To promote the beauty of Hakka culture on Taiwan Romantic Route 3 for domestic and overseas tourists, the Hakka Affairs Council has partnered with CommonWealth Magazine to publish three new volumes of an ongoing series titled “Roaming Along Taiwan Romantic Route 3 (浪漫臺三線款款行),” for which a book launch was held on March 26 at the Taipei Artist Village. 

Hakka Affairs Council Minister Lee Yung-de noted that, under the cooperation between the Council and the magazine, a total of ten volumes have been released over the past two years. Lee also expressed his hope that, through these books, readers will become more motivated to visit the historic trails, century-old shops, and ancient temples along the Hakka-themed Taiwan Romantic Route 3.

Three travel experts — Lee Ting-yao (李亭瑤), a tour guide with My Taiwan Tour, Joshua Samuel Brown, an author of Lonely Planet Taiwan, and Rou Lu (肉魯), a travel blogger — attended the March 26 book launch. Invited to share their experiences and favorite spots at different Hakka villages, they highly recommended readers to use the three new volumes as a travel guide while taking a trip along Taiwan Romantic Route 3. 

The three respective themes of the newly released books are: the Raknsu Selu Trail, the revival of centennial stores, and the religious heritage of Taiwan.

The Council commissioned the Taiwan Thousand Miles Trail Association to conduct a one-year field research project on the Raknus Selu Trail, which combines indigenous Atayal and Hakka words for “camphor” and “path” to collectively describe the historic trails on Taiwan Romantic Route 3. A 15-trail selection reflecting collective Hakka memories, nature and ecology, history and culture, and people and industry are introduced in the first volume.

The second volume details fifteen stores that have survived over one hundred years and represent different aspects of the Hakka lifestyle. The third volume on the religious practices in Hakka communities will focus on ancient temples, historic chapels, and natural sites known for their tranquility.

Four unique travel routes were also unveiled at the book launch. Readers can now explore trails, stores, and sites along Taiwan Romantic Route 3 and experience the elegance of Hakka culture with the help of maps and QR codes that come with the books.

More information about the books can be found here.

Reference: https://www.hakka.gov.tw/Content/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=41076&LanguageType=ENG