A Journey Inspired by a Single Thought

Winston Shen, CEO of Hotel Royal Group:

"The value of travel lies not in the destination, but in becoming a part of the local life. What matters is the way we experience it."

These words prompt us to reflect on the meaning of travel once more.

To truly connect with a city, a lifestyle closer to the heart of the community may be essential.

Bringing Travel Closer to the Island's Essence

  Royal Explorer:
  A travel proposal from a "local perspective"

  Slower than sightseeing, yet livelier than daily routine
  Positioned between a traveler and a resident
  Leaving space to hear the wind
see the light, and feel the warmth

  Seeking depth rather than distance  

Voices from Travelers Around the World

Those who live on this island know its seasons and streets well.

We hope this island's warmth can reach even further.

In collaboration with Garmin Cycling Club,
travelers from eight Asian countries were invited
to feel the island through a Garmin Asia Ride.

Watching the city wake up in the morning light,
and discovering the skyline at every turn.

Finding the comfort of hospitality at Hotel Royal stops.

Captured moments grow into stories that travel far.

The beauty of the island continues to expand in every direction.

Choosing to Ride Over Faster Ways

The breeze, the slopes, and the scents of the streets become part of the journey.

Pausing at Hotel Royal urban locations provides a moment of rest.

Royal Explorer: Discovering the Island Anew

Continuing from the 2024 Garmin Asia Ride, we have collaborated with Garmin Cycling Club once again.

We invited twelve riders from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

During their journey, they experienced the Royal Explorer program.

Through this journey, they discovered a unique side of the island cities.

As these riders carry the memories and warmth back to their home countries, this island crosses borders and is viewed by the world through a new lens.

The Place Taipei
2025【Royal Explorer】
Bid dawn's bouquets and scents

Located in the Neihu District, the Taipei Flower Market is Taiwan's largest hub for floral materials. Sorting and trading begin in the early morning. Flowers arrive before daybreak, as mist drifts and colors unfold across the racks. The sounds of sellers and buyers create an early morning energy.

Here, travelers feel the morning air and witness a city transition from quiet to vibrant, where the essence of awakening naturally emerges amidst fragrance and color. 

Arriving in Taiwan on the first day, the rain lingered on the windows as the Asian riders headed from the airport to The Place Taipei. A century ago, Nangang was a transportation hub for tea and timber. Today, it has evolved into a center for technology and creativity. The local atmosphere of traditional streets exists alongside modern architecture, showing the city's transformation between old and new.

At check-in, the lobby's clean lines and steady tones, paired with attentive service, offered a place to rest after a long flight. Inside the rooms, the soft lighting and warm temperature created a peaceful atmosphere. Views from the window revealed the city's layers, while the minimalist furniture allowed the mind to settle. The moment luggage is set down, the body returns to a state of comfort.

The journey continued to the Taipei Flower Market in Neihu. This is the starting point for the city's floral trade, where farmers and vendors gather at dawn. Asian riders wandered through the stalls, observing bouquets and comparing leaves—it was their first time understanding the city's awakening through the morning life of a flower market.

Back at The Place Taipei, a floral DIY session allowed travelers to capture their impressions of the market. The workspace was bright and clean. Touching the petals made the journey feel more concrete. Later, resting in their rooms with warm tea and quietude, they experienced the refined hospitality of The Place Taipei.

The next day, they set off for Hotel Royal Chiaohsi. As the first day concluded amidst flowers, markets, and peaceful spaces, the journey prepared to enter its next chapter.

Hotel Royal Chiaohsi
2025【Royal Explorer】
Roam dawn's baskets and fields

The Yilan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market, located between Chiaohsi and Yilan City, serves as the main hub for local produce. At dawn, trucks arrive with fresh harvests, their crates and greens lined up to bring the seasons of the plain into the market. Auctions proceed with rhythmic calls as buyers judge quality by origin and size. Here, the journey of food from field to table begins.

This is another kind of "awakening," where the freshness of the earth is seen before daybreak. The day starts the moment the produce arrives.

As the journey reaches Yilan, the mountain breeze carries a moist scent, and the peaks play hide-and-seek with the mist. Asian riders arrive at Hotel Royal Chiaohsi, finding relaxation in the hot spring atmosphere. Since the Qing Dynasty, Chiaohsi has been a sanctuary for travelers. Hot springs, farming, and local markets blend here, offering an authentic town vibe.

The Welcome Party is ready, featuring dishes made from local ingredients. Hotel staff introduce each treat with warmth. Thoughtful touches—from towels to hydration reminders—make travelers feel at home, allowing their minds to settle in the warmth of Chiaohsi.

Back in the guest rooms, wood textures and warm lighting soothe the body. Outside the window, the rolling mountains look like a living painting. Sitting quietly, some brew tea while others listen to the wind. Fatigue fades away naturally. At Hotel Royal Chiaohsi, relaxation is not a planned event; it is a natural occurrence.

The next morning, we head to the Yilan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market. Asian riders walk through the stalls, seeing firsthand how the freshness and origin of produce are identified. Later, we stroll through Chenghuang Street, the historic commercial heart of the old city. Shopkeepers greet regulars at steaming breakfast stalls. Travelers taste local flavors as the town awakens in its own quiet, authentic way.

We then visit the Hot Spring Water Spinach Fields. Irrigated by Chiaohsi's thermal waters, these crops are tender and crisp. Asian riders reach down to harvest, feeling the cool leaf veins and the flowing warm water. At lunch, we pause at Yan Bo Ting, enjoying light dishes made with local vegetables as the memories of Yilan settle on the palate.

In the afternoon, we head east along the Yuchang Highway, where the landscape shifts from plains to coastal terraces. We enter the East Coast National Scenic Area, where the ocean turns deep azure. Asian riders pause at the coast, looking toward the Pacific and feeling the wild freedom of the island. By evening, we arrive at Hotel Royal Chihpen, where steam rises from the valley. Here, the awakening comes from the original breath of the mountains and the earth.

Hotel Royal Chihpen
2025【Royal Explorer】
Pluck dawn's tea-leaf and aroma

Luye Red Oolong originates from the Luye Highland in Taitung, where strong sunlight and significant temperature shifts create the perfect environment. The tea leaves are rolled using Oolong techniques and then undergo long fermentation and roasting, resulting in a unique reddish hue and a ripe fruity aroma.

The tea plantations are the first to brighten at dawn. As the mountain breeze cools the air and mist clears, the fragrance is released with the rising sun. The day begins the moment the plantation glows.

Traveling south as the mountains unfold, Asian riders arrive at Hotel Royal Chihpen. Located along the Beinan River basin, Chihpen became a sanctuary for early travelers due to its natural hot springs. Over time, it evolved into a premier hot spring resort area in eastern Taiwan. The slow pace of life, the valleys, the flowing streams, and the rising steam define the daily scenery here.

The rain has stopped, and the sounds of indigenous children singing reach the ear. The drumbeats and harmonies set a new mood for the journey. This place holds a deep connection with Puyuma culture, where song and dance are ways of passing down history. Asian riders watch the young dancers with growing engagement, experiencing the energy of the tribe. Here, the journey enters a completely different chapter through sound and movement.

Back in the guest rooms, large windows invite the colors of the mountains and clouds indoors. Steam rises from the hot spring baths, allowing the body to settle into warmth. The exhaustion from long-distance travel slowly fades as the night settles, with only the sound of the wind in the valley as a backdrop.

The following morning, riders enjoy breakfast at Naruwan Restaurant, where local ingredients help them regain their strength. Next, they visit the Biluoyuan Red Oolong Tea Plantation. Tea trees stretch along the slopes, and the air carries the cool crispness of the valley.

Luye is situated at the southern end of the Rift Valley. Asian riders walk through the garden, harvesting buds and learning how tea grows through temperature shifts. The aroma of the tea stays with them, capturing the slow and bright spirit of Luye's landscape.

Setting off for Tainan, the route passes through Pingtung to reach the Shouka Cycling Station. After a brief pause, the South Link Highway challenges riders with long climbs, crosswinds, and continuous curves. This stretch is the most demanding part of the journey, requiring immense focus and will to complete.

The Place Tainan
2025【Royal Explorer】
Trim dawn's grooming and vinyl

Tainan's barber shops formed along old streets, originating from the "Specialized Barber Shop" system during the Japanese colonial period. Wooden counters, stained glass frames, and vintage leather chairs remain today, preserving the city's early lifestyle.

At dawn, masters open the shutters and prepare their tools. The sound of scissors begins before the bustle of the streets. Here, awakening starts with a slow and meticulous routine.

Heading toward Tainan, the city's temperature softens, and old houses with red bricks appear at every corner. When Asian riders arrive at The Place Tainan, the neighborhood reveals a unique cultural layering. Grid-patterned streets from the Qing Dynasty remain recognizable, while former warehouses have become modern cafes. Baroque facades and narrow arcades from the early 20th century stand alongside modern architecture, showing how a century of culture continues today.

Stepping into the hotel, staff greet the Asian riders, each receiving an exclusive medal. Engraved with their names and flags, these medals symbolize the city's sincere hospitality. The journey in this ancient capital enters a new chapter through these genuine connections.

On the exhibition floor, the theme "The Weirdly Proportionate Life" encourages riders to view the daily routine through a new lens. Familiar objects are reframed with humor, turning the ordinary into a fresh perspective. Riders use the language of art to understand the city's soul.

Riders stop before artworks, discussing the unfamiliarity created by reassembled objects. One rider smiles, comparing it to a moment of displacement during the journey. The lighthearted absurdity of the exhibition allows them to see that urban daily life can be reshaped into new forms.

Later, a visit to "Hwa Gwo Barber Shop" reveals the soft afternoon light of the old city. Riders are captivated by the wooden cabinets and vintage chairs, feeling as though they have stepped into a preserved fragment of time. They learn about Tainan's barber culture, realizing these shops are an essential part of the city's early history.

Experiencing a session at "Dong Lai Barber Shop," riders close their eyes as warm towels touch their foreheads. Some are surprised by the antique tools, while others are moved by the meticulous technique, calling it an unexpected moment of calm during the journey.

The journey concludes with a visit to the "Winding Phonograph Museum." As a record spins, the vintage sound awakens time. The texture of the wooden boxes and the moment the needle drops allow daily life to awaken in a different way.

Leaving Tainan, the scenery shifts from old alleys to open farmland and betel nut trees. The team rides through slopes and curves, watching the transition from south to central Taiwan as the journey continues forward.

The Place Taichung
2025【Royal Explorer】
Post dawn's letters and errands

The Chunghwa Post Yingcai Branch in Taichung is a building that awakens before the city bustle begins. As the core for mail sorting and delivery in Taichung, the architecture is purely functional, with clear zones for different mail types that demonstrate the precision of urban logistics.

In the morning, postal workers dive into sorting, scanning, and packing, ensuring letters and parcels depart in order. This awakening is driven by these quiet yet essential processes.

Heading north, the scenery transitions from Tainan's plains to the distinct fields and wide riverbanks of Changhua and Taichung. As the urban silhouette emerges, Asian riders feel the shift from the southern warmth to Taichung's bright and modern atmosphere upon arriving at The Place Taichung.

The hotel's exterior reflects Taichung's layered urban texture, using geometric lines and large glass frames to create unique viewing windows. Inside, a calm minimalist aesthetic prevails. Riders take a moment to rest at ZEBRA, watching the light change over the Calligraphy Greenway as the journey finds a steady mood.

In the evening, riders return to all-white rooms where clean lines and soft lighting create a sense of focus. Looking out from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights emerge as the night deepens. Resting before Taichung's museum nightscape, they organize the accumulated scenes of their ride into lasting memories.

The next morning, a walk to the post office reveals another side of the island. In the sorting area, parcels are swiftly scanned and categorized. Postal vehicles line up as staff work with focus and expertise.

This silent urban engine powers the city's start. Asian riders observe how the city's day begins through these precise and quiet logistics, as letters and parcels depart to their destinations.

The journey continues to Shenji New Village. At Come True Coffee, housed in a sixty-year-old former residence, riders rest in a space where history has been redefined. Here, they use personalized stamps to record their trip, experiencing a city awakening driven by creativity and human connection.

Continuing north, the scenery shifts from Taichung's streets to open fields and straight roads. Riders feel the silhouette of northern cities appearing, where industry and life coexist in a balanced movement.

Hotel Royal Hsinchu
2025【Royal Explorer】
Seek dawn's springs and flavors

Mornings at the Xinpu First Public Retail Market always begin earlier than the streets outside. Before full daylight, vegetables, meats, and prepared foods are displayed as vendors greet one another. Local delicacies and seasonal produce start the day in this small town.

The ancient well next to the market no longer provides water but remains a miniature of life in the Hakka community. In the past, people gathered here to fetch water, wash, and exchange news—making it the earliest gathering spot in town.

Upon arriving at Hotel Royal Hsinchu, Asian riders witness the unique face of Hsinchu. Famous for its technology park, the city also preserves its Hakka heritage and coastal lifestyle. The urban landscape forms its own identity between speed and tradition.

As rain continues, the damp chill remains. Stepping into Hotel Royal Hsinchu, riders are welcomed with hot drinks. The wooden textures and calm lighting provide immediate comfort. Here, travelers feel a sincere welcome from the city.

Opening the room door, the misty rain outside contrasts with the cozy comfort inside. Rooms at Hotel Royal Hsinchu feature soft mist gray and warm wood tones. Minimalist lines and gentle lighting allow riders to truly feel that they have reached their destination.

Breakfast at Le Café offers another way to awaken. Asian riders enjoy fresh fruits and warm dishes in the bright space, sharing their morning status after a night of rest.

As rain continues to fall, riders head to the Xinpu First Public Retail Market. The urban landscape shifts to small-town simplicity. The market awakens with local food and hand-crafted tofu, showcasing the morning life of a traditional town.

Exploring the alleys, a guide introduces the well culture of Xinpu. Once a core of neighborhood life, these wells remain as historical markers. Later, at Kirkir Persimmon Dyeing Workshop, riders create their own coin purses, capturing the essence of the town. The visit ends with a refreshing persimmon popsicle.

As the journey nears its end, the team heads toward Taipei. The scenery shifts from open spaces to dense urban structures. Riders feel the silhouette of the capital approaching through the mist, as a city slowly awakens in the rain.

Royal Inn
2025【Royal Explorer】

Knit dawn's alleys and signals

Zhongshan District reveals a dual identity between day and night. By day, it is bright and active, where offices and select shops stand side by side; by night, neon lights rise as izakayas and small bars in the Tiaotong alleys release unique scents and languages.

Royal Inn is located at the center of this activity, offering easy access between the alleys and major transport. The wooden tones and minimalist layout create a stable space, allowing travelers to return to a comfortable resting point from the city's hum.

As the journey reaches its final stop, the streets of Zhongshan remain clear by day, while Tiaotong continues to flow with voices and neon at night. Royal Inn Taipei Linsen sits quietly in between, nestled between old urban textures and modern city pulses, serving as a sanctuary reserved for travelers.

Inside the rooms, soft light and wood textures ease the fatigue of the road. The city's noise is kept outside, leaving only a calm atmosphere for the body and mind to settle. This subtle care provides the stability needed as the journey counts down. Tomorrow, they will return to their respective cities. At this moment, the Linsen location acts as a gateway, organizing the final notes of the trip and allowing island memories to be carried away in a clear and quiet manner.

The next morning's breakfast serves as the final pause. In the bright restaurant, amidst the steam of soup and the aroma of coffee, Asian riders exchange stories of the past days. As the city outside slowly brightens, the interior remains a quiet space for reflection, setting down fatigue and packing away memories, ready to bring this journey back into their daily lives.

In 2025, Hotel Royal Group and Garmin Cycling Club partnered to launch a unique edition of "Royal Explorer." Through the "Garmin Asia Ride" project, cyclists from across Asia experienced Taiwan's urban daily life on two wheels. Our itinerary was designed to offer a perspective positioned between a traveler and a resident. We prioritized depth over distance, ensuring enough time to truly read the pulse of this island.

The most precious part of "Royal Explorer" is being part of the local scene. Living as temporary residents, we explored the city's mornings. From the scent of flowers at the Taipei Flower Market to the industrial sounds of the Taichung Yingcai Post Office, these moments exist beyond typical tourist spots, making the island's pulse feel authentic.

Hotel Royal provided a graceful intermission during this journey. Through quiet spaces and warm service, we welcomed travelers weary from the road. Here, guests could leave their cluttered thoughts and physical fatigue to time, preparing for the next scene.

At the journey's end, the bikes are parked, but the stories are just beginning. Asian riders carry back Taiwan's refined hospitality and the essence of dawn's awakening. This international ride placed the island's daily life into their hearts. This newfound care for life and others will remain a memorable story.