President-elect Tsai Ing-wen says the central government will launch a new tourism project after her May 20 inauguration. The project aims to present the culture of the Hakka people, an ethnic Chinese group with its own language and culture.
The project will cover the route of Taiwan’s Provincial Highway 3, a 437 kilometer-long highway that runs through many Hakka mountain towns in Western Taiwan. Tsai, who has Hakka ancestry herself, said she believes the highway can connect travelers with the rich Hakka culture.
“The most important thing for us is to acknowledge the cultural significance of Provincial Highway 3," said Tsai.
"Many people have probably forgotten about the Hakka people’s culture during years of industrial development. But [this project] will allow us to experience the real local culture along the Highway, with an emphasis on living, eating, and traveling at a more leisurely pace.”