Travel
Travel Weekly / Forget the Rainy Weekend — Kaohsiung’s “Big Balloon Parade” Takes to the Streets
This Sunday’s balloon parade will stretch for 1 kilometer and promises to be lively and spectacular. If you want to avoid the rain and opt for indoor activities, consider visiting the special exhibition of *Life of Pi* or the 3D illusion art show to immerse yourself in endless imagination. For a taste of Christmas spirit, take a short trip to New Taipei City and stroll through Christmas Town to experience the festive splendor.
The stunning "Japanese girl" Yu Chengjing lights up Christmas – even more dazzling than the lights
As Christmas approaches, how do you truly experience the holiday spirit? On the 7th, New Taipei City Government gathered six festive beauties for an outdoor photoshoot at Christmasland to promote the special event “Hidden Gems of Christmas in New Taipei.” The lineup instantly became the center of attention, featuring the ultra-popular online “Japanese girl” Yu Chengjing, as well as two “Christmas sisters” who strikingly resemble Vivian Hsu and Joey Wong, capturing everyone’s eyes.
That's the boat!! Zeppelin releases aerial photos of the Life of Pi wave pool in Taichung
As more scenes from Ang Lee’s Life of Pi continue to be unveiled across Taiwan, renowned aerial photographer Chi Po-lin recently shared an aerial photo of the “Taichung Shuinan Airport wave pool” on his Facebook page. The image shows a small white boat gently bobbing in the wave pool — the very same boat that carried Pi on the ocean in the film. This scene, which looks as if one has truly stepped into the movie, prompted netizens from mainland China to exclaim: “Taiwan, you’re amazing!”
The "Sacred Ridge Snow Cover" in Xueshan (Snow Mountain) has made its debut! The snow cover is expected to last for 4 to 7 days.
One of the "Eight Scenic Wonders of Snow View," the "Sacred Ridge Snow Cover," has reappeared! On the 5th, Shei-Pa National Park posted on Facebook about this winter-exclusive spectacle — the "Sacred Ridge Snow Cover." Due to the cold front that hit on the 5th, rain gave way to clear skies on the 6th, leaving the mountains blanketed in pristine white snow. The Sacred Ridge looked as if it were covered with a giant white quilt, drawing endless admiration from the public, who couldn't wait to go and admire the snow. The park management stated that if high-altitude temperatures remain low, the snow cover could last for 4 to 7 days.
Taiwan through the eyes of foreign students: Yingge is like an "elegant young lady"
What is Taiwan really like in the eyes of foreign students? The New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau yesterday (6th) held an exhibition of works from its “Stay and Play” experience event for international students in Taiwan. Twenty international students from 12 countries shared their travel experiences online, among them Chen Guanyu from Malaysia, who described Yingge as “like an elegant young lady.”
The first sunrise of 2018 appears at Erliau in Tainan as locals cheer and dance the shoulder-shaking dance
The first sunrise of 2018 appears at Erliau in Tainan as locals cheer and dance the shoulder-shaking dance
Welcoming the sunrise in Kenting, but thick clouds dash hopes of a successful sighting
Welcoming the sunrise in Kenting, but thick clouds dash hopes of a successful sighting
Christmas Carnival Kicks Off – Macau Festival Market Offers Singing, Dancing & Shopping
As the Christmas windmills start spinning, the magic of Christmas around the world begins to unfold. Hotels in Macau have also started decorating for the holidays, offering everything from fairy-tale music, candy windmills, and colorful Christmas markets, to a variety of festive foods and gifts. Travelers planning a trip to soak up the Christmas atmosphere may want to take note.
Welcome Taiwan’s First Sunrise – Uni Air Adds Extra Flights to Taitung
As New Year’s Eve excitement builds, Taitung County is the only municipality in Taiwan hosting both a countdown and a “sunrise welcoming” event, leading to sold-out trains and flights during the New Year holiday. In addition to the extra train services approved by Taiwan Railways, Uni Air will operate one additional round-trip flight between Taipei and Taitung from December 25 to December 31, aiming to allow more people to bid farewell to the old year in Taitung and welcome the first sunrise of 2013 nationwide.
'Life of Pi' Paris Pool Premiere Becomes Reality — Audiences Must Wear Life Jackets to Board
Recently, a photo of 'Life of Pi' being screened in a swimming pool at Paris’s Pailleron Pool went viral online. This 'Life of Pi' premiere, which many netizens wondered "how it could possibly happen," became a reality on the evening of December 7th, French time. 20th Century Fox released footage of the event online, showing audiences actually wearing life jackets and 3D glasses, experiencing Pi's "life of fantasy" in a pool filled with water.
Hot Spring Fun / Yilan Toucheng’s “Boy-Bearing Spring” Gushes from 800 Meters Deep in Rock Layers
When it comes to soaking in hot springs in Yilan, many people’s first thought is Jiaoxi Hot Springs. But in Toucheng, also in Yilan, there’s a very special kind of “iron spring” that’s also highly popular among hot spring enthusiasts. In Japan, iron spring is called “tetsu no yu,” and it’s also known by the nickname “Boy-Bearing Spring.”
Taiwan’s Top 10 Temple “Pilgrim Dormitories” – Accommodation Fees Depend Entirely on Your Generosity
Pilgrim dormitories are found all across Taiwan, from north to south. The quality of accommodation might surprise you — some are completely free, and others even offer six-star service with dedicated staff. For those planning an island-wide trip who want to save money while experiencing an alternative form of lodging that’s said to “bring good fortune,” consider using the temple pilgrim dormitories scattered throughout Taiwan as your base and embark on a unique “Taiwan Pilgrimage Tour”!
Traveling in a hotel room / "Mobile Lodging" — The Eastern & Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore
In 1920, Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, then living in Paris, wrote: “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” Using his words to describe the journey of the Eastern & Oriental Express across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand — replacing Paris with the Express — not only isn’t an exaggeration, but actually enhances the imagery.
The “Tribe Forgotten by God” — Smangus, so beautiful it makes you forget the danger
A bus accident occurred on the 9th in Smangus, Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, where the vehicle fell into a valley. Suspected to be caused by slippery roads due to rain, the bus first hit a mountain wall before losing control and plummeting into the ravine. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead. The news has shocked the nation and has led to renewed scrutiny of this route to the “Tribe of God,” which in fact harbors numerous hidden dangers. Future travelers planning to visit Smangus must first check road and weather conditions to avoid accidents.
Brunch / A Subdued Extravaganza — Futuristic Vegetarian Fine Dining
The brand soul of Le Méridien Xiamen belongs to Paris—black and white, the two extreme colors on the spectrum, weave together to define the identity of this renowned hotel chain, embodying timeless elegance, refined taste, and a stylish allure.
A Winter Mini-Trip to Yilan: Soak in Hot Springs Surrounded by Mountains and Sea for a Cozy Escape
A winter mini-trip not only brings people closer together through the cooler temperatures, but the chilly atmosphere also adds a touch of charm. That wistful yet heartwarming vibe makes the journey all the more romantic. The Leo Ocean Hot Spring Hotel, nestled in the Beiguan Scenic Area of Toucheng, Yilan, is a fantastic destination for winter travel. With guest rooms built against mountains and overlooking the sea, about 70% of them offer views of the Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island right from the window.
Seawater instantly vaporizes as Kilauea volcano erupts — magma tourism hits peak popularity
Traveling to the polar regions or the Amazon rainforest — does that sound exotic? Now there’s an even more unusual experience waiting for you. According to international reports, over the past few weeks, a “magma tour” has become popular in Hawaii, USA. Tourists take boats directly to where the lava flows into the sea to witness the spectacular sight of molten lava meeting water, with the intense heat instantly vaporizing the seawater.
UK royal pregnancy sparks vacation baby boom; Japan becomes Taiwan’s favorite destination for conception
The British royal family confirmed that Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is expecting a royal baby. According to foreign media estimates, this could be the love child conceived during their visit to Singapore. As a result, Hotels.com, the global leader in online hotel bookings, conducted a survey among travelers in the Asia-Pacific region and found that many people plan to use their holidays to prepare for pregnancy. Interestingly, Japan has emerged as the top vacation spot where Taiwanese travelers most frequently conceive.
“The Most Loving Fish” – The Dolphinfish (Mahi-Mahi)! In *Life of Pi*, Pi had no choice but to stun it, bringing him to tears
What are the “most loving fish” in the ocean? Actually, they appeared in Ang Lee’s movie *Life of Pi: The Imaginary Voyage*. When the starving Pi caught one and knocked it out with an axe, the originally vegetarian boy burst into tears from heartbreak. Li Yili, an amateur fisherman from Xiaoliuqiu Island, said: “The fish Pi caught was a dolphinfish. Yesterday, I also caught a male one. It struggled hard, and at the same time, I saw a female fish closely following and staying by its side without leaving. Unable to bear it, I decided to let it go.”
First-time New Year's countdown? Here’s your guide to Taiwan’s star-studded events, locations, and schedules!
With just three weeks left until 2013, have you decided where to ring in the New Year? ETtoday News Cloud has compiled countdown information from cities and counties across Taiwan, including times, venues, and performing artists. For those still unsure where to go, check out this series of exciting events from north to south—no more worrying about having nowhere to celebrate!