On May 18, International Museum Day, to encourage the public to visit, learn about, and connect with museums, some museums are holding a series of “night tours, treasure hunts, and exhibitions” during this holiday weekend, extending their opening hours into the evening. Public museums, including the National Palace Museum, will all offer free admission on May 18.
Opened on April 15, 1983, Tokyo Disneyland is celebrating its 30th anniversary in grand style. With “Happiness”—a theme full of joy, delight, and emotion—as the core focus for the entire year, the park has launched a series of celebratory events under the banner of the “Year of Happiness.” Among them, the most popular is the brand-new daytime parade “Happiness Is Here,” specially created for the 30th anniversary, where you can see “the one and only Mickey in the world.”
“Miss, may I buy you a cup of coffee?” A cliché movie line actually played out in real life — and on a China Airlines flight returning from Los Angeles to Taiwan. The flight attendant who was approached, Lin Jiayi, lowered her guard upon seeing passenger Yu Chengzhe with his large student backpack, and for the first time gave her phone number to a stranger. Unexpectedly, Yu Chengzhe began an enthusiastic pursuit after they landed, winning Lin Jiayi’s heart. The couple will officially tie the knot later this year.
Scotland boasts a rich history and culture. Beyond its ancient cities and historic streets, traditions such as bagpipe music and whisky-making offer uniquely memorable travel experiences. For instance, a Scottish hotel reported by the Daily Mail is home to over 1,000 different whisky brands—making it a fantastic destination for travelers with a passion for fine spirits.
The largest summer travel fair, the "2013 International Tourism Expo," is set to kick off this Friday. Due to the incident where the Philippines attacked our fishing boats, the organizers had previously announced the cancellation of six booths from the Philippines. Taipei City Travel Agents Association Chairman Xu also stated at today’s press conference that because of the Philippine incident, Taiwanese people’s willingness to travel to the Philippines has decreased.
TransAsia Airways' flight safety hits another snag. On the afternoon of May 2 last year, TransAsia Airways flight GE515 (hereinafter referred to as TransAsia), flying from Taipei to Magong, was forced to turn back 10 minutes after takeoff due to an engine fire alarm. During the return, the flight also received three stall warnings, but at the time, it was only reported as an abnormal engine signal. The Aviation Safety Council released its latest investigation report on the 20th, stating that the pilots’ handling procedures were inadequate and issued 17 aviation safety improvement recommendations to the relevant authorities.
Is Taiwan really one of the most dangerous travel destinations in the world, ranked alongside Iraq and Afghanistan? An overseas website ranked the “TOP 20 DANGEROUS PLACES TO GO TO FOR A VACATION,” with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan taking the top three spots due to security issues such as war and bombings. Surprisingly, Taiwan also made it onto the “dangerous” list, coming in at 19th place for the most dangerous country.
The sweltering summer heat often kills your appetite, making a refreshing bowl of cold noodles just the thing. In Taipei City, there’s a cold noodle spot that offers a “double-sauce” flavor, which you can customize with homemade Sichuan peppercorn chili sauce or wasabi, instantly adding variety to the classic cold noodle dish.
Visiting Tokyo Disneyland, some choose to stay at Disney hotels to enjoy the magical experience of being surrounded by Disney characters from the moment they wake up. The "Disney Ambassador Hotel," which carries on the retro style of 1930s America, underwent a fresh makeover this February (2013). Mickey, Minnie, and Donald Duck are everywhere, and you can even sleep in a bed with Mickey-themed bedding, covered with Mickey’s clothes and pants.
With the peak summer travel season approaching, overseas tour prices are rising, especially for U.S. routes, which have seen the most dramatic increases. Due to the expanding visa-free effect, more people are interested in traveling to the U.S., causing market tour prices to rise by NT$8,000 to NT$15,000.
Following the closure of the Green Expo, the next major event is the “2013 Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival.” Themed “Rotation,” this 18th edition of the festival used three giant spinning top balloons at the Green Expo’s closing ceremony to symbolize the turning of the event. County Magistrate Lin Tsong-shyan pushed the balloons toward the audience, and everyone counted from one to 18 together. The balloons eventually landed in the hands of three lucky individuals who received Children's Folklore Passports, allowing them to enjoy the 51-day festival to the fullest.
“Mii-chan, Mii-chan!” Upon arriving at Enoshima, just an hour from Tokyo, you’ll easily hear such calls along the roadside. This lesser-known “cat island,” Enoshima, is a place where chubby cats lazily lounge on roadsides—by shrines, monuments, under eaves, and in the grass. Occasionally, when tourists raise their cameras to take photos, the cats nonchalantly approach, engaging in intimate interactions with strangers.
The 2013 Vivid Sydney Festival in Australia will debut on May 24 in The Rocks area of Sydney. Over the 18-day event, iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated by dazzling, colorful lights at night. Admission to the festival is completely free.
Since the opening of Ishigaki Island’s new airport in March this year, airlines have been full of confidence in Okinawa’s new tourism potential. China Airlines Group will launch direct flights to Ishigaki Island in July, while renowned blogger “The Queen” will lead Taiwanese travelers on a maiden trip to Kohamajima in Okinawa.
Hong Kong Disneyland’s new attraction “Mystic Point,” which opened just on May 16, experienced issues within three days of its launch. According to Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper, on May 19, one of the electromagnetic vehicles suddenly triggered a stop signal, delaying the ride by approximately one hour and affecting over a hundred visitors. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Warming the Vulnerable: Grand Formosa Regent’s Charity Hot Pot Gift Set Sale
Taiwanese travelers act like VIPs in hostels, while operators sigh: Mainland tourists are more well-mannered
The “Yellow Rubber Duck” is a huge hit, sparking a “duck race” across Taiwan. The Keelung City Government recently launched a “like and sign” campaign titled “Yellow Rubber Duck Welcome to Keelung” to actively vie for the duck’s visit. Over 10,000 people have shown their support, with the main display site set to be Keelung Marine Plaza. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu believes Kaohsiung Harbor is the most suitable location.
These past few days while walking around Taipei streets, I really felt that winter had arrived. The chilly wind kept sending shivers down my spine, and suddenly all I could think about was a warm, hearty hot pot. That’s when I remembered this place a friend had told me about — “满山 Hong Kong-style Curry Hot Pot,” located on Bairen Street right next to Xindian High School. Back in high school, I used to come to Bairen Street all the time — grabbing breakfast at Sweetie House before class and having Grandma’s BBQ Rice after school. Years have passed, and it seems the shops on Bairen Street have changed hands quite a few times.
The hot air balloon carnival has become a popular trend. In addition to Taitung, Hualien, and Tainan, Kaohsiung will also host a hot air balloon carnival at Clear Lake this summer. For the first time, hot air balloons will take off from the lake surface and fly over Clear Lake, offering passengers an unprecedented flying experience. Industry insiders estimate that nearly a thousand visitors could be attracted daily.