( CNN ) -- We 've all heard the old adage that travel is about the journey , not the destination . Now , a travel company in Taipei , Taiwan , is taking the concept so literally that it 's not even bothering to list the destinations on its newest city tour . That 's because not even the company knows where its customers will be heading once they 've booked a tour . The company is called Topology and its unique , experiential tour is called the Taxi Diary . 'We 're going where ? ' Though the results can range from mundane to memorable , the Taxi Diary concept is simple . Customers pay NTD1,000 ( $ 33 ) for the privilege of doing a ride-along in a local taxi for a four-hour stint . The tourists travel wherever the taxi is called upon to go by its normal customers . Topology -- the same company that let travelers to be a sweet potato mama for a day -- says the appeal of the tour comes from traveling to destinations entirely dictated by whoever hires the taxi . `` This idea came to me a long time ago when I was a passenger in a taxi , '' says Peter Lin , Topology co-founder . `` That driver was so talkative that we chatted nonstop during the half-hour drive . He told me where to find great food in town . '' `` Ever since , I 've thought letting taxi drivers and local commuters be city guides might be a good idea . '' Topology 's Taxi Diary tour was launched last month . So far one traveler from the United States and one from England have tried the tour , according to the company . Those two tours ended up zipping past usual tourist spots such as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall , Xinyi District and the Office of the President . They also took in places that are n't easily accessible to travelers , such as locations in New Taipei City , an hour from Taipei 's city center . Unknown alleys , dinner invitations . Lin took a trial ride before the tour was officially launched . `` At first , it felt really weird , honestly , because we never sit in a taxi for such a long time and ( never ) meet people we are n't familiar with , '' he says . `` But even for those of us who were born and raised in Taipei , we hit some alleys we 've never been to and saw scenes that we would n't see if we were on foot . It felt great . '' Aside from new sights , Lin says the main draw of Taxi Diary is the chance to meet local people . `` Taiwanese are famous for our hospitality , so travelers can make friends with local commuters and the driver , '' he says . `` One passenger invited Harry , our traveler from England , to her new house in the Linkou District and treated him a big meal with her family . '' Finding the right drivers . Finding taxi drivers willing to collaborate was challenging at first . `` We needed to convince drivers that this tour would n't impact their business , that it 's ( actually ) going to help due to the extra income they receive from the tour , '' says Lin . Taxi Diary now works with five English-speaking taxi drivers . Signs displayed in each cab explain the tour concept to potential customers before they decide to hire the cab . Another bonus for the drivers , according to Lin , is exposure to foreigners . `` The drivers might not have too many chances to go abroad , but travelers can bring the world to them , '' he says . `` Our taxi drivers are all happy to have the chance to connect to the world . '' So what if there are n't a lot of passengers during a given tour ? `` This never happens , but our backup plan is to take travelers to traditional tourist spots and enjoy a local meal with the driver . `` Taxi drivers are the best tour guides -- they know Taipei so well and the meals they choose are always awesome . `` A journey is not about the sights , but about the insights gained from the experience and the people you meet . `` These are what make a journey unique and unforgettable . '' Topology Taxi Diary ; NTD1,000 ( $ 33 ) for four hours ; discount of NTD350 ( $ 12 ) for the first three participants each month ; booking available online on the Topology website ; tours can accommodate up to two travelers .
A new tour in Taipei , Taiwan , allows tourists to do four - hour ride - alongs in local taxis . Tourists go wherever local residents hire the cabs to go . The goal is going to unexpected locations and meeting chatty locals . An English tourist was invited to a Taiwanese restaurant , by a passenger in his taxi .