As "self-made travel" becomes increasingly popular, and Taiwan's renown as a traveller's domain steadily rises, this saying of the ancients is called to mind: "Ascend great heights from the low, travel great distances from the near." If you desire to travel the globe, you must start from where you now stand. Only after "warming up" and laying a foundation here in your own country will you be truly prepared to travel great distances.

This so-called "self-made travel" means simply travelling according to your own interests and time schedule, your own choice of transportation, your own choice of scenery, your own itinerary.

Compared with the pre-arranged package tours offered by travel agencies, self-made travel offers much greater freedom and elasticity in planning. "Have money, will travel. No money, will travel. You just can't beat being your own guide!" quips one veteran traveller.

Shih Tsai-man, a travel reporter of many years experience, indicates that transport, room, and board are the most problem-prone facets of self-service travel within the ROC Once these areas are taken care of, eighty percent of the pleasures of travel are already yours.

In enjoying the benefits of self-made travel, besides simply staying at hotels, one may choose to stay at schools, the homes of friends and relatives, Europeanstyle "bed and breakfasts," or even camp out under the stars.

Wu Yung-lien, an eleventh-grade student from Kaohsiung, recently completed a nineteen-day tour of the island by bicycle, spending a total of only US$60. Food was by far his greatest area of expenditure; he spent next to nothing for accommodation. "I just went to schools and presented my national identification card along with my school ID, they were happy to be of help," he says.

In the area of transport, one may choose to drive one's own car, make use of public transportation facilities, ride a bicycle, or simply hike it. When going by bicycle or on foot, you should be sure to choose roads which offer plenty of space and are in good condition. Even more importantly, you yourself must be in good shape and of a relatively tenacious nature as well.

Although the land area of Taiwan is limited, there are actually quite a number of travel-worthy places on the island. How does one go about planning an itinerary? Where does one start?

According to Shih Tsai-man, the best point of departure is to seek the advice of an experienced traveller. The numerous travel handbooks and magazines available on the market, newspaper travel columns, and special travel reports are also valuable resource materials.

Travel can be roughly divided into two general categories--"pure travel" and "educational travel." "Pure travel" guide-books focus mainly on various types of transportation and scenery. "Educational travel" is more attentive of things like ancient ruins and temples, while recently a rising tide of interest in the exploration of aboriginal culture has added new destinations to the itineraries of educational travellers.

Ouyang T'ai-sheng, an administrator at Yushan National Park, asserts that self-made travel is best suited for the educational traveller, "because having the time to slowly wander through an area provides much more opportunity to really get to know the place."

Some experts suggest that if you are planning your first self-made trip, you might do well to choose one of the more well-known scenic areas on the island in order to take advantage of convenient transportation, restaurants, and accommodation. They do warn, however, that it is best to avoid travel to such areas on weekends or holidays.

A whole-province map of Taiwan and detailed maps of the areas one intends to visit are of course absolute requisites for the self-made traveller. With the aid of a good map and your own mouth in asking directions of local residents, chances are that you won't lose your way.

Many of the more beautifully scenic areas on Taiwan are located within restricted-access mountain areas. Entrance to these areas is only allowed if one has in his possession a class A or class B mountain area entry permit (the type of permit required depends on the area one is visiting). A class A permit must be obtained in advance through presenting relevant documents at police headquarters; a class B permit may be obtained on-site with the aid of a national identification card. No matter where you are going, you must always carry your national identification card along with you.

Raingear is also a necessity for travel on Taiwan. Generally speaking, a pancho or a raincoat is more convenient than an umbrella. The Central Weather Bureau may be contacted for information on weather forecasts for the areas that one plans to visit.

Veteran travellers never set out on a journey without a good backpack or shoulder-bag; while most would not give hand-carried luggage so much as a second thought. For the self-made traveller who prefers bicycling or hiking, a tent and/or sleeping bag can bring major savings in hotel bills. For the truly economically-minded traveller, a small gas stove and a mess kit may also afford great savings in food expenditures.

While travelling away from home, one can not afford to be too choosey about what one eats. The best you can do is to make an effort to find clean, sanitary restaurants. As Ouyang T'ai-sheng jokingly remarks, only those with "cast-iron stomachs" are truly qualified for self-made travel.

Oh? So maybe self-service travel is not the easygoing, carefree experience you imagined it to be?

"Trouble is trouble," laughs Shih Tsai-man, "but it's worth it." The pleasures of this kind of completely self-arranged, self-controlled travel, he says, are completely different from those of the typical travel agency tour where all arrangements are in someone else's hands. The beforehand preparations, the actual trip itself, and the final return home all serve to give the traveller a deeply satisfying, first-hand experience.

So, how about it? Are you ready to give it a go?

[Picture Caption]

A couple of international travellers who seem to have lost their way on the busy streets of Taipei turn to their trusty map for guidance. (photo by Vincent Chang)

(Left) Pitching a tent is the most economical form of accommodation for the self-made traveller.

(Right) The China Youth Corps has established youth activity centers in many cities around Taiwan, providing food and accommodation at reasonable prices.

Climbing Yushan (Jade Mountain) to view the morning sunrise over the sea of clouds has become one of the most popular retreats of the self-made traveller on Taiwan.

Youth hostels all over the world provide cheap accommodations for travelling youths. The atmosphere of most hostels lets the guests feel as if they were eating and sleeping in their own homes.

Travel by bicycle is becoming increasingly popular. However, such travel is not recommended for people who lack stamina and are out of shape. Pictured at right is Sorrel Wilby of Australia. (photo by Shen Yi)

Suggested 7-day Island Tours

[Picture]

（Left） Pitching a tent is the most economical form of accommodation for the self-made traveller.

（Right） The China Youth Corps has established youth activity centers in many cities around Taiwan, providing food and accommodation at reasonable prices.

Climbing Yushan （Jade Mountain） to view the morning sunrise over the sea of clouds has become one of the most popular retreats of the self-made traveller on Taiwan.

Youth hostels all over the world provide cheap accommodations for travelling youths. The atmosphere of most hostels lets the guests feel as if they were eating and sleeping in their own homes.

Youth hostels all over the world provide cheap accommodations for travelling youths. The atmosphere of most hostels lets the guests feel as if they were eating and sleeping in their own homes.

Travel by bicycle is becoming increasingly popular. However, such travel is not recommended for people who lack stamina and are out of shape. Pictured at right is Sorrel Wilby of Australia. （photo by Shen Yi）

Suggested island tour in 7 days.