Why go-bags are becoming part of daily life in Taiwan

For others, disaster readiness became personal through unexpected triggers. Ting-ho Lai, a 32-year-old fashion consultant, turned into a prepper when her cat was diagnosed with diabetes. She realized her own survival was essential to keeping her pets alive. Now her bag is neatly organized: food, maps, first aid, an emergency blanket, even photos of her wife for comfort. She avoids Chinese-made products, believing each purchase indirectly fuels the very threat Taiwan fears. For Lai, preparing for conflict is exhausting, but it provides a sense of control over an uncertain future.

Veterans and survival trainers join in

Taiwan’s civil-defence industry has also grown. Kyle Hu, a former army sergeant, now runs a training business that offers tactical first aid and survival courses. His go-bag costs nearly $4,000 and contains camouflage clothing, gas masks and body armour, though he warns against dressing like a soldier to avoid becoming a target. His philosophy is blunt: “Nobody likes war, but even if the chance is 1%, we still need to be ready.”

Generational trauma drives stockpiling

For 60-year-old Yen Chin-chih, preparedness is rooted in memory. She survived Taiwan’s devastating 1999 earthquake and has spent more than two decades building an arsenal of supplies. Her 600-square-foot apartment is crammed with bottled water, food that lasts until 2054, radios, generators and even radiation detectors. A detailed spreadsheet tracks expiration dates and calories. Yet her preparations meet the limits of reality: her 90-year-old mother depends on her. “I would never just grab a bag and run out,” she admits.

Everyday life, lived alongside risk

Prepping in Taiwan is not just about worst-case scenarios. Parents teach children to pack for hikes in a way that doubles as evacuation training. Preppers swap tips online about integrating survival gear into stylish everyday bags. And across generations, from kids to retirees, the contents of go-bags reflect the balance between practicality and humanity—stuffed toys, photos, snacks, medicines, and tools all sit side by side.

A fragile calm under constant threat

Taiwanese officials continue urging citizens to prepare without sowing panic. Yet with U.S. warnings about China’s 2027 military ambitions, and climate disasters becoming more intense, go-bags symbolize more than survival—they represent a determination to endure. As one prepper put it: “It will never be enough. But it’s better than doing nothing.”