Travel
New Taipei City’s Second Tourist Hotel Opens, Offering Forest Phytoncides in the Mountains of Sanxia
Following the Fleur de Chine Hotel in Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, New Taipei City’s second tourist hotel has been established. “Daban Root Resort Hotel” becomes the city’s second international tourist hotel. Located at No. 79, Chajiao Village, Sanxia District, it offers diverse recreational activities such as enjoying the forest phytoncides of the Sanxia mountains and soaking in hot springs.
The world's best job!! Chen Wen-chen: I won't give up on showing Taiwan to the world
“(Kookaburra...) That was the sound that woke me up during a morning desert adventure… If you were in my shoes, what kind of working holiday would you want? I’m BaoBao, from Taiwan, an inland adventurer!” This is the entry video of Taiwanese girl—Chen Wen-chen (BaoBao)—who was selected as a finalist for the “Best Jobs in the World.” The phrase “from Taiwan” energized her one hundred thousand fans.
Pink skewers without sauce Owner: "Eat them and you'll definitely fall in love with me"
The weekend is just around the corner — have you decided where to dine out with friends? In recent years, skewer izakayas have become all the rage, with shops of all sizes popping up one after another. These spots have tapped into the habits of some office workers who enjoy unwinding after work with a few drinks, ordering some skewers as an appetizer, then washing it down with a beer. It’s not just about the food, but also the vibe.
Yunlin County's Dream-Coming-True Amusement Park Trip for Families with Disabilities: Rediscovering Childhood Joy and Courage with "Little Wei"
Amusement parks are a common destination for many during school graduation trips, but for those with severe disabilities, visiting one is nothing short of a "dream come true." Initiated by Douliu Mayor Xie Shuyah, a well-known theme park launched Taiwan’s largest indoor children’s play zone 12 years ago, joining forces with operators to help children with disabilities fulfill their dreams. Now, with the launch of the "Little Wei’s Pirate Village" theme area, they have once again arranged for these children to visit, hoping to inspire a spirit of adventure that fears no difficulty.
Evergreen Taipei–Asahikawa Inaugural Flight Makes Travel to Hokkaido More Convenient
Evergreen Airlines' Taipei–Asahikawa route officially commenced its inaugural flight today (2nd). Benefiting from Japan’s open skies policy, Evergreen Airlines has expanded its presence in Hokkaido. In addition to the long-established Taipei–Sapporo route, the airline launched its first-ever direct flight to Asahikawa this year. With the addition of this new route, along with existing services to Obihiro, Memanbetsu, and Wakkanai, the total number of flights per week to Hokkaido has reached 14.
"Rubber Duck" Floats into Hong Kong – Victoria Harbour Becomes a Giant Bathtub
The star toy "Rubber Duck" taking a bath in the tub officially entered Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong today (2nd)! The "Rubber Duck Around the World 'Hong Kong Stop'" held its unveiling ceremony this morning at the Ocean Terminal of Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. This giant 16.5-meter-tall "Rubber Duck" floated into the Ocean Terminal of Harbour City, escorted by Hong Kong's last Chinese-style junk boat, the "Afloat Duck," instantly turning Victoria Harbour into a huge bathtub.
“Cloth Sanitary Pads” Challenge Menstrual Taboos; A Taiwanese Girl Becomes the Most Beautiful Sight in Nepal
“One morning, a little girl wakes up to find a red stain on her pants, only to be immediately taken by her family to a cowshed or a thatched hut for isolation—because that drop of red blood discharged from her body is considered impure and unclean by the people of Nepal.” This is a shared memory among women in Nepal, a country at the foot of the Himalayas known as the “Land of the Gods.” For girls, their first encounter with “menstruation” is a series of confusion and helplessness.
Crunchy Ice Cream！Unique flavors like pistachio, prune, and guava
In the late spring
Firefly Viewing / No.1 Firefly Spot in Northern Taiwan — Hsinchu’s Neiwan Has Protected Fireflies for 11 Years
Do you still remember that familiar Taiwanese children’s song from childhood, “Firefly, come have some tea, the tea is hot, eat some bananas…”? The fireflies, also known as fireflies (火金姑), with their flickering tiny lights, have gradually disappeared — due to environmental changes on one hand, and improper firefly-viewing behavior by tourists on the other. To promote correct firefly viewing among the public, the Syinlin Cultural and Educational Foundation held a vote for Taiwan’s top ten firefly viewing spots. In the north, Hsinchu County’s Neiwan emerged victorious, boasting a rich variety of firefly species and a peak season from April to July.
Firefly Watching / Beyond the Swarm of “Fireflies” – “Night Elves” Also Emerge at Sheding Park
During the transitional season between spring and summer, which is also peak “firefly” season, Kenting’s Sheding Nature Park—ranked among Taiwan’s Top 10 Firefly-Watching Spots—under its pristine natural conditions, sees thousands of fireflies lighting up the woods every spring holiday season. On days following rainfall, in addition to the “fireflies,” visitors might even catch a glimpse of the beautiful “night elves,” which emit their own glow and are found only on the ground surface.
Explore Taipei’s “Top 10 Happiness & Fun Travel Itineraries” – Wenwan joins in to give away limited-edition Q-version ticket card holders
The vote for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ “Taiwan’s Top 10 Happiness & Fun Travel Itineraries” is heating up. To boost their rankings, Zhao Xinping, Director of Taipei City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, popular blogger Wenwan, Liu Jiahao, PR Manager of Taipei 101, and Zhou Shuimei, Chairman of Taipei City Business District Industry Federation, have joined forces to rally for votes. By scanning the QR code on the Taipei 101 mascot featured in the campaign’s main visual using your mobile phone, you can cast your vote and receive a limited-edition ticket card holder designed by Wenwan along with an itinerary map.
Weak Yen Boosts Japan Travel; TransAsia Airways Launches Flights to Ishigaki Island on the 23rd
TransAsia Airways announced on May 6 that it will launch regular flights to Ishigaki Island, Japan, starting May 23, with one round-trip flight each on Thursdays and Sundays. This marks the first airline service from Taiwan to the newly opened Ishigaki Airport. The new route is not only the airline’s first new Northeast Asia route this year, but also its third international route following the Taichung–Macau and Taoyuan–Bangkok services. TransAsia has been actively expanding its route network recently, with plans to begin flights to Zhangjiajie, China, on June 2, and to Chiang Mai, Thailand, on July 3.
Tom Cruise’s Taiji Beef Noodles Cause a Duplicate Controversy – Small Shop Threatens to Sue Five-Star Hotel
Last month, Tom Cruise visited Taiwan and stayed at a well-known five-star hotel in the country. The hotel not only assigned him a private butler but also brought a mini salad bar into his presidential suite. Additionally, one of the culinary treats offered to Cruise was a dish referred to by the hotel at the time as “Taiji Champion Beef Noodles.” However, this creatively presented bowl of beef noodles has sparked a duplicate controversy.
Not just the Rubber Duckie！The banquet favorite “giant roasted suckling pig” appears in Victoria Harbour
Aside from the super-sized “Rubber Duckie” making its way to Hong Kong, a gigantic “roast suckling pig” has also emerged near Victoria Harbour. This “giant pig,” dozens of times larger than an ordinary roast suckling pig, with shiny eyes and belly, lies sprawled on the shore. Hong Kong residents, upon seeing both the Yellow Duck and this “roast pig,” couldn’t help but joke, “With a duck and a pig, Hong Kong truly is a food capital!”
I may not be pretty, but I sure am delicious—Matsu’s “Buddha’s Hand” seafood is addictive the more you eat!
Upon your first visit to Matsu, you might be surprised to see a food item that looks like the “palm” of some creature. This unusual item can be found fresh and just-caught at local markets, or prepared in various dishes at restaurants. When you’re in Matsu, trying this oddly shaped “delicacy” is a must.
No Wi-Fi provided “Let Books Travel” – a cozy lane café
On a leisurely afternoon, step into the alleys near National Taiwan University. With a turn, the aroma of mango greets you, as fruit trees sway gently in the small courtyard. Step inside the yard, push open the door, and you’re warmly welcomed by the scent of books and coffee. This is a bookstore with fragrance.
Sculptor crafts a sand Li Ang, cradling 'Life of Pi' and holding an Oscar — Crowd: "Uncanny!"
The 2013 Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival kicked off in full swing today (4th), drawing large crowds to the Fulong area on its opening day. Surrounded by exquisite sand sculptures, both children and adults enjoyed a joyful return to their "childhood" at Fulong Beach. Among the works, sand sculpting masters from ten countries around the world showcased their whimsical creations on Fulong’s sandy shores. Notably, the "sand sculpture of Li Ang" captured even his shy demeanor perfectly, leaving onlookers amazed.
Business Weekly / Are National Park Fees a Rip-off?
The Ministry of the Interior plans to charge fees for national parks, and some criticize this as "skinning" people for money. However, as long as national parks exist, the public will inevitably be "skinned"—the only difference is that charging fees allows people to freely choose whether they want to be "skinned."
Spoil Mom / Take Mom on a Trip – Top Picks: Taiwan’s Maldives & May Snow Viewing
Mother’s Day is just around the corner—have you decided how to celebrate with Mom yet? Actually, Mother’s Day isn’t just about treating Mom to a nice meal; it’s also a great opportunity to take her on a trip, escape the daily hustle, and make the most of your time together. This time, ETtoday EBC News Cloud specially interviewed several local travel experts to compile a list of must-visit destinations that are perfect for taking Mom on a trip around Mother’s Day.
Super carbon reduction！Taiwan’s Top 10 Happiness & Fun Travel Itineraries – Worth It for One Day or Two
To balance energy conservation, carbon reduction, and tourism, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has partnered with all 22 counties and cities across Taiwan to promote low-carbon travel via public transport and the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Happiness & Fun Travel Itineraries” voting campaign. The itineraries are divided into one-day and two-day trips. The counties and cities have gone all out in their promotion efforts. At a press conference on the 3rd, not only did they bring out adorable plush dolls to attract attention, but they also created fun QR codes to encourage visitors to vote online via their mobile phones.