Foreigner Takes on Taiwan Madness: Tree-Climbing and S-Reverse Parking Among the Challenges

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

A travel competition show co-produced by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and TLC Travel & Living Channel, "Taiwan Extreme Challenge," brings 15 international contestants across the ocean to Taiwan. Over the course of two months, they take on the island’s most iconic activities. The contestants voted Taroko Gorge as the “most eye-opening attraction,” the Green Island loop race as the “most dreamlike challenge,” and the Pingtung tree-climbing competition as the “most physically demanding folk skill.” Meanwhile, their pick for the “most effective distress signal” was a simple hug.

"Taiwan Extreme Challenge" selected 15 foreign contestants to explore all corners of Taiwan, with one contestant eliminated in each episode. The challenges include performing Taiwanese opera in Hokkien in Yilan, cycling through Tarako Gorge in Hualien, experiencing hot springs and sunrise in Green Island, trying out light aircraft in eastern Taiwan, surviving on a deserted island in Penghu, and mastering both S-reverse parking and parallel parking—skills essential for getting a driver’s license in Taiwan. The final elimination round takes contestants to the mountain town of Jiufen for a scavenger hunt involving climbing and sky lanterns in Pingxi, before diving deep into Taiwan’s vibrant night market culture.

TLC Travel & Living Channel will premiere the show on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8 PM on November 12, followed by weekly broadcasts every Monday at 8 PM across Asia starting November 14. Viewers can guess who will be eliminated or who will win each week, with a chance to win prizes for correct predictions. The most accurate predictor can even win a 3-day, 2-night free trip to Taiwan’s outlying islands.

Official website: www.tlc-funtaiwan.com