Travel
Turkish Wu Feng loves Taiwan / Olympics vs. "queueing" — Taiwanese would definitely win gold
Turks and Taiwanese both love a good crowd, but there’s a slight difference in essence. In Turkey, if there’s a car accident, a crowd will definitely gather to watch. Though Taiwanese people might do the same to some extent, they’re even more enthusiastic about gathering around food-related spots.
Choose from nearly 90 drink options! High-value hot pot at Minsheng Community
Located near Minsheng Community, the pansy hot pot spot specializes in set-style hot pot, with each pot coming with appetizers, main courses, desserts, and drinks. Notably, they offer up to 80+ drink varieties, providing a rich selection. As part of a special promotion, from now until the end of February, show the "ETtoday News Cloud" app when you visit and receive a small voucher with your purchase!
Li Fangyu witnessed modern-day Qing dynasty lookalikes & marveled at the "huge lump of hair" on the Long-Horned Miao women
In China’s remote mountainous regions lie many lesser-known magical hidden places. In Yunnan, there is an ethnic minority settlement that seems like a "Qing dynasty brought to life." The locals not only maintain the ancient tradition of long hair passed down through generations, but their hairstyles also closely resemble those of the Qing people, leaving Li Fangyu exclaiming, "Oh my God, I’ve actually seen Qing people with my own eyes!"
Giant gashapon machines are all the rage now — A look back at the “Top 10 Hottest Travel & Food Trends of 2017”
It’s the first day of 2018 — how would you sum up 2017? ETtoday Travel Cloud rounds up the hottest trends in travel and food for 2017. See how many you caught on to!
Kenting Baisha Bay is so beautiful! The art director of 'Life of Pi' says he wants to settle in Taiwan in the future
The first 3D adventure blockbuster directed by Ang Lee, *Life of Pi*, ends with Pi drifting to a sandy beach where he collapses weakly on the shore. This stretch of fine white sand is actually Kenting Baisha Bay in southern Taiwan. The beauty of Baisha Bay is not only stunning in the film, but even the art director of *Life of Pi* once said, "I want to settle here in the future."
Hi there! No US visa required Taipei–Hawaii direct flights in July
The US visa waiver brings huge business opportunities to the tourism market. For those who love Hawaii’s oceanic tropical charm, they no longer have to put up with the hassle of layovers—the “Taipei–Honolulu” direct flight route will launch next July.
Turkish Wu Feng loves Taiwan / Taiwanese people sure can eat — do they have bottoms as wide as boats?
There is a type of restaurant that is very common in Taiwan, and that is the “all-you-can-eat” buffet. I’ve lived in Taiwan for six years now and have, of course, been to many all-you-can-eat restaurants. For me, “all-you-can-eat” means “eat until your stomach explodes,” because Taiwanese people’s eating “power” at buffets is truly incredibly strong!
Kissing in front of the “boss” 2,500-yuan soak turned into 100-yuan deal
After December arrives, temperatures continue to drop, making it the perfect weather for a hot spring soak. The New Taipei City Government has partnered with 10 well-known local businesses to exclusively launch the “Happiness for a Lifetime” value package on December 13 and 14. Couples or spouses who follow the event’s requirements to create a symbol of happiness can purchase a hot spring and gourmet combo package—originally priced between 1,380 and 2,500 yuan—for just 100 yuan.
East Coast Recruiting Travel Influencers – Record Bonuses and Routes
The second East Coast Travel Influencer Recruitment ended on October 30 this year, with over 10,000 participants traveling to the East Coast to take part in the event. To help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Hualien and Taitung, future routes will include more tribal experience activities and challenge missions. The bonus has also been raised from NT$5,000 to NT$6,000, and the top 100 participants with the highest accumulated points will become East Coast Travel Influencers and win the bonus.
Ang Lee instantly recognized it — the deserted island in "Life of Pi" is an exact match to the Banyan Garden
The first 3D adventure blockbuster directed by Ang Lee, "Life of Pi," was largely filmed in Taiwan. The scene where Pi drifts to a mysterious, rhesus monkey–infested cannibal island was shot at Kenting’s “Banyan Garden.” According to Xiao Man, a local resident who accompanied Lee during location scouting, the real Banyan Garden looks exactly like the illustrated version in the film — what a coincidence.
Get your hands on Sanxing scallions here — a generously sized scallion pancake in Yilan, elevated with a special spicy sauce that’s simply irresistible
One of the must-try snacks in Yilan is the scallion pancake. Last time, I specifically asked locals where they go, and to my surprise, everyone recommended the same place — “Dongshan Jinzhu Scallion Pancake.” It was actually already on my long-time to-try list too. Recently, when I visited Luodong to hang out with friends, I found out that “Dongshan Jinzhu Scallion Pancake” (Luodong Branch) was right on the same road. Of course, I had to stop by and give it a try.
Come for brunch / Embrace industrial grit – A café born from barter and reclaimed wood
When it comes to Yanchengpu, many may only know it as Kaohsiung’s old district where the city first flourished but has since fallen into decline. However, with the opening of the Orange Line MRT, this area is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Beyond its many delicious street snacks, it’s also close to the popular Pier-2 Art Center and the West Harbor Bikeway. Right by the MRT exit plaza, next to the old Dashin Department Store, sits a uniquely characterful café – MARS Workshop.
Snow blankets Shirakawa-go for a week, creating a fairytale-like 'gingerbread village'
As temperatures continue to drop, central Japan has also started to see snowfall. Shirakawa-go, a Gassho-style village in the region that saw its first snow in late November, has turned entirely white after a week of snow. The snow-covered Gassho houses create a dreamy, fairy-tale-like scene that is especially beautiful and ushers in a white prelude to the upcoming Christmas season.
Youth / The wall has fallen down: Zhang Liangyi elected as UN youth representative through final selection
The high wall of the United Nations has truly been breached this time by Taiwanese youth. At the 18th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18), Zhang Liangyi, chairman of the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition, stood out among youth representatives from around the world to become the only official UN youth representative internationally. He will meet with the UN Secretary-General to present concrete demands, helping the world “see Taiwan.”
Photo Gallery | Taipei 101 New Year's Eve Light and Fireworks Show Dazzles on the Countdown
Photo Gallery | Taipei 101 New Year's Eve Light and Fireworks Show Dazzles on the Countdown
The Alishan Impressions Sunrise Concert – Welcome the dawn with symphony
The Alishan Impressions Sunrise Concert – Welcome the dawn with symphony
Watch the sunrise and enjoy the sea view at Dapeng Cape (Santiao Cape)! The ¥100 Fulong bento surprisingly comes with Gongliao abalone.
Watch the sunrise and enjoy the sea view at Dapeng Cape (Santiao Cape)! The ¥100 Fulong bento surprisingly comes with Gongliao abalone.
A fairytale "Japanese-style" thatched cottage in the mountains—Taiwan’s post-disaster mountain retreat makes a comeback
Step into a fairy-tale wonderland. This isn’t a homestay or tourist attraction, but a residential area nestled among the mountains, located in Den’ana on Alishan in Chiayi. Its mysterious charm, akin to a hidden Shangri-La, takes your breath away. The small thatched cottages are later-built residences, and behind their breathtaking scenery lies a history of devastation.
Retro is in vogue again: Nostalgic film vibes blow through Starbucks as customers get to play mahjong
The fusion of traditional and modern decor continues to make waves around the world. In Hong Kong, there’s a Starbucks that combines traditional art with innovative culture to create a trendy new hub for coffee, local culture, art, and cinema. The store features vintage signage, seating, and walls, and even has a “mahjong wall” entirely made of mahjong tiles, with the phrase “Great show upstairs!” written on it.
Elected as UN Youth Representative: Zhang Liangyi – If Adults Don’t Act, No Win Is a Win
Zhang Liangyi, a young Taiwanese, broke through the numerous barriers the UN had set for Taiwan and was elected as an official youth representative. In an exclusive interview with ETtoday News Cloud, he simply responded: “Thank you to everyone for your concern, but if adults don’t take more action, and we lose this battle at the UN Climate Change Conference, then no matter how many times we win the UN Youth Representative election, it doesn’t count as a real victory!” He expressed his continued determination to fight for climate change.