In May, Ministry of Culture officially launched the “Taiwan Culture Base” program, highlighting 110 cultural sites across the country. To encourage public engagement, 83 travel routes have been developed in collaboration with local governments. In addition, 20 “Celebrity-Led Routes” will be introduced. The first route features Minister of Culture Li Yuan and acclaimed actress Lu Hsiao-fen (陸小芬).
Penghu is home to five designated cultural bases: the Huazai settlement (花宅聚落) on Wang’an Island, Tsai Ting-lan’s residence (蔡廷蘭進士第), the Nanliao community (龜壁港社), Penghu Bookstore (沿菊書店), and Isle.Travel Studio (離島出走工作室).
At Huazai, known for its flower-shaped terrain and traditional architecture, Li and Lu participated in a natural dyeing activity using local soil. At the historic home of Tsai Ting-lan, they made traditional Penghu winter solstice treats shaped like ingots or small animals. In the Nanliao community, a pioneer in community-building efforts, they explored local crafts and dressed as “masked warriors” in traditional sun-protective gear, immersing themselves in the daily life of local women.
Penghu Bookstore, located in a repurposed military village, invites visitors to write poems—selected entries are rewarded with a free coffee. Lu wrote, “Penghu is my second home,” reminiscing about the four films she shot there. Li fondly recalled collecting starfish during his university days, expressing a deep nostalgia for the island.
The final destination—Isle.Travel Studio—was postponed due to weather. Its founders are known for reviving traditional fish ovens and offering marine ecology tours, adding depth to Penghu’s cultural offerings.
In addition to exploring these selected cultural destinations in Penghu, Li and Lu also revisited key filming locations on the outlying island, including the historic Hsu residence (許氏古厝) in Guoye Village (菓葉村) from the film “Osmanthus Alley (桂花巷),” in which Lu starred in 1987.
