Feature by Irene Chen
Planting an International Nomad Seed Between Rice Fields and Starry Skies. An interview with Cindy, founder of Roots Coworking Space.
In the concrete jungles of modern cities, life moves so fast that we often forget what living is supposed to feel like. But in Taiwan’s East Rift Valley, where mountain breezes drift between the Central Mountain and Coastal Ranges, Chishang offers a different rhythm, slow enough to hold space for tired travelers from around the world.
This is Roots Coworking Space, founded by Cindy. Having lived in the U.S. for 13 years as a seasoned digital nomad, she once traveled the world with nothing but a 65-liter backpack. It was filled with stories, experiences, and unforgettable landscapes from around the globe, but Chishang ultimately became her sanctuary.
Having spent years adrift, she established this space to offer global nomads what she discovered here – that Taiwan’s true essence is its rare ability to make any traveler feel instantly at home.
Falling in Love with Chishang
“Whenever travelers asked me about Taiwan during my years abroad, a seed was planted,” Cindy recalls. “I wanted them to see the island through my eyes.”
After a long nomadic journey across Southeast Asia, an unexpected invitation from a friend in Hong Kong led Cindy to Chishang for a month-long work-exchange. She had simply wanted to rediscover Taiwan, but she never expected to fall in love with Chishang at first sight.
When looking for the right home for her new venture, many suggested Yilan or Tainan. Yet Cindy’s mind was made up from the start. For her, the deciding factor was the people. She understood that while digital nomads are used to being alone, traveling from place to place with just a backpack, they harbor a deep, often unspoken longing for genuine local community.
In Chishang, she found that missing piece. “I was caught in a torrential downpour at a local café once,” she shares. “The owner handed me an umbrella without asking where I lived or when I’d return. That absolute, unguarded trust was profoundly moving.”
After thirteen years of living abroad, Cindy was so touched by this genuine warmth, which felt unique to Chishang. It inspired her to build her nest here. Now, she embraces a simple life where everything is just a bicycle ride away, always ready to welcome travelers from all over the world.
It’s Not Just About Working, It’s About Living Together
Walking into Roots, you won’t find the cold and rigid vibe of a typical urban co-working space. Instead, you’re greeted by a relaxing, homey atmosphere. “I want people to feel like they’ve walked into their grandparents’ house, where you’re constantly looked after and fed,” Cindy laughs.
At Roots, you can simply order a drink or buy a Traveler Card to enjoy an endless supply of local Taiwanese snacks. Outside food is welcome here, and whenever Cindy whips something up in the kitchen, she generously shares it with everyone in the space. This warm, hospitality-driven interaction is exactly what gives Roots its irreplaceable charm.
The people who gather here are incredibly diverse. You’ll meet freelance engineers in their 20s and 30s from Europe or the Americas, alongside German and Australian tourists drawn here purely by nature and a desire to explore Taitung. Within this space, a wonderful chemistry is constantly brewing.
Starry Nights and Instant Friendships
“One night was so incredibly chill, with barely any guests around. I was talking to some newly arrived travelers, and at midnight, we just decided to grab our bikes and head out into the pitch-black rice fields to look at the stars.”
Even through a screen during our online interview, her voice sparkled with the joy of that memory.
Beyond the foreign travelers, local remote workers also bring a distinct rhythm to the space. By day, it’s all intense focus and hard work. Post-dinner, however, they switch modes in a heartbeat, playing board games and chatting. When they want to turn it up a notch, they’ll shut off the lights, fire up the karaoke machine, and turn the co-working space into a private concert venue.
“People switch from work mode to fun mode so quickly,” Cindy laughs. “It feels like everyone has known each other for years.”
Balancing Ideals with Reality
Running a coworking space in rural Taitung may sound romantic, but the reality comes with its own challenges.
Eastern Taiwan experiences frequent earthquakes, unpredictable tourist flows, and a local lifestyle that contrasts sharply with Taipei’s nonstop pace. “People here care more about the quality of life than maximizing profit,” Cindy explains with a gentle smile. “Sometimes, the business hours on Google Maps are more of a suggestion than a guarantee.”
Building a steady community in such an environment is no easy task, as gatherings often depend on special events or seasonal waves of visitors. “I’ve always known this would be a challenge,” she says candidly when reflecting on the setbacks.
What keeps her going is a beautiful shift in mindset. “If I had wanted to maximize revenue, I would have opened in Taipei. Choosing Chishang means embracing a vision, not chasing money.” Once she started seeing Roots as her own home, a place to welcome people just like grandparents welcoming family, the quiet days stopped discouraging her.
By letting go of the constant pressure for growth and numbers, Roots has become her gentle refuge.
A New Chapter: The Resident Shopkeeper Program
This year, Roots embraces a new chapter with the launch of its Resident Shopkeeper Program. Cindy cleared out her own bedroom behind the space, transforming her private sanctuary into a stage for dreamers.
“So many people come to Chishang and get this sudden, passionate urge to open their own little shop right here. But in reality, taking that first step is hard,” Cindy says. This program was born to break down those walls. Participants only need to cover basic rent and utilities to move right in. They are completely free to design their own menus, use all the professional equipment in the space, and keep every single penny of their earnings.
This initiative has already begun to bloom beautifully in Chishang’s fertile soil. Cindy’s nomadic friends have arrived one after another to take the reins. One close friend from Taipei, who never had the chance to fulfill their coffee-roasting dreams back in the city, finally found a stage here. Another traveler, who had spent seven years wandering through every country in South America, brought back rich and heartwarming soup recipes from the journey, realizing the ultimate dream of running a shop while staying on the move.
Watching this group of global nomads finally enjoy life freely and pour their passion into this space has made every single challenge worth it. For them, Roots is no longer just a workplace; it is the sanctuary where their dreams come true.
Looking at them, Cindy says with deep emotion, “Seeing them like this makes me feel so incredibly grateful that I made this choice in the beginning.”
Choose the Life That Brings You Joy
If she could travel back in time to stand before her younger self – that girl arriving in Chishang with nothing but a 65-liter backpack and a heart full of uncertainty – Cindy knows exactly what she would say:
“The road ahead is going to be a wild ride. Trust it, and keep going.”
That very road has led her through years of wonders. She has stood in the middle of midnight rice fields where the absence of streetlights revealed a magnificent galaxy stretching across the sky. She has felt the selfless kindness of a stranger handing her an umbrella in a sudden downpour. And now, she watches fellow wandering souls anchor their dreams within her space, calling Roots their second home in Taiwan.
For the countless individuals currently sitting in city offices, feeling that restlessness stir inside and imagining a different way of life, Cindy doesn’t offer a cookie-cutter formula. Instead, she poses a gentle but powerful question:
“Ask yourself: Will the lifestyle you are imagining truly bring you a sense of deep happiness? What kind of happiness are you actually looking for? Let that desired happiness guide your choices, rather than blindly following the footsteps of money.”
Cindy’s journey reminds us that if we are willing to listen to our inner voice, no matter how wild the path ahead may seem, we will eventually find a place where our souls can rest and take root.
Just like this sanctuary nestled beneath the aroma of rice fields and starry skies, Roots will always keep a warm, welcoming light on for the digital nomads finding their way home.
About the author
Irene Chen is the Content Marketing Editor at the Taiwan Digital Nomad Association, where she works on stories and content exploring digital nomadism, remote work, and location-independent lifestyles in Taiwan. She is passionate about connecting international communities with local places and people, and sharing stories that inspire more people to experience Taiwan beyond the usual tourist routes. Learn more about Roots Coworking Space.
