Stay overnight in Hsinchu – A new travel passport makes its debut

▲ Summer’s top pick: “Stay Overnight in Hsinchu.” (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu City Government)

Reported by Lee Chieh-jung / Hsinchu

“Where’s the best place to go this summer? Stay overnight in Hsinchu!” This summer, the Hsinchu City Government has teamed up with local hotels and inns to launch the “Stay Overnight in Hsinchu” stamp-collecting passport. The initiative combines hidden alleyway cuisine, YouBike tours, and an exciting lineup of upcoming international events such as the International Kite Festival, Hot Air Balloon Festival at Qingqing Grassland, Midsummer Arts & Culture Season, Children’s Film Festival, and Green Grassland Film Festival. These family-friendly cultural experiences invite the public to embark on a “Hsinchu City Adventure,” enjoying premium accommodations, delectable street food, and a vibrant array of cultural performances.

Mayor Lin Chih-chien stated that since taking office, he has been actively working to enhance the city’s visibility by combining infrastructure development with cultural events to create attractive tourism highlights, hoping to let everyone “see Hsinchu City” in a new light. Taking the sunset seascape at Hsinchu Fishing Port as an example, the city government has vigorously promoted the “Hsinchu Fisherman’s Wharf Project,” including the planning of the “Nanliao Sports Park,” greening of windbreak forests, creation of a family-friendly beach, and dredging of the fishing harbor to restore the waterfront charm. In August, the Hsinchu City International Kite Festival will be held at the brand-new “International Kite Competition Venue,” featuring thrilling competitions among international kite flyers. The hot air balloon event, which has helped boost the fame of Xiangshan, will take to the skies again at the end of July, complemented by a major upgrade of the Qingqing Grassland landscape project, offering visitors a whole new perspective of Hsinchu City.

Mayor Lin pointed out that Hsinchu City offers a diverse range of summer family cultural events, such as the Zhujian Traditional Music Festival, Children’s Film Festival, and Green Grassland Film Festival, making the holidays both fulfilling and lively for both children and adults. Mayor Lin also recently published a gourmet guidebook titled *The Mayor Takes You to Eat*, featuring 51 recommended eateries across the city, helping residents and tourists discover hidden culinary gems tucked away in local alleys — the “Michelin stars of the backstreets.”

In addition to promoting local cuisine through the book, the Hsinchu City Government has today unveiled the “Stay Overnight in Hsinchu” passport. The program invites 17 local hotels and the featured eateries in the guidebook to participate in a stamp-collecting activity, along with exclusive accommodation discounts. Collect six stamps to receive a free copy of the *The Mayor Takes You to Eat* book. The goal is to combine the rich selection of family-friendly cultural events during the summer vacation with the city’s YouBike system, offering the public a carefully curated two-day, one-night trip where they can “eat well, stay well, and have fun.” The aim is to establish Hsinchu City as the top domestic travel destination for summer vacations.

The launch press conference for the stamp-collecting passport today was attended by representatives from over ten hotels, including General Manager Wang Tsai-cheng of Ambassador Hotel Hsinchu and General Manager Chen Chin-tung of The Landis Hsinchu, as well as popular local food vendors such as bakery owner Chen Chao-ching, health breakfast shop owner Lü Lü-shui, spicy fish cake vendor Chen Yü-fu, shaved ice shop owner Chang Tsung-he, and Southeast Asian restaurant owner Li Yi-ting. City councilors Huang Mei-hui, Cheng Kuei-yuan, and Hsu Wen-tung were also present to support the event.

The Hsinchu City Government’s Industrial & Commercial Investment Promotion Association explained that the “2017 Stay Overnight in Hsinchu” stamp-collecting passport can be obtained at local hotels, restaurants, and various city service points (such as train stations, transit hubs, and the first-floor lobby of the city government). By following the stamp collection instructions in the passport, participants can receive a free copy of *The Mayor Takes You to Eat*, making it easy for everyone to explore Hsinchu City and savor its most authentic local flavors.