Hand-building DIY, clam digging in the water – 20 local tours to deeply explore the beauty of Taiwan

▲ Tainan Sicao Green Tunnel (Photo / Reporter Zhou Chen-geng)

Reporter Chen Hanyin / Comprehensive Report

The OTOP local specialty tour programs, jointly planned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Small and Medium Enterprise Administration and partner tourism operators, allow travelers wishing to explore the charming small-town atmosphere of Taiwan to also visit Tainan City’s “Sicao Ecological Green Tunnel,” known as Taiwan’s mini Amazon River, where they can leisurely ride bamboo rafts, or head to Shoufeng Township’s Liuchuan Fishing Farm to enjoy the cool, fun activity of “clam digging” in the water. With up to 20 in-depth travel routes across Taiwan including its outlying islands, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the beauty of the precious island.

In recent years, factory tourism has gained popularity. Compared to merely sightseeing, travelers increasingly prefer hands-on experiences. This year’s OTOP local specialty tour programs feature the century-old ceramic factory Xinwang Ji Ci in Yingge District, New Taipei City, offering a variety of DIY courses such as hand-building pottery. In Toyota Settlement, Hualien County, visitors can try DIY courses at workshops like Fengzhuo Jade Workshop, where they can experience transforming raw stones into smooth, beautiful jade – and even take home one-of-a-kind souvenirs.