Recently, a video posted by a tourist from Beijing sharing his reflections on a trip to Taiwan sparked heated discussions online. In the video, the man — who described himself as an “old Beijinger” — said the visit completely changed his view of the island. “That’s what it really means to live with dignity,” he remarked, his tone carrying both surprise and admiration.
A different feeling from the moment he arrived
From the moment he landed in Taiwan, he sensed that life there moved to a different rhythm. The airport’s spotless facilities impressed him, but what truly surprised him was the people’s warmth. When he took a taxi from the airport, the driver noticed he was a visitor and decided to take a scenic route through the city to show him Taipei’s glittering skyline — without charging a cent more. “I felt embarrassed by such kindness,” the traveler admitted, adding that it was something he had rarely experienced in years of travel.
Hospitality that felt like home
His stay at a local homestay left an equally deep impression. Each morning, the host offered him homemade pineapple cakes, a beloved Taiwanese pastry, along with freshly made soy milk and you tiao — crispy fried dough sticks commonly eaten for breakfast. The warmth of these simple gestures moved him. When he offered to pay extra, the host smiled and waved it off: “Guests are always welcome. This is nothing.”
In their conversations, he discovered that the host was an ordinary office worker earning about US$2,000 a month, but living comfortably. “Healthcare in Taiwan is almost free,” the host explained. “Children receive educational subsidies, and there’s a pension for retirement. Life isn’t so stressful.” For the visitor, it was striking to see how ordinary people could live with such contentment and balance — something he found missing back home.
Kindness in the countryside
In the countryside, he found the same sense of dignity and kindness. A 70-year-old farmer he met said he received more than US$1,000 each month in pension benefits. “Farming is just exercise for me,” the man laughed as he pointed out the walking paths that connected the fields. Despite his age, he still helped lost tourists find their way, treating strangers like neighbors.
The traveler also noticed how well the rural areas were maintained. “Some villages are cleaner than cities,” he said, describing tree-lined parks with smooth wheelchair ramps and accessible walkways. “Even wheelchair users can move about freely.” At the night markets, the friendliness of vendors moved him even more. “One stall owner saw I was from out of town and insisted on adding a braised egg to my bowl for free,” he recalled. “It was a small thing, but it warmed my heart.”
Rediscovering warmth and dignity
Summing up his journey, he reflected: “That’s true civilization and real prosperity. Most importantly, people live with dignity.” He said the trip “cleansed the heart that had been clouded for decades” and that Taiwan’s hospitality “reminded me of what Beijing’s old alleyways felt like when I was a child.”
After the video went viral, it sparked a wide discussion on social media. One netizen shared a similar experience after visiting Taiwan twice last year: “Prices are reasonable, the food is healthy and delicious, and people are incredibly kind and considerate. Every day there felt joyful, as if both body and mind had been completely refreshed.”
While opinions differed on how representative the video might be, most agreed that stories like these reveal something precious — moments of sincerity that transcend politics and highlight the quiet strength of everyday human kindness. They remind people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait that shared decency and compassion are what truly define civilization.
Translated by Eva
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