Travel
Stumbling into a Fairytale Kingdom Around Every Corner in Brussels — Europe’s Capital Isn’t as Serious as You Think
When Belgium comes to mind, many people might first think of chocolate. Indeed, locals seem to be chocolate experts, effortlessly naming various chocolate brands. Belgians even consume an average of 6.8 kilograms of chocolate per person per year. However, limiting your imagination of Belgium to just chocolate would be a pity. Its capital, Brussels, is not only the headquarters of the European Union but also home to stunning World Heritage squares and a variety of whimsical street art.
CommonWealth Magazine / Asian Celebrities’ Creative Travel Guide: Just Wanna Have Fun in Taiwan
With the launch of direct cross-strait flights, the opening of individual travel for mainland Chinese visitors, visa-free entry for travelers from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, coupled with the rise of “regional tourism,” Taiwan has become a new favorite leisure destination for Asians. The island has seen the highest tourist growth rate in Asia-Pacific, injecting vitality into the economy during downturns and showcasing remarkable soft power.
The sticky, savory flavors of Kaohsiung: Pork Fried Rice that makes your stomach do a “triple flip”
When you’re hungry, living in Kaohsiung feels like a blessing. A friend told me that within a two-kilometer radius, there are delicious, affordable eats everywhere. Especially when you spot a stall with the words “pork fried rice” written on it, your heart—and your stomach—can’t help but flutter, then flutter again, then do a triple flip.
Champion Beef Noodles Goes Mysterious – A Hidden Menu Known Only to Gourmets!
Beef noodles can be found everywhere in Taiwan, and it’s a must-try dish even for international visitors. Chef Hong Jinlong, known as the “King of Chefs” at the Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival and a four-time consecutive champion, has opened countless branches both domestically and abroad. This time, he’s launched the first flagship beef noodle store in Neihu, featuring all his award-winning creations from previous years — “Red Braised Tomato Noodles,” “Beef Trio Noodles,” “Standout Noodles,” and “Stewed Pork-Belly Beef Brisket Noodles” — plus a hidden menu known only to gourmets!
News / Gongliao International Marine Music Festival postponed Taiwan Railways passengers can get ticket refunds without service charges
In response to the postponement of the 2013 Gongliao International Marine Music Festival, the New Taipei City Government announced at noon on the 12th that tourists who have purchased reserved-seat train tickets for round trips between July 11 and 14 to and from Fulong Station on Taiwan Railways can apply for rescheduling or refunds free of charge during the adjusted festival period.
A bowl of beef noodles worth ten thousand US dollars?! Taiwan’s first beef noodle fashion house opens
Who would have thought that Taiwan’s must-eat beef noodles could carve out a niche for themselves overseas? “Hong Shifu Beef Noodles,” a perennial champion of the Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival, has countless branches in Taiwan and eight overseas locations. On the 12th, it opened Taiwan’s first beef noodle fashion house in Neihu. Not only can you enjoy the championship noodles since 2006, but they’ve also spared no expense to create the $10,000 “Supreme Sovereign Noodles,” marking a new milestone for local beef noodles.
Breaking News / Typhoon Approaches Hawaiian Airlines Delays Taipei–Honolulu Flight
Hawaiian Airlines Flight HA808, originally scheduled to depart from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport at 8:55 p.m. on July 12 due to Typhoon Soulik, has been delayed to 9:00 a.m. on July 13. The flight is now expected to arrive in Honolulu at 1:15 a.m. local time on July 13. This schedule change does not affect flights departing from Honolulu to Taipei.
Peach Blossom Lotus Festival Postponed; Spectacular "Lotus" Events to Resume Next Weekend
The annual "Lotus" event, the "2013 Taoyuan Lotus Festival," had been held on weekends over two consecutive months during the summer vacation at various farms in Guanyin and Xinyi. However, this weekend (the 13th and 14th) has been disrupted by Typhoon Soudelor, leading to a one-week suspension of activities. The "lotus" spectacle will reignite next Saturday (the 20th).
Top Chefs Reveal Their Kitchen Secrets: 25 Years of Prime Rib Mastery Exposed
Generally, to enjoy a Prime Rib, you’d have to go to a five-star hotel and pay 2,000–3,000 NT dollars. But Outback Steakhouse, with its 25-year history and as the world’s largest steakhouse chain, serves tender, thick-cut Prime Rib daily at a price under 1,000 NT—letting you savor the results of a meticulous 6-hour process. What exactly is Prime Rib? Outback’s Dunhua North branch chef Guan Yushen takes you behind the scenes in the kitchen.
Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Bruce Lee's Passing – A Special Bruce Lee Exhibition in Hong Kong for Five Years
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the passing of international kung fu icon Bruce Lee, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum launched a special five-year-long Bruce Lee exhibition starting July 20. The exhibit showcases over 600 items related to Bruce Lee, including classic films, costumes, personal belongings, and even the gym and study room he frequently used during his lifetime.
Hug massive ice sculptures up close in the amusement park!
Experience an ultra-cooling snow spray!
What’s a fun and refreshing activity to beat the summer heat? During the summer vacation, Liufu Water Park has planned world-class performances. The ice sculpture show, which was previously only seen on TV, will be fully recreated at Liufu Water Park starting July. Inviting Wu Tingguo, a master ice sculptor with 25 years of experience who has won championships at the Lyon International Ice Sculpture Competition in France, the Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition, and served as the official ice sculptor for the Double Ten National Day Banquet, he will perform large-scale close-up ice sculpture shows every Saturday and Sunday.
Disney Fantasy Reimagined on the Big Screen: A 70-Year Classic Feast Limited to 5 Shows in Taiwan
On the 70th anniversary of Disney’s classic Fantasia, a live concert featuring orchestral accompaniment has been launched. Authorized by Disney in 2012, the Asian premiere was held in Taipei and received an enthusiastic response from Taiwanese audiences with widespread acclaim. Therefore, this summer, it will return to Taiwan for a grand five-show tour, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in a vibrant feast of animation and music.
The New Paradise for Retired Oxen — “Home for Old Oxen” Invites You to Meet the Cows
Hardworking oxen that have toiled their whole lives can now enjoy their well-deserved retirement. In recent years, Tainan City’s Agriculture Bureau has promoted the “Home for Old Oxen,” a retirement center for aged working oxen. Aside from providing comprehensive care for these retired animals, the site also showcases a variety of rural farming tools, historical images of Taiwanese cattle, the evolution of oxcarts, and other elements of rural culture.
Typhoon Soudelor topples hilarious statue of military engineers in Matsu Netizens: Senior should take a break
After Typhoon Soudelor left Taiwan’s main island, the Matsu region was subsequently hit on the evening of the 13th with strong winds and heavy rain. Two statues of military engineers in front of the famous local attraction “Beihai Tunnel” could not withstand the force of the wind — one fell flat on the ground, while the other landed in a “resting pose,” prompting local residents to joke: “Even the seniors need to take a break!”
Shared Memories of Climbing Yushan: The Five-Star “Paiyun Lodge” Has Opened
“Climb Yushan, stay at Paiyun Lodge” is a shared experience for many hikers. The newly renovated Paiyun Lodge reopened on July 20th. This refreshed classic offers meal services and has implemented a “no cooking” policy. With its comfortable accommodation, it’s being touted as a five-star mountain lodge.
Yellow Rubber Duck Brings Siblings to Visit the Taiwan Pavilion at Expo Park in Hsinchu
The charm of the Yellow Rubber Duck continues to soar! The Taiwan Pavilion at Expo Park in Hsinchu City is riding the cute duck wave, launching a sky lantern-themed rubber duck and an exhibition featuring five rubber ducks, each based on a different story background, starting July 19. Visitors can watch the "Birth of the Little Duck" video for free and also have a chance to win a "Rubber Duck Plush Toy."
When in Taitung, say “Makaba-hi!” The Makaba-hi International Cultural Tourism Festival is here.
When you come to Taitung, be sure to say “Makaba-hi!” The 2013 “I’m in Taitung – Makaba-hi” International Cultural Tourism Festival series of events will take place from July 27 to August 1 at the Civic Plaza on Nanjing Road in Taitung City. The event includes a creative street parade, creative makeup competition, tribal life experiences, and the Makaba-hi Night.
The birdhouse at the Children's Festival was destroyed by Typhoon Soudelor; the birds have no choice but to temporarily stay in the park's "shoe cabinet"
Typhoon threatened Taiwan over the weekend, with some damage reported in various regions. The "homes" of the little birds in the Children's Festival park are also gone. This time, Typhoon Soudelor brought heavy rain to Taiwan, with Yilan being the first to bear the brunt. For safety reasons, the Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival was forced to close for two days. As the typhoon gradually moved toward the northwest of Taiwan and the rainfall in Yilan eased, sharp-eyed staff noticed that many of the birds' homes in the park had been damaged by the typhoon, leaving the birds homeless.
640 / Harvest Time!: The “Golden Plains” Filled with the Scent of Rice
The morning sun shines warmly, brushing gently over the soft rice ears, shimmering with layers of gold as the light filters through. In the rice harvest season, I walk along the ridges of the Lanyang Plain, where the air is filled with the comforting fragrance of freshly cut grain, softly telling the joyful story of this bountiful season. I move forward, lightly touching the glimmer of the rice stalks, as if sketching out a vision of a bright future ahead.
CommonWealth Magazine / Love Traveling in Taiwan 1》5 Reasons Why Hong Kong People Love It
Taipei has many quirky cafes and shops run by young people, all worth visiting. But in Hong Kong, due to property hegemony, local youths simply can't afford the high rents, which is why the city is filled with cookie-cutter chain coffee shops. Unlike Taipei, where young people can use their shops to express their lifestyle and values, this contrast becomes a beautiful sight for Hong Kong travelers visiting Taipei.