Yangmingshan(陽明山), with its rolling hills, cultural heritage, and seasonal abundance, has always been a special place. For Sherry Tsao, it’s home—a place where her family’s life has been tied to the land. Her parents farmed and cultivated cherry blossoms, later running a small hot corn dog stand, shaping much of Sherry’s childhood. For Henry, a Beitou native, Yangmingshan is the “garden behind the backyard,” a place he visited often with his family to hike and enjoy the blooms. Now, Sherry and Henry have returned—not just to revisit the past, but to reimagine the future.
Their story is about coming home, working hard, and finding new ways to share the beauty of Yangmingshan with others. Through Voyage Taiwan, they’re helping people connect with the land, the community, and the stories that make this place unique.
A Return to the Land of Blossoms, Yangmingshan
A photo of Sherry’s parents at Yangmingshan, once a parking lot now a cherry blossom grove.
In the past, Sherry’s family has always been close to the land. Her parents worked hard during the flower season, earning enough in a span of three months to support the family for the whole year. “The flower season was a time of joy and abundance,” Sherry recalls. “It was when my parents could make a living and share the beauty of Yangmingshan with others.”
But things have changed. The family business that once brought good income now barely cover a month’s expenses. The way people live and work has shifted, but Sherry still sees the heart of Yangmingshan—the beauty, the community, and the traditions.
After working in the travel industry for years, Sherry realized something was missing. “Through my travels and the podcast I started with Henry, we saw that people shared stories about places, but there is a significant gap in helping those places grow,” she says. This inspired her and Henry to return to Yangmingshan and find ways to make a real lasting difference.
From Passion to Podcast: SH Wildlife
Henry and Sherry’s shared love for travel led them to create a Mandarin-speaking podcast called SH Wildlife(SH 好野人生), centered around travel and life. The podcast takes listeners on journeys to hidden corners of Taiwan, uncovering untold stories through spotlight interviews and conversations with local artisans. Their mission is to rediscover the everyday moments that enlighten our lives and shed light on the beauty of the forgotten.
As they explain, “SH 好野人生 (SH Wildlife) combines Ho-gia (Taiwanese: 好野), meaning ‘good’ or ‘meaningful,’ with 人生 (life). It embodies an attitude of gently embracing life, where we deeply appreciate both travel and the beauty of everyday living.”
Dreams in Motion: Bringing Voyage Taiwan to Life
Both Sherry and Henry’s experience in the travel industry, coupled with Henry’s deep love for nature and photography, made them the perfect team.
“I could never sit in an office all day,” Henry shares. “My passion has always been in the outdoors—exploring, capturing the world through my eyes and lens.”
Together, they founded Voyage Taiwan, a travel company designed to create meaningful experiences that go beyond the typical sightseeing tour in Yangmingshan. Their goal was for visitors to truly connect with Yangmingshan—its people, its history, and its natural beauty. “We wanted to share the real stories of Yangmingshan along our tours we curated,” both explains.
One of their first ventures was VYM Cafe, a cozy spot nestled next to Sherry’s childhood home. This is a hard work with love and dedication, hand in hand, working together, as the couple created the cafe to offer visitors what they crave most: a peaceful space to enjoy coffee while learning about a place that was once a quiet home, now becoming a bustling tourist destination. The cafe isn’t just a spot for a cup of tea or coffee—it’s a place to connect and imagine what life used to be like. In addition to coffee and tea, Sherry and Henry curated a collection of Mandarin music vinyl records, along with some Western classic selections. These records help tell the story of Taiwan’s Mandarin pop music.
A Stroll Through Yangmingshan: Where Seasons Shift and Landscapes Drift
Every February to March, Yangmingshan bursts into bloom, attracting crowds of visitors. But when the flowers fade in the heat of July to September, a different kind of experience begins. Sherry and Henry’s team leads visitors on a journey through the lush, volcanic landscapes and the fertile fields of Yangmingshan.
The journey starts at Xiaoyoukeng, a volcanic crater that looks like a band-aid on the green mountains from above. Below this dramatic landscape lies the local community, a basin surrounded by volcanic peaks. Once a volcanic lake, it was transformed into fertile farmland by the hard work of local residents.
From Ashes to Abundance: Yangmingshan Eco-Trail
Henry often reflects on how Yangmingshan has adapted over generations to meet both global and local needs. “This land tells a story of resilience,” he says. He highlights the growth of Peng Lai rice husk—a practice rooted in Japanese agricultural traditions—the revival of local cabbage cultivation, and the recent shift toward a “visual economy,” where vibrant flower plantations draw tourists year-round.
But for Henry, the most meaningful change is ecological. During a visit to a local farm, a farmer showed him tracks and nests left by returning wildlife—a sign that the land was healing. “It was a turning point,” Henry recalls. “It proved that sustainability isn’t just an idea—it’s something we can see happening.”
Inspired by this, Henry and Sherry partnered with the Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation to create eco-focused tours that showcase Yangmingshan’s organic farms. Visitors learn firsthand how farmers are building a sustainable ecosystem—reducing pesticides, reviving native plants, and protecting endangered species like the Taipei green tree frog.
“These farmers aren’t just growing food or flowers,” Henry explains. “They’re creating a home for wildlife and a future for Yangmingshan.”
Walking along the Yangming Stream Trail, visitors can imagine the past when this area was a hub for rice cultivation during the Japanese colonial period. The volcanic soil, pure water, and misty climate created ideal conditions for farming. Today, the trail offers a chance to reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and listen to the soothing sounds of flowing water.
But Yangmingshan is more than just a scenic spot or a place for photos. It’s also a home for wildlife. Sherry and Henry’s tours take visitors to places like the local organic farm, where farmers are working to protect the ecosystem where endangered animals can thrive alongside agriculture.
“This farm shows how farming and conservation can work together,” Henry says. “It’s not just about growing flowers—it’s about creating a home for wildlife and preserving the land for future generations.”
Yangmingshan’s history is rich and full of change. Over the years, the land has adapted to new needs, from growing rice and cabbage to attracting tourists with colorful flowers. Henry often talks about how the land has evolved. “Yangmingshan has always found a way to thrive,” he says.
The Heart of Yangmingshan
For Sherry and Henry, Yangmingshan is more than just a place—it’s a living part of their lives, holding both the memories of the past and the promise of the future. “As the seasons change, we’re finding new ways to share Yangmingshan with the world,” they say. The people of Yangmingshan have a deep connection to their land, which has allowed them to build a unique way of life. As descendants and keepers of the next generation’s heritage, they continue to find ways to thrive within the national park, coexisting with nature and preserving the land for future generations.”
It’s a journey—or perhaps a voyage—of this young couple working hard together, hand in hand. Their story shows what can happen when young people return to their roots. By combining their love for travel, storytelling, and the land, Sherry and Henry are helping Yangmingshan grow while keeping its heart alive, allowing it to bloom all year round. As Sherry puts it, “The next generation might face new challenges, but we’re committed to keeping this beautiful place alive, year after year.” And with Voyage Taiwan, they’re doing just that—one story, one connection, and one step at a time.
