Travel
Summer water parks are all the rage – resort offers package deals at a whopping 77% discount
With temperatures soaring, water parks across Taiwan are seeing booming popularity. Among them, "Leofoo Water Park" has seen a threefold increase in visitors since its opening compared to last year. Coupled with its recent recognition by a travel platform as Taiwan’s best family-friendly amusement park, it has become a top summer travel destination. Nearby, Eastone Mountain Resort has capitalized on the water park’s appeal by launching a 2-day, 1-night family package for four people, now available at a steep 77% discount to attract summer travelers.
Island vacations continue to trend: China Airlines launches new direct flights to Ishigaki Island
Island travel remains red-hot during summer vacation season. China Airlines Group today (3rd) launched regular flights between Taoyuan and Ishigaki Island, operating two round-trip flights every Wednesday and Saturday using ERJ190 aircraft, offering 104 full economy class seats. The flight from Taoyuan to Ishigaki takes less than an hour, providing travelers planning a summer island getaway with even more options.
Sea festivals aren’t just in Taipei anymore！Chang Sisan: The Masago Music Festival creates a southern stage
Organized by the Tainan City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, the “2013 Tainan Masago Music Festival” will be held on July 12 (Friday) and July 13 (Saturday) at the Masago Coastal Recreation Area. This year (2013), Chang Sisan, founder of the Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival, serves as the program’s chief planner, with performances by 10 well-known artists and bands including Patty Chen, Chang Chen-yue, Ding Dang, and Quartet, bringing an electrifying atmosphere to southern Taiwan.
The trial operation of the Guidan Hot Springs in Tainan has been extended to the end of the year, offering free "beauty soup" soaking experiences.
The Guidan Hot Springs experience pool, developed by the Tainan City Government, attracted over 10,000 visitors for foot soaking during its just two months of trial operation. To accommodate facility upgrades within the park and the road widening project on Provincial Highway 186 South, the trial period will be extended until the end of December. Visitors can enjoy free admission throughout the trial operation.
Super Grandma’s “Meat Marinade” — In-flight Meal Comforts Homesick Travelers
Travelers away from home often long for the taste of their hometown. Wouldn’t it feel a little closer to home if you could enjoy “Grandma’s cooking” on a plane? A domestic airline has brought Grandma’s pasta and lotus leaf steamed rice on board, filling the cabin with a nostalgic aroma.
AKB48's Yuka Katayama dresses as a cute country girl, enjoys Taipei’s classic banquet cuisine
After the group’s general election, Japanese pop idol group AKB48’s first overseas work assignment was to film a travel show in Taipei, sending members Yuka Katayama, Ayaka Kikuchi, and Maria Abe. The three busy beauties managed to visit Dalongdong Baoan Temple, Longshan Temple, Ximending, Beitou, and Raohe Night Market within just two days, immersing themselves in the local culture — with Katayama even dressing up as an adorable country girl to fit right in.
New Taipei City’s “Water Bus” Sets Sail: Board in Banqiao, Arrive in Dadaocheng in 30 Minutes
Commute Between Taipei and New Taipei by Boat Too！To make commuting between Taipei and New Taipei more convenient, New Taipei City has launched regular “Water Bus” services at Huajiang Pier, Zhongxiao Pier, and Dadaocheng Pier starting July 16. Ticket prices follow the bus fare system—NT$15 per section, NT$8 for concessionary tickets, and free for young children. Traveling from Banqiao to Dadaocheng can save you 30 minutes.
Trains with Loads of Cars, Not Just Pretty Conductors — “Mushrooms” Join the Fun Too
The “Nantou Train Festival,” now in its seventh year, will be held from July 14 to August 11. Themed “Travel with Building Blocks,” the event will feature the adorable “Mushroom” characters from Japan’s hit mobile app game “Mushroom Garden Laboratory” making their first appearance at a Taiwanese festival. The cute Mushroom family will take over Taiwan Railways carriages and accompany passengers on a journey along the Jiji Line.
Get Wet or Stay Dry? Miaoli Civic Square Turns Into a "Mini Fantasy Amusement Park"
Summer is here!* The Miaoli City Government has specially opened the fountain area in “Civic Square,” which has been newly renovated to include family-friendly water dance shows, magic jumping fountains, and a “minefield” zone among other water features. Kids dart through the water jets, making the Civic Square feel like a mini fantasy amusement park. The square’s fountain area is open daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Lazy travelers' paradise for maple viewing！ Taichung’s Daxueshan features a sea of red and yellow "red snakebark maples"
The Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area is dominated by red snakebark maples, whose foliage changes color based on temperature and humidity. In cold and wet conditions, their leaves turn red. This year, due to insufficient chill and moisture, some leaves turned yellow without fully reddening before falling, creating a striking red-and-yellow landscape.
Has Ippudo’s popularity cooled down six months after its Taiwan launch? Still an hour-plus wait on weeknights.
It’s been half a year since Ippudo opened in Taiwan. Its grand opening drew huge crowds and sparked plenty of buzz. But has the hype died down after six months? In reality, aside from the 6 AM to 10 AM window when no queue is needed, you’ll still have to wait 30 minutes to an hour and a half during regular weekday mealtimes. Peak holiday hours can even see waits of up to two hours.
Nantou Snow-Treading & Plum-Blossom Festival Kicks Off with a Thousand-Person Plum-Sushi Relay
Nantou Snow-Treading & Plum-Blossom Festival Kicks Off with a Thousand-Person Plum-Sushi Relay
Fisherman's Wharf Celebrates Christmas, Savor Delicious Food & Welcome the New Year with Wish Balloons!
Fisherman's Wharf Celebrates Christmas, Savor Delicious Food & Welcome the New Year with Wish Balloons!
Egypt’s travel alert level raised to “red” Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Not advisable to travel there recently
The Egyptian military launched a coup on July 3, ousting President Morsi, leading to political chaos. Major cities across Egypt may continue to experience unrest in the near future. Starting today (4th), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has upgraded Egypt’s travel alert level from orange to “red,” advising nationals against traveling to Egypt for business or tourism in the near term. Travelers who have already booked related trips may contact their travel agencies for assistance.
A sonic wave sweeps across the North Coast ! The Sea Music Festival kicks off on the 6th for a whole month
Summer means heading to the beach ! It’s not just about surfing and checking out the hotties — it’s also about enjoying the charm of music blended with the sound of waves. The North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the North Coast Administration) holds the “Sea Music Festival” every year. This year, the event will feature an extended duration and larger spatial scale. In addition to the usual Shallow Water Bay and Yehliu, Baisha Bay has been added, covering the entire North Coast area for a full month !
Taiwan’s “Kobe Nishi Honganji” Complex Rises from the Ashes to Become a New Gem in Ximending
The ruins of Taiwan’s version of the “Kobe Nishi Honganji” temple complex have risen from the ashes. Located on the west side of Zhonghua Road in Ximending, the “Nishi Honganji Temple” was once the largest Japanese-style Buddhist temple in Taiwan. However, after being destroyed by a major fire in 1975, it fell into obscurity, its remains hidden among urban illegal structures. Now, designated as a municipal historical site by Taipei City and restored, it has reemerged as the brand-new “Wanhua 406 Plaza” to meet the public.
Late-Night Eats Behind Taoyuan’s Grand Temple: Affordable Pork and Tofu Rice with Plenty of Side Dishes
Around Zhongzheng Road near Taoyuan’s Grand Temple, there are many local eats. Usually, I go to Yonghe Market in the morning to shop for groceries, so I rarely visit during dinner or late-night hours. However, I often stop by to buy bread. The pork and tofu rice place behind the temple does a brisk business, so I instinctively chose it for dinner. Plus, it’s open until the early hours, making it a true late-night eatery on Zhongzheng Road in Taoyuan—perfect even for a midnight snack.
Macau’s “Gambling City Oasis” Stays Casino-Free & Showcases Yellow-Toned Portuguese Style
Beyond gambling and gourmet dining, hotel competition is also a major highlight of Macau tourism. Each luxury hotel connected to a casino not only features ingenious designs but also employs diverse promotional strategies to attract guests. In Macau, there is a hotel that can be called a “gambling city oasis.” Unlike other casino hotels, it operates independently without a casino, blending local Macanese cultural elements. Staying here, one can even sense a uniquely pure atmosphere.
The aroma of mud bursts into your senses as you journey through time into Kaohsiung’s arts and culture scene
In recent years, Kaohsiung has blossomed into a region rich in artistic and cultural charm. It’s home not only to the historic Shiyue Drum Bridge Sugar Cultural and Creative Park, filled with historical landmarks, but also to Meinong, known as the “Land of Smiles,” and the Fo Guang Cultural Park that blends education, culture, and art. There’s also the Pier-2 Art Center, a creative hub jointly developed by artists. Each destination is worth a visit, offering visitors a chance to savor Kaohsiung’s journey where past and present intertwine.
How to Spend Summer Vacation: Resort & Symphony’s Summer Music Feast
When traveling in the scorching summer, besides engaging in outdoor sports, participating in cultural activities such as music appreciation is also a great choice. This summer vacation, Dongsen Mountain Resort has specially collaborated with the Taichung Youth Symphony Orchestra to host a series of summer concerts, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful symphonic music while on holiday and infuse their trip with a rich artistic atmosphere.