International youths visiting Donggang, Pingtung County, are not merely touring the harbor and eating seafood. By burning incense, casting divination blocks and preparing rice soup, they experience Taiwan through religion and food. Local youths are also trained to introduce their hometown in foreign languages and lead visitors through fishing villages, markets and temples.

The tours take participants into Donggang, Linbian and Liuqiu. Young guides explain Liuqiu's trails, beach cleanups, sea-glass crafts and worship practices at Biyun Temple in ways international visitors can understand, testing both their language ability and local knowledge.

Indian participant Girish Ningappa Mathad burned incense and asked deities questions, learning how religious rituals help Taiwanese people face uncertainty. Preparing traditional rice soup also showed him how fishing harbors and markets connect with family dining tables.

Sand-crab catching, chairs woven with fishing line and seaside sunset banquets can all become stories for introducing Taiwan. Through Chinese walks, foreign-language tours and field practice, local youths learn to present their communities while rediscovering their cultural value.

The Youth Development Administration works with nonprofit groups and higher-education institutions to operate 100 youth travel spots across Taiwan. Covering themes such as mountains, oceans, food and farming, Indigenous communities and regional revitalization, the activities are open to people aged 15 to 35. Details are available on the agency and Youth Travel websites.