The renowned travel and cultural show Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, produced by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), visited Tainan on January 12 and 13 to capture the city's rich cultural heritage and tourism appeal. The program, which has won four Emmy Awards, averages over 2 million viewers per episode across its 10-episode seasons. It is broadcast across all 50 U.S. states and major regions of Canada, as well as through streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Tubi and in-flight entertainment systems, providing substantial promotional benefits.
The filming covered iconic landmarks such as Anping Fort, Kaitai Tianhou Temple, and Ten Drum Cultural Village, offering an in-depth look at Tainan's history, culture, and artistic heritage. Mayor Huang Wei-che personally visited the set, presenting local delicacies such as pineapple cakes, pomelo flower coffee, and Yujing dried mangoes as a warm welcome to the production team. He emphasized that Tainan is not only Taiwan’s cultural hub but also a major international travel destination. This filming project serves as a cultural exchange and a great opportunity to showcase Tainan to the world.
Host Experiencing Ten Drums (Photo: Screenshot from Tainan City Government Website)
Host Mickela Mallozzi and her team explored the essence of Tainan culture through traditional folk performances, drumming experiences, and hands-on activities such as face painting and step training in the Jia Jiang ritual. These experiences highlighted the vibrancy of Tainan’s traditional culture. The filming also featured the unique culinary scene of Bao’an Road, further promoting Tainan’s local flavors to an international audience.
The Host and Team Participate in the Jia Jiang Face Painting Ceremony and Step Training at Yuanhe Temple (Photo: Screenshot from Tainan City Government Website)
Tainan City’s Director of Tourism, Lin Kuo-hua, stated that Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi has a vast global audience, and its filming in Tainan will bring significant international exposure, enhancing the city’s visibility and attracting more visitors from North America and beyond. The city government will continue collaborating with international media to expand tourism markets, boost the local economy, and secure Tainan’s place on the global travel map.
