"Yushan Hostel" Announces Indefinite Closure; Yu Guoxin: Protecting Taiwan and Abolishing Nuclear Power Can't Wait

Reported by Reporter You T-Ru / Interview & Report

The well-known old hotel "Yushan Hostel" in Chiayi has announced an indefinite closure starting today. Yesterday evening (16th), Yushan Hostel's official fan page posted online that, in support of the anti-nuclear movement, the hostel will cease operations indefinitely. Yu Guoxin, the person in charge of Yushan Hostel, stated: "The closure is to allow all full-time staff to participate in the anti-nuclear campaign. As for their salaries after the closure, I will figure out a way."


▲ The Southern Taiwan social movement hub "Yushan Hostel" announces an indefinite closure starting today.

Built in the 1950s, Yushan Hostel was originally a small lodging for traveling peddlers in the mountains and at one point even became a local venue for illicit activities. After being taken over by prominent southern social activist Yu Guoxin, Yushan Hostel transformed into an underground cultural landmark in southern Taiwan. Over the years, Yu Guoxin has worked to save historic buildings across Chiayi, and under the lingering scent of cypress wood, Yushan Hostel began selling fair-trade coffee while preserving its traditional compartmentalized layout and architectural style, opening its doors to more travelers interested in Taiwanese culture.

In an exclusive interview with ETtoday Eastday News Cloud, Yu Guoxin said that to support the anti-nuclear movement, all Yushan Hostel staff began a "No Nukes Walk" around Taiwan on October 10th, starting from the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao, Yilan. Currently, the main walking group consists of 24 people. After six days of walking, the team has moved from Hualien to Taitung and is expected to reach Dulan tomorrow. Another team will also head to Lanyu (Orchid Island) to promote the anti-nuclear message on foot.

"We walk quietly, without making loud noises. Walking is just our way of getting closer to more people," Yu Guoxin said. Choosing to walk as a means of expressing opposition to nuclear power is intended to help more people understand the process and to deliver a deeper message about Taiwan. During the walk around Taiwan, the No Nukes Walk is also recruiting "one-day walkers." Anyone who supports the cause can follow the current walking progress on the Hongya Bookstore and Yushan Hostel Facebook pages and join the walking team.

"Actually, it’s not just Yushan Hostel—Hongya Bookstore and Er Tong Xing Liu Qi Er are also barely holding on." Managing three cultural venues simultaneously, Yu Guoxin has devoted all his energy to supporting the anti-nuclear cause. He himself is now struggling to keep things afloat. Regarding how he will pay employees’ salaries after the closure, Yu Guoxin said, "I will find a way to ensure they can continue to live without worries."

Regarding the No Nukes Walk, Yu Guoxin mentioned that besides those participating in the full journey as part of the main walking group, they are also in need of communication liaisons to spread the message and volunteers to support logistics and supplies. The entire anti-nuclear walk is currently planned to continue until January 1st, when the anti-nuclear team will surround Ketagalan Boulevard to make a final statement. "We can’t wait any longer—Taiwan needs us to take action," Yu Guoxin said. Yushan Hostel will remain closed indefinitely until the necessary actions are completed.