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Updated Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:11 am TWN, By Rachel Chan, CNA

DOH, foundation, Olympic silver medalist call on public to walk 10,000 steps a day for good health

To take the campaign to get people walking to the next level, the BHP has selected a number of footpaths throughout Taiwan's 25 counties and cities and listed them on its Web site to make it even easier for the public to start exercising.

Moreover, in a joint effort with the government and National Tsing Hua University Professor Wang Chun-hsiu, the Hope Foundation launched an event in July to solicit recommendations from the public on walking routes in communities around the nation.

A book containing 50 maps of walking paths around Taiwan, chosen by the foundation from among 155 routes recommended by walking enthusiasts, was launched Nov. 11 — National Health Walk Day.

According to Chi, the book is not only aimed at promoting awareness of the health benefits of walking but also at marketing Taiwan as a country boasting beautiful walking trails that can attract walkers from around the world.

“There is much more in Taiwan than Taipei 101 and Alishan. Taiwan's beauty is beyond the eyes, however, because the best part is the hospitality of its people,” said Chi.

Besides keeping fit and healthy, Chi said that for her, the greatest benefit of walking is that it allows you to get to know different people. Simply saying “hi” to strangers on the road and when they smile back or start talking to her is what makes her day, she added.

“Human contact is the most precious element when it comes to walking. There are always new discoveries and unexpected surprises in the walking process when you meet the local people,” Chi said.

Noting that she recently finished a two-day walking trip with friends from Belgium and the Netherlands in Taiwan's eastern city of Hualien, Chi said that most of them have visited Taiwan many times but still were amazed by the trails she took them to, because some of them are unknown to tourists and therefore unspoiled, while others are full of local culture and history.

Chi said these friends will all become “goodwill ambassadors” for Taiwan, which has so much to offer enthusiastic walkers who regularly travel the world in search of magnificent walking experiences.

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	A new walk path is being developed along an irrigation system in a community in southwestern Chiayi County as part of a plan to build a network of roads around Taiwan to promote a healthy lifestyle. (CNA) More Photos (2)


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