Foreign students try tea frying and spinning tops for the first time—gather your group to explore New Taipei and win cash prizes!

By Reporter Zhu T?man, New Taipei Report

On the 26th, the New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau recruited both domestic and international players through a team registration method, providing substantial travel funds that allow visitors to explore New Taipei City in their own way, dive deep into various attractions, and even have a chance to win a NT$25,000 prize. So far, three foreign guys have already completed a round of the experience and were amazed by the temples and sky lantern culture. Another team will set off in August to showcase Foreign Young Power, while travel expert Roulu also shared travel tips on-site.

% and the excited participants tried the experiences at the press conference site (Photo / Reporter Zhu T?rong, Landscape Record)

The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau launched the “New Taipei Accommodation & Travel Fun – Show Your Style!” campaign, recruiting international students in Taiwan and travel enthusiasts to form teams. Selected international students can receive a NT$4,000 travel fund, with 20 spots available. Registration ends on August 30. From August 1 to 15, the bureau is recruiting travel enthusiasts. Those who love to travel and know how to have fun are welcome. Upon departure, they can receive a NT$7,000 travel fund and also participate in the “New Taipei City Travel Enthusiasts’ Private Itinerary Vote.” The most popular team can win an additional NT$25,000 prize.

New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Li Sichuan stated that he hopes this event will encourage modern tourism to develop towards more in-depth experiences, and allow personal travel styles to shine through cultural and scenic elements. New Taipei City Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Lai Yuting said the event allows free registration, without restrictions on gender or nationality, and lets tourists plan their own itineraries. This showcases diverse travel styles from different life backgrounds, professions, and cultures. The bureau also hopes to leverage social networks so that more domestic and international tourists can follow the players’ footsteps to explore the beauty of New Taipei.

% The excited participants tried calligraphy, storytelling, and even observed the delicate tea-making process.

The international students attending today’s press conference were Eric from Australia, Owen Bai from Morocco, and Kurt from Saint Lucia. Eric visited Shifen and showed great interest in sky lanterns. Owen Bai delved into temple culture and found it fascinating that Taiwanese temples enshrine both Buddhist and Taoist deities together. Kurt went to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf and was captivated by the seaside scenery at sunset, filling his tablet with photos of the sunset.

% The international students (pictured from left), Owen Bai, and Kurt shared their experiences of visiting New Taipei City at the press conference.

Eric and Owen Bai also demonstrated real Wing Chun kung fu moves at the press conference. Officials from the Tourism Bureau also invited representative international students present to try Gongwan班长’s skillful tea frying in Pinglin, as well as the fixed-spot skillful spinning tops in Sanxia, and Xushi’s skillful noodle-making in Shiding. The owners of Liangchen Meijin Homestay in Shuangxi also came to provide homemade bread for everyone to taste and even invited guests to make bread together at the homestay.

% The participants showed off their strength and speed during the challenges.