This Taiwan Guide is Stealing the Hearts of Filipino Travellers, Here's Why

Who’s this tour guide in Taiwan who’s quickly becoming every Filipino traveller’s favourite private charter? His name is Uncle Lin, a driver-guide whose presence turns a regular sightseeing day into something unforgettable.

He’s not flashy, doesn’t do big social media campaigns, and isn’t on popular booking apps. Like most of our own parents or grandparents, Uncle Lin doesn’t have much social media presence. But word of mouth (and now TikTok buzz) has made him one of the most talked-about guides among Filipinos!

We spoke with three of his clients—Fiona, Nelson, and Mommy Mhai—who all had nothing but glowing things to say about their experiences with Uncle Lin. From flexibility and humour to genuine care, they painted a picture of why he’s no ordinary tour guide.

Here’s why Uncle Lin is Filipino tourists’ beloved tour guide:

Image credit: engr._nelsonayonon, mamhy3 | Instagram

Uncle Lin isn’t just about ticking off the usual tourist boxes. He knows the hidden corners, breathtaking viewpoints, and even local eateries that travellers would never find on their own.

Fiona recalled, “We thought we were only going to be with him until 6 PM, but he said, ‘No it’s okay, you have to see Taipei 101. We know the best view.’ He was really nice and really wanted us to enjoy and savour the trip.”

Also read: 10 Things to Do in Taipei for Your First Time in Taiwan, According to This Solo Traveller

Mommy Mhai also shared, “On our first day, we went to Green Fantasy Forest, Zhong She Flower Garden, Gaomei Wetland, and three more tourist attractions that I can’t recall, which cost 5,000 NTD. On the second day, we went to the grassland, Yehliu, Tiaoshi Bus Stop at the volcano, and two more places, which cost 4,000 NTD.” She said the experience was well worth it.

Image credit: engr._nelsonayonon, mamhy3 | Instagram

Uncle Lin doesn’t just drive you around, he doubles as the group’s official photographer. He knows the angles, directs poses, and makes sure your photos are Instagram-worthy. Look! He's literally the cutest!

Also read: 9 Most Instagrammable Spots in Taiwan Every Filipino Traveller Needs to Visit

Mommy Mhai gave him a “1000/1000” rating, saying, “It’s amazing that despite his age, he’s very energetic and always accompanies you. Plus, you instantly have a photographer with you. Uncle Lin takes great pictures and is very diligent in using Google Translate since he doesn’t understand English.”

Image credit: engr._nelsonayonon, mamhy3 | Instagram

This is the part that makes travellers feel at home with him. Uncle Lin treats you like family. He checks if you’re comfortable, offers water, and even brings umbrellas and an electric fan on hot days.

Mommy Mhai remembered, “Our most unforgettable experience with Uncle Lin was how he treated us. He always gave us water, always had umbrellas and an electric fan ready, and even bought us pineapple. Uncle Lin is caring, just like being with your own father or uncle.”

Fiona added, “He said that he’ll wait for us until 10:00 PM so we won’t miss our high-speed rail back to Kaohsiung at 11:20 PM. He was so caring and thoughtful.”

Nelson kept it short and sweet: “He treat us like a family.”

And as Mommy Mhai stressed, “He really didn’t take advantage of us just because we were tourists. He even brought us to places where the locals eat delicious food and buy cheap souvenirs.”

Also read: Why Taiwan Feels Safe for Solo Travellers

Uncle Lin might not speak perfect English, but he connects through simple words, gestures, and humour.

Fiona shared, “He really do cares for you. He actually gets Filipino humor, which made him even funnier!”

Mommy Mhai also said, “Despite the language barrier, he always tries his best with Google Translate. He’s very energetic and fun to be with, like having your own uncle guiding you around.”

Image credit: mamhy3 | Instagram

Isn't he the cutest tour guide ever?! Even though he’s mostly reachable via WhatsApp, you can also try finding him on Facebook at @toyatowish17. Just check the Pages category since his name is in Chinese characters and would probably be hard for you to search.

Also read: Best time to Visit Taiwan Based on Weather

Touring Taiwan with Uncle Lin isn’t just about seeing landmarks. It’s about the vibes and company along the way. He keeps things smooth, fun, and memorable. For Filipino travellers, he’s more than a driver. He’s one of the best parts of the trip! Nelson summed it up perfectly: “YES OF COURSE 100%” and he would recommend Uncle Lin to anyone!

Featured image credit: itsfionaraven | YouTube Channel