Two coinciding trends have turned Taiwan’s small towns into tourist attractions that are traditional and trendy, diverse and creative, and all in all more charming than ever.

The first of these two trends is an evolution in travel beyond “slow tourism,” which had been in vogue for several years.

In 2007 the US magazine Newsweek ran a cover story on the global craze for “slow tourism.” Stanley Yen, then chairman of the Landis Taipei Hotel, analyzed the evolution of tourism thus: The first generation rushed quickly from site to site, the second generation looked for greater depth, and finally the third generation was enjoying taking things slow. Avoiding “moving so fast that the body leaves the spirit behind,” these travelers were taking their time and enjoying the local rhythms.

It took only a few years for the global digital revolution to topple “slow tourism” from its perch. Pervasive digital technology has allowed people to connect to the Internet at any time and given them a thirst for interesting activities to fill ­every moment of their lives.

Travel is no longer a private experience. The new tourists post their photos immediately on Facebook and Instagram and provide detailed descriptions of their activities on blogs. Every aspect of a trip becomes subject to live reporting that aims to attract viewers.

In the fourth generation of tourism, even when travelers arrange for uncluttered itineraries, they still hunger for excitement. No matter how relaxed the pace, a series of nice surprises is expected. Tourists begin to resemble celebrities that provide interest through every action of their daily lives. And with travelers making first-hand reports, the cultural depth and liveliness of Taiwan’s small towns shine through and catch the attention of international media.

The tremendous success of community regeneration projects in Taiwan is the second contributing factor to the rise of Taiwan’s small towns as tourist destinations. Over the past 20 years, towns throughout Taiwan have rediscovered their roots, enlivening a cultural and historical terrain that had been largely denuded through the process of industrialization.

Locals engaged in community regeneration have worked to beautify their hometowns and strengthen their sense of history. Bringing together the combined wisdom of industry, government, academia and social enterprises, community regeneration efforts have focused on a range of issues, including culture, lifestyle, economics and history. They have fostered an infectious enthusiasm for these towns that has naturally attracted travelers.

The process of gathering information for our cover story this month (“The Irrepressible Charm of Taiwan’s Small Towns”) has given me a deeper appreciation for the beauty and vitality of Taiwan. For instance, in editorial meetings we originally worried that salt pans wouldn’t make for visually interesting photographs. Yet thanks to the skillful work of senior photojournalist Chuang Kung-ju, the salt pans of Chiayi County’s Budai convey a captivating lyrical quality and sense of peace. One can’t help but want to strap on a backpack and rush there.

Thirty-five years ago, the singer Teresa Teng recorded her classic version of “The Story of a Small Town.” The lyrics describe a rarefied Shangri-La: “It looks like a painting, sounds like a song. Truth, goodness and beauty—it has them all.” Yet when you listen to the lyrics today, Teng’s sweet singing seems prophetic, because the words really are apt characterizations of Taiwan’s small towns these days.

Summer vacation is here. Let’s take a trip to Taiwan’s small towns!