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Celebrating Tainan 400: Tainan Featured on the Globally Renowned JRNY Travel Magazine Website

Posted Date:2024-01-04

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To draw more European tourists to visit Taiwan, the Tainan City Government's Tourism Bureau partnered with the London Office of the Tourism Administration, MOTC, to extend an invitation to the prestigious JRNY Travel Magazine from the UK. The magazine was invited to Taiwan to conduct interviews in Tainan, the birthplace of Taiwan's rich history and culture. Under the theme "Tainan Time Machine," JRNY embarked on a special project to delve into Tainan's historic landmarks, including Chikan Tower, Confucius Temple, Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple and Shennong Street. They also indulged in Tainan's unique cuisine at Xufeng Hao near Kailong Temple and Zhu Xin Ju on Xinyi Street. The feature report lauds Tainan for seamlessly blending the cultural heritage of the Han Chinese, indigenous peoples, and the Dutch, fusing the old with the new to create an enchanting allure. It's as if one is transported through time, with visitors bathed in the radiance of the city's rich historical tapestry. The expected coverage on the international travel magazine's website is anticipated to attract more international tourists and photography enthusiasts to Tainan, allowing them to steep themselves in the splendid cultural and tourism heritage of Tainan's 400-year history.

Director Hsieh Chang-ming of the London Office of the Tourism Administration noted that since the post-pandemic lifting of border restrictions, there has been a strong and steady growth in the number of international tourists visiting Taiwan. The Tourism Administration's goal of welcoming 6 million international visitors by 2023 has been exceeded ahead of schedule, with over 6.4 million international visitors expected to visit Taiwan. To further attract European tourists to visit Taiwan, the internationally renowned UK travel magazine JRNY Travel Magazine has been specially invited to experience Taiwan's natural, cultural and culinary highlights, with the aim of sharing the experiences and discoveries in Taiwan with readers around the world. Considering Tainan's role as a historical and cultural epicenter of the nation, a joint initiative between the Tainan City Government's Tourism Bureau and the London Office of the Tourism Administration has been launched. This collaboration has culminated in the "Tainan Time Machine" feature to present Taiwan's finest tourist attractions. The aim is to enhance European travelers' awareness of Taiwan's stunning natural beauty and its deep historical and cultural roots.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che emphasized that Tainan is not only the first city founded in Taiwan but also the birthplace of Taiwan's history and culture. It boasts breathtaking landscapes and, through the combined efforts of the government and the private sector, preserves numerous historical sites while incorporating a fascinating mix of indigenous, Han, Dutch and Japanese cultural elements. The municipal government has been striving to establish the tourism brand image of "If you haven't been to Tainan, you haven't truly been to Taiwan." Local businesses and historical preservation groups have actively developed the local cultural and creative industry and created distinctive compelling travel experiences, transforming Tainan into not only a historical and cultural ancient capital but also a city brimming with innovative energy. This allows visiting media to experience the rich historical and cultural charm as if they were riding a time machine through the blending of old and new. Mayor Huang also expressed gratitude for the attention and support from various central government agencies and the Tourism Administration, especially as Tainan approaches its 400th anniversary in 2024. Major national hallmark events such as the Taiwan Lantern Festival, Creative Expo Taiwan and Taiwan Design Exhibition are planned to be held in Tainan, adding to the city’s tourism appeal. The municipal government is hopeful that through exposure in globally recognized travel media, it can broaden its international tourism appeal, draw more visitors to discover Tainan's unique allure and extend a warm invitation to international travelers to explore and share their experiences with the world.

Director-General Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau highlighted that JRNY Travel Magazine is a highly esteemed travel publication globally, acclaimed for its detailed travel narratives and exceptional travel photography and videography. The magazine, a recipient of the prestigious TravMedia Awards, a leading global travel media network, caters to an audience of international travelers and photography aficionados. On their visit to Tainan, the magazine team visited iconic sites like Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple, Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple and Shennong Street. Through expert-led tours, they delved into the city’s architectural history from the Dutch colonial era, learned about Confucian teachings at the Confucius Temple, and explored the unique temple cultures dedicated to Guan Gong and Yue Lao at the Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple. Additionally, they experienced local gastronomy, including specialty fruit juices and Michelin-recommended dishes made from local, seasonal ingredients at places like Xufeng Hao near Kailong Temple and Zhu Xin Ju on Xinyi Street. Their exploration of Tainan’s cultural and historical landmarks, along with its ancient streets and lanes, deepened their understanding of the city's enchanting appeal and its rich cultural tapestry. JRNY Travel Magazine writer Sarah Gillespie lauded
Tainan for its unique blend of Han Chinese, indigenous peoples, and the Dutch cultures, merging the old and new into a captivating charm. She likened the experience to traveling through a time machine, immersing herself in a vivid historical tapestry that felt like being enveloped in a time capsule. The Tainan City Tourism Bureau will also collaborate with central government agencies to enhance marketing efforts targeting different international markets and continuously improve the international-friendly tourism environment, with the goal of establishing Tainan as the premier destination for international tourists visiting Taiwan. In 2024, Tainan is celebrating its 400th anniversary, and this year promises to be filled with exciting events. Particularly noteworthy is the return of the nationally acclaimed Lantern Festival to Tainan. We extend a warm welcome to travelers from Europe to visit Tainan and experience the most authentic Taiwan journey amidst the festivities.

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