The most touching journey: Winners of the "Discover Heartfelt Stays" grand prize announced

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

The "Discover Heartfelt Stays" public essay competition, held by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China, saw a total of 300 outstanding entries competing against each other. After online public voting and rigorous evaluation by experts, scholars, and mystery shoppers, the article category was won by "The Vagabond of Ming Mountain in Xitou," while the video category was topped by "Yunshan Shui 'A Journey of Happiness,'" which featured Yunshan Shui Xiaozhu Homestay.

The participants of the article group “The Vagabonds of Xitou Mingshan” conveyed the cozy warmth of their accommodations in a unique, personal confession style that deeply moved people. One of them was even scouted by Mingshan Guesthouse and became a full-time employee. The first place in the video group went to a Japanese traveler who filmed the Yunshan Shuixiao Homestay in the video “Yunshan Shuixiao – A Journey of Happiness.” This video begins as a historical reminiscence journey of young Japanese individuals, skillfully integrating the charm and cuisine of Jiufen, the features of the century-old stone-wall guesthouse, and ends with a hint of a sweet love story that leaves viewers wanting more.

The “Discover Heartfelt Stays” campaign is the second wave of activities following the “Happy Stays – A Hundred Touching Moments” “Stay at My Home, the Most Moving” business PK event, except this time submissions come from the public. Through videos and articles, participants highlighted homestays that moved them. The campaign ran from April 1st to August 15th, featuring a total of 300 impressive entries—258 in the article group and 42 in the video group.