Smiling Taiwan 319 Towns initiative officially launches

The Smiling Taiwan 319 Towns campaign has entered its 10th year. CommonWealth Magazine, the Tourism Bureau, and alliance companies have once again launched the "Smiling Taiwan 319 Towns+" event and distributed 1 million Smile Passports, calling on millions of people to smile and set off again. At the same time, through selecting local micro-businesses, they have formed the "Smile Alliance" to provide travelers with friendly, high-quality service. 319 Towns+ represents Taiwan’s 368 townships, cities, and districts, including the new five municipalities.

In 2001, Hsu Ch'i-hsiang, then a medical student, became the first person to visit all 319 towns in just three months. He is now a doctor at Taipei Medical University and often volunteers his time during holidays to provide medical services in remote areas. Kaohsiung residents Lin Chin-chuan and Kong Su-chen were the first family to complete the journey through all 319 towns. During their visit to Wufeng Township in Hsinchu County, they encountered Typhoon Nari but also fell in love with the area's beautiful mountains and rivers. The wandering couple known as Little Rabbit and Shui Se first met at Jingtong Railway Station while traveling through the 319 Towns, eventually becoming close, falling in love, and starting a family together. A college student from National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, nicknamed "Hitchhiker Ai," accidentally obtained a Smile Passport and decided to complete the 319 Towns journey by hitchhiking, which allowed them to truly discover the beauty of Taiwan and experience the friendliness of its people.