London: British illustrator Hannah Gibson, widely recognized by her pen name Hanzsiie, has ingeniously transformed her travel experiences in Taiwan into a captivating artistic project, designing a Taiwan-themed sightseeing bus that is now gracing the streets of London. This unique bus showcases the slogan “Step into Taiwan. Warmth, All Year Round,” and offers a vibrant, hand-drawn alternative to the typical tourist advertisements.

According to Focus Taiwan, Gibson was profoundly influenced by the friendliness of the Taiwanese people during her visit in May, leading her to encapsulate her memories in a series of illustrated postcards. Upon returning to London, she noticed Taiwan tourism advertisements on local buses and was motivated to share her artwork with Taiwan’s tourism office in London. To her delight, they responded positively to her initiative.

The tourism office has a history of running Taiwan-themed campaigns across taxis, metro stations, and buses. However, Gibson’s project marks the first instance of a sightseeing bus being fully wrapped with hand-drawn artwork. Her design features a warm, golden-yellow background, with “Taiwan” prominently displayed on the sides and rear of the bus. The bus is adorned with motifs including street food stalls, hot springs, temples, railways, mountains, beaches, Taipei 101, bubble tea, and New Year fireworks.

Gibson shared that her lively, hand-drawn style is a reflection of the warmth she experienced from the Taiwanese people, especially through small, everyday interactions that made her trip unforgettable. She fondly recalled forming a quick friendship with a hairdresser during a salon visit, who offered her tips on local attractions, cuisine, and activities, despite them being strangers initially.

“In Taiwan, people are really kind and understanding,” she remarked. “I want to recreate that warmth in my illustration.”

The bus route includes passes by iconic London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, and Piccadilly Circus. QR codes on the bus provide passengers with access to travel information about Taiwan, enhancing the cultural experience.