Dong Mingxiang: Don’t follow the route from “Island Etude” to cycle around Taiwan!

Released in 2007, “Island Etude” was written and directed by Chen Huai’en. The story follows a student, played by Dong Mingxiang, as he cycles around Taiwan and the experiences he encounters along the way. Because the plot resonates deeply with human nature, the film was a box office success; aside from sparking a bike and round-the-island travel craze in Taiwan, it also encouraged many to pursue their personal dreams.

“Taiwan is not only beautiful, but also a kingdom of the bicycle industry. Many backpackers actually come specifically to Taiwan to buy bikes before starting their island cycling journeys.”

According to Dong Mingxiang, some backpackers were already planning to challenge themselves in Taiwan, but many mainland Chinese tourists were influenced by the movie to visit; these travelers not only hoped to follow the movie’s route for exploration, but would also ask Dong Mingxiang to cycle part of the way with them.

▲ Fleeting reflections floating on the lake surface, dancing with you / Photographed at Dapeng Bay, Pingtung

Cycling is a healthy sport and also a pace of travel well suited to Taiwan.

Dong Mingxiang said that many people enjoy challenging themselves to cycle from Taipei to Kaohsiung in one day, or even aim to complete the entire island loop in record time; but in reality, these feats test time, willpower, and physical strength. On the contrary,taking it slow with a “slow travel” approach is the real way to get to know Taiwan.

▲ Untitled / Photographed at Shuangxi, Buyi Pavilion

Dong Mingxiang believes that Taiwan actually has public transport like trains and buses that can be combined with cycling. As long as the primary principle of “safety” is met, everyone can plan their island loop according to their own stamina and pace.

“Cycling around the island doesn’t have to follow the traditional route, or be planned strictly according to the movie’s storyline, nor does it have to be limited to ‘cycling.’ You can combine trains with stop-and-go cycling to create your own personalized route and write a different island story. Cycling around the island isn’t just a ritual — it’s about experiencing Taiwan closely during the journey, making friends with the people you meet along the way, and finding yourself through the trip. That’s the true meaning of an island loop.”

When everyone cycles around the island at their own pace, they can write their own stories and experiences. Some stories particularly moved Dong Mingxiang.

Dong Mingxiang said there was once a girl who was facing the collapse of a relationship and difficulties at work, putting her in a tough spot in life. But after watching “Island Etude,” she resolutely decided to cycle around Taiwan counterclockwise from Taipei.

After a long struggle, this girl completed all the routes featured in “Island Etude”; but when she was about to finish the last leg, she had an accident in a tunnel in Yilan. She almost got hit by an oncoming truck, and her serious injuries prevented her from completing the final section.

Later, when this girl met Dong Mingxiang, she said:“Although I fell just short of the end, I realized at that moment that where you fall, you must get back up. I will keep trying!”

Now, this girl has picked herself up again and has her own career and new life in Beijing, but she still insists that one day she will return to Taiwan to fulfill her dream of cycling around the island.

▲ Quiet moonlight, moving clouds, starry skies shining over the land!/ Photographed at Alishan, Chiayi

Not just this island-cycling girl — there are so, so many stories that continue to unfold after “Island Etude,” with impacts beyond what anyone imagined.

Dong Mingxiang said that many members of the “Island Etude” film crew also gained a deeper appreciation for “Taiwan” after the movie and threw themselves into it with even more passion. One crew member, Hua Tianhao, carried forward the enthusiasm for “island cycling” and expanded it further, eventually successfully producing “Gentle Pioneers – Old Men Riding Around Taiwan,” allowing the whole of Taiwan to once again experience unique inspiration through the theme of island cycling.

▲ We find ourselves caught struggling within the crevices, nowhere to hide. Yet it is. Such an illusion. / Photographed at Dadong Art Center, Kaohsiung

Although the movie gave many people the courage to cycle around Taiwan, Dong Mingxiang still wants to ask:“You’ve successfully cycled around the island once — then what?”When Dong Mingxiang set out on the journey again, he discovered many heartbreaking truths.

"The year after the movie was released, I revisited various parts of Taiwan, but found that the western coastline had shrunk and changed the most severely; the east was also damaged due to the Miramar Resort."

"Taiwan’s environment is constantly changing, and many places can no longer return to their former beauty. When we were filming 'Island Etude,' there was originally a planned shooting location, but a week before filming began, we discovered it had already been damaged by human activity, so we had to find a new one. Even back then, we could feel how seriously Taiwan had been harmed."

▲ The loneliness you see is the island in my heart. / Taken in Kenting

Dong Mingxiang said earnestly that while many people saw Taiwan’s destruction and pollution through 'Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above,' that might only be a small part of the picture.

"Traveling with a group often means you only see the beautiful side and can’t witness the true reality."Through Dong Mingxiang’s explorations, he not only witnessed more of the environmental damage Taiwan faces but also made more friends. According to friends from the Gaoshan tribe, there are even more beautiful sights in Taiwan’s high mountains that are gradually disappearing, especially after typhoons, when the situation worsens.

▲ Cat / Taken in Taitung, Likavong Tribe

Aside from natural disasters, excessive human interference has led Dong Mingxiang to rarely visit popular spots like Orchid Island, Cingjing Farm, and Kenting.
Faced with a changing Taiwan, Dong Mingxiang chooses to explore more actively and uses words, poetry, and photos to gradually document Taiwan’s beauty, hoping to inspire more people to work together to preserve Taiwan’s appearance.

▲ Breathe softly, peace surrounds. Light is dancing, air sneaks in gently. All is a vast tranquility of unadorned simplicity. / Taken in Taitung, Huoshui Lake

From 'Island Etude' back then, to 'Senior Riders – Old Men Riding Around Taiwan,' 'Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above,' more and more people have come to see Taiwan’s beauty and sorrow and have devoted themselves to environmental issues.

More people are also using their own feet and eyes to personally experience the land of Taiwan that nurtures all life. Many young viewers from back then, after years of training, have developed the ability to take on the challenge of cycling around the island and have achieved their dreams.

Because it’s never too late to love Taiwan by cycling around it.

"Some things, if not done now, may never happen." — Movie 'Island Etude'

▲ All around is the dazzling glow of city lights, yet my eyes reveal a sense of confusion. / Taken in Beidong, Naoshibar