Through the “Youth Trekker’s Wanted” campaign, the National Youth Commission (NYC) has over the past three years awarded travel funds to nearly 50 youths from around the world to help them achieve their travel dreams in Taiwan. NYC is again welcoming international youth to Taiwan for the 4th “Youth Trekker’s Wanted Campaign”. Applications must be submitted by December 11th, 2011. We encourage all international youths aged 18~30 ( between Jan 1st, 1981 ~ Dec 31, 1993) who love to travel and share the traveling experiences to submit their itinerary of Taiwan for consideration. Submitted itineraries must be 10 days or longer, center on a theme chosen by the applicant with travel passion. Once completed, please upload your itineraries to our official website. We will award the best 20 entrants with US$2,000 ~ US$3,000, good toward making your Taiwan dream trips come true!

Taiwan’s film industry has flourished in recent years. The country’s beautiful scenery and friendly people inspired Roux Jean-Mathieu’s trek plan to Taiwan. Roux hails from France’s city of romance - Paris and is fascinated by Hou Hsiao-hsien’s 2011 release Millennium Mambo. He was eager to see the “real” Taiwan beyond the silver screen. Roux used Taiwan’s films as his map to find the aesthetic rhythm for his journey. He rode a bicycle to experience the Taiwan portrayed in Island Etude. Following in Director Hou’s footsteps, he found peace and beauty in Jiufen, the city featured in the film City of Sadness. Heading to Taiwan’s southernmost county, Hengchu, Roux visited A-Chia’s house as depicted in the recent film Cape No.7. Apart from explorations of “Qing-Cao” alley and “Bo-Pi” village, he lit incense in Longshan Temple and experienced the milieu found in the film Monga. Roux said, every time he watched a Taiwanese film he discovered more unfamiliar places in Taiwan that he would like to visit. With Taiwanese film as his guide, he experienced the real life of Taiwanese people and discovered Taiwan’s many intricate facets.

Rich culture … Lovely scenery … Friendly people. Would you like a grand tour of Taiwan? Enjoy your Taiwan holiday in your own creative way!

Please visit our official activity website: http://youthtravel.tw/youthtrekker for more details.
French trekker Roux visited Longshan Temple, featured in the recent box office hit Monga and one of Taipei’s most important religious sites.
Roux exploreed a recreated gold mine shaft at Jinguashi’s Gold Ecological Park.