Our Story
Experience our vision straight from the Founders.
Our Brand
Black. Black embraces all colors and represents our pursuit for unbiased, premium, well-crafted quality.
The infinity knot. Everything is connected, and our logo represents our commitment to connecting the unknown.
Buddha. Outside of religion, a global symbol of light, positivity, knowledge and goodness.
Black Buddha. A brand dedicated to premium content creation to connect millennial minded explorers with the best destinations, experiences and underground voices around the world.
Quality
When you travel, you don’t want to waste your time or your money finding the best experiences. So, we bring them directly to you and showcase them via high quality media and content that bridges entertainment and utility.
Trust
This isn’t a crowd-sourced platform that leaves you guessing. We provide a first hand view through sight, sound and motion to show you awesome local experiences first hand. We know you want to maximize your time, stretch the value of your dollar and eliminate FOMO. Our mission is to become THAT trusted source you can go to for the best experiential recommendations that are hand picked and authentic to every city. Nobody has a best friend in every city, until now.
Innovation
We wanted to upend the travel media market and offer a new product: a video-led city guide that scouts the best locations and shows them to you through cinematic quality video to inspire exploration and allow you to build your ideal itinerary. Black Buddha applauds the creators, admires the risk-takers, celebrates the innovators and cherishes the classics
Style
Rooted in soulful minimalism, Black Buddha values premium design, favors natural simplicity and selects experiences and brands for intrinsic quality. From greasy spoons to Michelin stars and rugged adventure to luxury travel, we value good taste and unique style intrinsic to the experience itself
Access
Driven by an insatiable appetite for hidden gems and connecting the unknown, we leave no stone unturned in order to bring you the best view of the destination – from the inside. Locally curated, we give you access to the best experiences and behind the scenes insight through exclusive interviews, off menu specials and cultural nuances like no one else can.
Authenticity
We focus on and take pride in providing an authentically local viewpoint. Our city guides are for the locals to uncover everyday experiences right under their nose as well as the regional and international explorers who like to travel like a local. We use our extensive network of scouts to open doors, reveal the soul and give a voice to the city. Tokyo is different than Paris and we want you to feel that.
Wisdom
Not only do we want to show you where to go, but we want to teach you how to do it. Our city guides go deeper by providing cultural primers and “know before you go” information so you can be aware of local customs, etiquette and practices and separate yourself from the tourist hoard.
Happiness
We believe that people are inherently tied together and there are amazing people, stories and experiences everywhere you look – the problem is finding them. We break down barriers to connect the unknown, making it easier to do, learn how, ask why and try something new. Eating the best food, enjoying the best nightlife, perusing the best shops and exploring new places make us happy, and we know we aren’t alone.
Our Process
Leaving no stone unturned, we personally scout every destination and location in person in search of the best experiences that are worth your time.
We independently shoot, edit and produce all of our media and soundtracks to bring our city guides to life through sight, sound and motion.
We publish and distribute new media weekly to provide entertainment and utility and connect millennial minded explorers around the world.
Our Products
City Guides
We independently scout every location and hand pick experiences from the “must dos” to the “hidden gems” that fit our brand standards and are worth your time. Whether it’s a classic local tradition or an under the radar innovation, we will unlock the best of every city so you can spend your time doing, not searching. Black Buddha City Guide will soon be available in Asia, North America and Europe.
Licensing
We license and syndicate our content to trusted distribution partners around the world. Our current partners include Microsoft, Yahoo and GQ. If you are interested in licensing Black Buddha Media, please inquire here.
Private Production
Our proven ability to produce premium video content that captures the essence of aspirational travel and cultural lifestyle entertainment is available for private hire. If you are interested in private production or branded content sponsorships, please inquire here.
Our Team
Dennis Chang
Founder & CEOJon Lin
Co-Founder & CCOSteven Chang
CFORichard Cruz
Lead EditorRebecca Chen
Strategic Partnerships & ProductionVicki Ju
Project Manager & Business OperationsTanley Lau
VideographerDerek Putlak
VideographerMarshall Douglis
VideographerOur Fans
“Honestly who are these guys…such amazing work!”
“OMG dude we have to go together it’s calling us!”
“Thanks, Black Buddha! Been following you guys since the beginning. Very impressive content and shooting style. Really appreciate someone is promoting the hidden gems and lifestyle of Taiwanese culture.”
“This channel is so good!”
“I love all of your videos!”
“I want to go! Take me here!”
“Amazing! Thanks so much Black Buddha, you guys are amazing! Come back anytime for an ice cream sandwich or coffee anytime!”