Travel
New Summer Routes / China Airlines Launches Comprehensive New Routes with Multiple Options to Hawaii and Mainland China
The peak summer travel season is approaching. Have you decided where to go? Starting this May (2013), China Airlines has added new direct flight routes to Hawaii, Urumqi, Lijiang, and Weihai. Various destinations in Southeast and Northeast Asia have also introduced additional flights in response to the summer travel boom. Travelers planning a trip this summer might want to keep an eye on airlines’ increased services and new direct routes, taking advantage of newly launched promotional travel deals.
Hsinchu’s “Tomato United Nations” Fruit-Picking Family Tour – Sample 42 Global Tomato Flavors
In recent years, sightseeing farms and orchards have become super-popular holiday activities for families with kids. In Hsinchu’s Guanxi Township, there’s a special farm that grows as many as 42 varieties of tomatoes from around the world – truly a “Tomato United Nations.”
The hometown of "Slam Dunk" in Shonan – the level crossing where Haruko waves
Ryota Sakuragi stands in front of the level crossing, waiting for a dark green train to pass. After the train goes by, a stretch of blue sea and sky unfolds before him, and Haruko is seen waving from the other side of the crossing. This “Slam Dunk Haruko Waving Level Crossing” is located in the Shonan area, about an hour and a half’s drive from Tokyo. By taking the Enoshima Electric Railway, this iconic scene from childhood memories suddenly comes to life.
Dreamlike Structures: A Look at the "World’s Most Spectacular Ferris Wheels"
For most people, a ferris wheel is a dreamy and romantic structure. From afar, you can admire its towering magnificence, and once aboard, you can take in the surrounding views. The world’s various ferris wheels each have their own charm—so which ones are really worth seeing? “A Look at the World’s Spectacular Ferris Wheels” takes you on a journey through a dazzling world of spinning wheels and festive lights.
New Taipei’s Creative Market Kicks Off in Bitan on Day 1; 45 Vendors to Tour Banqiao, Zhonghe & Xindian
“Play with Ideas, Buy Creativity.” The New Taipei City Government has gathered over 45 creative teams spanning film, music, and lifestyle themes, launching a six-month creative market starting June 1. This Saturday marks the opening at Bitan East Coast Plaza in Xindian. According to the New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Bureau, the market will tour weekly on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM over the next six months, with stops including Banqiao Railway Station, Metro Heshan Station, and Zhonghe No. 4 Park.
Summer family trips / Disney's 30th Anniversary & Ishigaki Island heating up this summer
With summer vacation approaching, have you decided where to take your kids? ETtoday News Cloud has handpicked the best family-friendly travel destinations for this summer. From the newly completed Club Med Guilin Resort in China, to Tokyo Disneyland’s grand 30th anniversary celebration, or Ishigaki Island—which saw its first flights by TransAsia Airways and is expected to launch direct flights from China Airlines in July—there are plenty of great reasons for families to enjoy their summer holidays together.
Summer family trips / Dress up as Luffy and board the Thousand Sunny in Dubai for an eye-opening experience — theme parks are all the rage
It’s once again the peak summer travel season, and the summer travel expo has recently kicked off, with many people flocking to the event to snag deals. But when it comes to traveling with kids—both little and big—during the hot summer months, what are the most recommended destinations? Travel industry experts say that major theme parks in nearby Asian countries are the top choice for children, while slightly farther destinations like Australia and Dubai win points for their novelty.
Penghu’s Green “Ride” Trail: Electric Scooter Tour to Experience Ecological Beauty
Summer is here, and traveling to overseas islands is becoming increasingly popular. But don’t forget that Taiwan also has beautiful and fun islands of its own. To make Penghu, one of Taiwan’s most stunning bays, even more diverse and vibrant, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has built on last year’s success and once again organized a series of ecological learning activities. By integrating green, eco-friendly electric scooters, they are offering a refreshing travel experience.
Water parks open for summer fun with low prices – only 199 RMB to cool off first
With temperatures soaring recently, water parks have become hot destinations for beating the heat. “Lucky Water Park” boasts a romantic blue-and-white Greek ambiance and is filled with a rich international seaside vacation atmosphere, even earning the reputation as Taiwan’s most beautiful water park. Ye Chung-yueh, manager of the marketing and public relations department at Leofoo Village Theme Park, said the park’s highlight is the “Poseidon Airship” multi-dimensional slide, which plunges from a height of 15 meters at high speed, offering an exhilarating rush of thrills – making it a great choice for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping water adventure.
Scenic Revamp of Guanziling | Enjoy Old Street Culture & Mud Hot Springs with Ease
Where to go for a holiday? After years of effort, the scenic revitalization of Guanziling has achieved preliminary results. Several partially damaged hiking trails in the area have been fully repaired. Visitors can bring their families to experience the local old street culture and mud hot springs, as well as hike the Zhenzhu Mountain Trail to enjoy panoramic views of the rolling hills — making it a perfect hot spring destination for family holidays.
Fashionqueen／Living Travel A Journey to a Fairyland on Earth
The air is filled with the faint aroma of cheese. Walking through lush green lawns, sturdy black-and-white cows graze leisurely under the sun, enjoying nature’s bounty. In the distance, you can see sparkling lakes, beautiful swans gliding gracefully on the water, and snow-capped mountains… Isn’t this the perfect paradise everyone dreams of?
Taitung hot air balloons take off this week; traffic diversion in place to prevent overcrowding
The “2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival” will be held at Luye Gaotai from June 1 to August 11. Given that around 880,000 visitors attended last year, Taitung County Government has expanded the event this year, with an estimated turnout of over one million people.
Seize the Shifting "Outer Umbrella Top Shoal" – Experience the Beauty of a Midsummer Sunset at Sea
Outer Umbrella Top Shoal is the largest offshore sandbar along Taiwan’s coast. As it continuously drifts southward each year, it has long been known as the "moving country" and the "gradually disappearing country." To allow visitors to experience the beauty of a midsummer sunset over the sea, the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration has specially organized the "Midsummer Sea Sunset Viewing Activity at Outer Umbrella Top Shoal" around the summer solstice (June 21) during holiday periods in the week before and after, with a participation fee of just NT$300 per person.
Sign up for East Coast activities – Taitung love songs stir up 30-year-old memories
Whether watching TV or joining events, you’ve likely heard “Give me a boost of love, together!” – this is the shared language of the Chinese Youth Corps, inviting the public to relive Taiwan’s youthful years. The Chinese Youth Corps' 102nd Summer Leisure Activities are now open for registration, featuring categories such as “Knowledge & Talent,” “Outdoor Challenges,” “Sports & Fitness Camps,” and “Overseas Travel.”
Make your "flight attendant dream" come true now—China Airlines to recruit 130 cabin crew members
Have you always dreamed of becoming a flight attendant but never had the chance? China Airlines announced today (30th) that it will be recruiting over 130 Taiwanese cabin crew members this year. Online applications will be accepted from May 30 to June 12. In preparation for the upcoming Busan route launching in September, Korean-speaking candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
New Summer Routes / Resumed Flights to New Destinations – Direct Flights to Ishigaki and Zhangjiajie
To meet the peak summer travel season, TransAsia Airways continued to launch new destinations in the second quarter. The popular island destinations for summer travel were not overlooked either. Starting in May, regular flights will directly serve Ishigaki Island, making it more convenient than Japanese travelers having to transfer via Okinawa. From June 2, a new regular route to Zhangjiajie, China, has been added. It is the only direct route to Zhangjiajie operated by a national airline, further strengthening and completing cross-strait flight connectivity.
Explosion at California Disneyland: 22-Year-Old Employee Suspect Arrested
An explosion occurred yesterday (5:00 p.m. local time on the 28th) at Disneyland in California, USA, allegedly caused by a bottle containing dry ice, with no injuries or fatalities reported. Due to a recent series of dry ice explosions in the area, police immediately launched an investigation and arrested a 22-year-old Disneyland employee, Christian Barnes, today (5:00 p.m. local time on the 29th).
Buses as "mobile post offices" roam the streets – a sight unique to Hualien
"Mobile internet, mobile ticketing, mobile banking" – when people see the word "mobile," they might assume it refers to modern smartphone functions. But few know that Taiwan’s only "mobile post office" is the real deal: a literal moving post office on wheels.
New Summer Routes / Stunning Frontier Scenery – EVA Air Launches Flights from Hohhot and Hailar
The “Northeast Asia” and “Mainland China” regions are highly significant for Taiwanese airlines and the travel market. This summer, in response to the travel boom, many domestic airlines have launched new routes. Among them, EVA Air has expanded its Japanese routes to include Okayama and Asahikawa, while on the mainland side, it has added routes to Hohhot, Hailar, and Xining, making north-south travel more convenient for passengers.
Hong Kong Disneyland opens new themed land – the “Mystic Point” delivers a stunning sensory experience
A trip to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without visiting Hong Kong Disneyland. Following the launch of its expansion plan, new themed areas have been opening one after another. In May, the final planned new area, “Mystic Point,” will debut. It is the most intricate attraction ever created in any Disney park worldwide, with the “Mystic Manor” being the main highlight. Guests can board an electromagnetic tram and be led by Sir Henry and his monkey butler, Albert, on a mysterious journey, experiencing the breathtaking effects of the theatrical show.