TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An American photographer based in Taiwan captured this photo of traditional Taiwanese architecture last month during a major international competition. 

Ryan Hevern (Instagram @downtoexplore), 37, the Digital Marketing Manager for Global and Regional accounts for XTERRA told Taiwan News that he captured the photo on March 19. The structure is part of the Kenting Youth Activity Center, where he stayed in the week leading up to XTERRA Taiwan and the 2024 XTERRA Asia Pacific Championship, a series of endurance races held in Kenting. 

Hevern said the events include an off-road race, full-distance triathlon, trail runs, and a kids duathlon. The center is comprised of several buildings designed by famed Taiwanese architect Han Pao-teh (漢寶德) and is in Pingtung County's Hengchun Township.

On Monday (April 8), the photographer posted images of the center's Minnan-style architecture on Reddit's Taiwan page with the title “Easily the most aesthetically pleasing accommodation in Taiwan.” The post quickly drew 470 upvotes and 22 comments. 

When asked what brought him to Taiwan, Hevern said it was “More or less random. I was living in Borneo, applied to teach English in four different countries and Taiwan responded within two hours.” He has since lived in Taiwan for 10 years and currently resides in Taipei.