A range of "rainbow sightseeing bus tours" are to be launched in Taipei next month as part of Pride month celebrations, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday.
The rainbow bus tours, part of a series of Pride month events themed "2024 Color Taipei," are to feature drag queens as tour guides, tourism officials told a news conference.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei City Government
The bus tours would be offered on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 5 to 25, on three routes — Cultural, Music and Film.
On the Cultural tour route, the history of Taiwan's LGBTQ+ rights movement is to be highlighted, and it would include stops at landmarks such as Ximen Red House and the Rainbow Iron Gate of 228 Peace Park, the officials said.
The Music tour is to take passengers on a scenic ride through Taipei, with the bus playing pride music by Taiwanese pop stars A-Mei (張惠妹), Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) and Elva Hsiao (蕭亞軒).
The stops would include Ximen Red House and Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple, officials said.
Passengers on the Movie tour would visit the film locations of Taiwanese LGBTQ+ themed movies such as Crystal Boys, Eternal Summer and Blue Gate Crossing, the officials said.
The Cultural bus tour is to cost NT$600, the Music tour NT$520 and the Film tour NT$680, with tickets available via Klook, the department said.
The celebrity tour guides on the buses would include drag queens Nine² Boo², Elja Heights (Ellery) and Queen, as well as Quarterback vocalist Ashan and P!sco guitarist Rachel, tourism officials said.
At the news conference, Queen said he had served three times before as a guide on Taipei's rainbow sightseeing bus tours, and it was joy each time.
She thanked the Taipei government for its vocal support of pride, and Taiwanese for their respect and kindness.
Department Deputy Commissioner Shiue Chiu-huo (薛秋火) said that the Taipei government has long been committed to making Taipei the most friendly and equitable city in Asia, by continuously promoting gender equality and inclusive policies.
The department would continue to work hard to make Pride tourism a signature brand of Taipei, giving domestic and international visitors a chance to experience the city's friendliness, inclusivity and diverse charm, he said.
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