By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported
What sparks can fly when reading meets travel? Now, when you visit Penghu, you can donate, swap, or borrow books to add more imagination to your trip, leaving behind your love and sharing it with others you meet along the way.
Bring a book along on your Penghu trip for even more extended fun!(Photo provided by Magnum Editorial Department)
Travelers who wish to take part in the “Travel with a Book – Penghu’s Storytelling Village” initiative can donate, swap, or borrow books at two designated locations: the Makung Airport Tourist Service Center information desk and the Penghu Living Museum gift shop. As long as visitors bring a book on their trip, within 7 days of arrival, they can show their flight (or ferry) ticket stub, sign at the book-swap location, and donate one book (limit one) to exchange for another. The book you receive is a token of exchange and does not need to be returned. If you don’t have a book to bring, the service desk also offers a book-borrowing service for the duration of your stay. However, you must register for return at the book-swap location before departure. When swapping or borrowing books, you may add marginalia or stamp your personal mark or signature on the title page to leave a trace of your soul to share with others you connect with.
Zhang Longcheng, director of the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration, said: “Nowadays, many people’s travel styles have shifted toward leisure-focused stays. Many backpackers abroad always travel with books, which is something Penghu can learn from and promote. Coming to Penghu, why not find a quiet place to read and relax thoroughly? Isn’t that wonderful? With Penghu’s conditions, it can definitely become a leader in this kind of travel experience.” The activity is scheduled to run until March 31, 2012. Books donated by visitors should be in good condition, without missing pages or damage, and whether or not they contain marginalia is acceptable. However, religious scriptures, exam prep books, textbooks, reference books, promotional materials, magazines, computer books, comic books, rental bookstore publications, audiovisual materials, and romance novels are excluded.
Makung Airport Tourist Service Center Information Desk
Phone: 06-922-8115
Service hours: 8:00–18:00 No days off
Penghu Living Museum
Phone: 06-921-0405 ext. 6111
Business hours: 9:00–12:00, 13:00–16:30 Closed on Thursdays