17 trips to Taiwan in 10 years!
Hidden behind sweet desserts and flashy attractions
Conveying the charm of a warm local Taiwanese trip!

Taiwan is one of the relatively close overseas travel destinations from Korea, and has been consistently popular thanks to its reasonable cost and short flight time.
When many people think of Taiwan, the first things that come to mind are sweet desserts like bubble tea, fengli cakes, and mango shaved ice, as well as flashy landmarks like Taipei 101 and the lantern-filled Shifen.
But the author says:
“Taiwan’s true charm lies in its people and their daily lives.”

If you miss the warm season, go to Taiwan

In Taiwan, a warm travel destination that I had chosen to escape the midwinter cold, I was more captivated by the smiles and kindness of the people than by the flashy tourist attractions.
From short trips to working holidays, to two-month stays, and eventually to 17 trips over 10 years, Taiwan became deeply ingrained in her life.
The author currently works as a Taiwan travel creator, sharing stories about Taiwan's flavors, scenery, and people.
"Taiwan is so affectionate" is a book that contains the records and memories she has accumulated.

The sticky air, the lively atmosphere of the airport at dawn, and the small consideration of the taxi driver who personally carried my suitcase with a bright smile slowly melted my frozen heart.
I had a feeling that maybe this trip would be better than I thought.


The place we arrived at was in front of someone else's house's fence.
All there was was a small cherry blossom tree.
A moment of laughter escaped my lips.
The old man, who was showing off this small scene with an excited expression like a child, was somehow cute and lovely.


When we arrived at the place, fireflies were really twinkling.
It was a quiet and fantastical landscape, like a scene from a fairy tale.
But what tickled my heart the most that day wasn't the twinkling of the fireflies I had been dreaming of.
It was the warmth of the owner who took the time for us without any hesitation when we first met.

In Taiwan, even if you don't have any plans or make a lot of mistakes, your trip will somehow continue.
Jinmen made me realize once again that what makes a trip truly travel-like is not the place, but the people you meet along the way.

When you get lost while traveling, instead of finding your way back, you go out and find new fun.
Thanks to this, I often find myself feeling great joy from unexpected encounters or places.
I feel like I've gotten closer to myself as I've learned to break free from the molds others have created, listen more closely to the voice in my heart, and fully experience the present moment.


Taichung was the city that brought back my color.
It is located in a corridor-style building with windows facing west.
As I strolled along the alleys lined with small, cozy shops, and entered the open park, my once dark vision was bathed in orange.
My time in Taichung also taught me the value of a quiet daily life, something I had previously only reacted to external stimuli.
It means that you can fill each day with your own rhythm, even if it's not loud or dazzlingly special.
I was able to learn to listen to the voice within me rather than the noise of the world.


The peak of the sunrise was shorter than expected.
As the sun rose, people left one by one, and the surroundings soon became quiet.
Rather, it seems that there was more beauty in that long, quiet time of waiting before the sun rose.
What really remained in my mind was not the rising sun, but the time I ran alone through the darkness, the cold air and excitement of waiting for the sun to rise among the crowd.

I would say that you should stay in Luwetan at least for one day.
For those who are looking for Luwetan, I hope you will stop for a moment, enjoy some leisure, and then pedal to your heart's content again.
I want to fully experience the time here, even the waiting we endure to see the sun set or rise.

When you travel, there are places that catch your eye the first time you visit them, and there are places that you have to spend a long time looking for to catch your eye.
For me, Jiufen was a place that I had to take the time to visit again to truly appreciate its charm.
If you think about it, traveling and meeting people have some subtle similarities.

On days when I have some free time, I decide to go out to the suburbs of the city and enjoy a bike tour.
On the Lake Ruetan bike path, I rode slowly while looking at the long lake.
Depending on the direction you run, you can see completely different lake scenery.
The Houfeng bike path offers a colorful array of scenery as you pass through long tunnels, railway bridges, and old wineries.
When I got tired from running, I laid out a mat on the grass and took out the snacks I had prepared in advance.
I lay down for a while, staring blankly at the sky, and then started pedaling again.

I let go of the pressure to leave behind something productive, the habits of meticulous planning and efficiency.
I moved as my heart desired each day.
Then, each day became more exciting and each moment became more vivid.
This is why travel is necessary even while traveling.
No matter how new a place you are in, if you stay in the same pattern, the excitement will quickly disappear.
Traveling isn't just about moving your living space.
I think that real travel is looking at the same place differently and walking the same path with a new feeling.

In Taiwan, you can often see traffic lights that blink green for 90 seconds, even at short crosswalks that seem like they only take about fifteen steps.
This is always an unfamiliar sight to me, who always crosses the street quickly, not knowing when the light will turn red.
I like the leisurely feeling I accidentally discovered in the middle of a big city, so I just sit there and watch the numbers on the traffic lights ticking away by the second.


Taiwan's leisurely pace is deeply ingrained in the lives of its locals.
The habit of enjoying anything slowly and for a long time has taken hold.
Also, there is no need to hurry your steps here.
Even in front of slow traffic lights, in front of a fruit shop in a crowded market, or inside a crowded MRT station.

--- From the text