Reports suggest that two private mainland Chinese airlines, Juneyao Airlines and Spring Airlines, are set to launch cross-strait routes in August. It is said that civil aviation authorities on both sides have approved direct flights between Shanghai Pudong and Kaohsiung, as well as Shanghai Pudong and Taoyuan. For Kaohsiung, both airlines are expected to operate three weekly flights each, with possible charter flights to other destinations such as Chiayi and Hualien.
With scorching temperatures soaring to record highs, have you decided where to escape the summer heat? The tallest five-star hotel in southern Taiwan has launched its “Summer Fun” staycation package. Designed for family trips, book a quadruple room along with theme park tickets and enjoy a delightful summer experience at just 9,388 — all while taking in the stunning sunset views from the high floors of Kaohsiung.
After the opening of Taipei Metro’s Dongmen Station, the most immediate impact was the revitalization of the Yongkang food scene. Nestled in a lane off Jinhua Street, Hanji Tiger Noodle House—recommended by celebrity couple Blackie Chen and Patty Hou on Facebook—serves its signature "Tiger Spicy Hot Pot," which delivers a fiery kick but boasts a surprisingly sweet broth. Even many food bloggers can’t resist its allure.
Foreign tourists visiting Taiwan still love "night markets" the most ! According to the 2012 Report on the Consumption and Travel Trends of International Visitors to Taiwan published by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, night markets remain the top must-visit attraction for foreign tourists for the 10th consecutive year, followed by "Taipei 101" and the "National Palace Museum". As for the most beloved Taiwanese attraction, "Jiufen" took the top spot.
Looking for a summer vacation spot that combines a theme park and shopping? Located within E-DA World, the “Evergreen Laurel Hotel Kaohsiung” is a premium leisure resort integrating a theme park, a world-class shopping mall, a digital cinema, and more – a rare leisure accommodation experience in Taiwan. Staying here allows you to enjoy the E-DA Theme Park to the fullest, as well as ride the Ferris wheel to take in the beautiful night view of Kaohsiung.
Has Mickey Mouse's magic worn off? Is Shanghai Disneyland doomed to fail?
Taipei City and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of mainland China are promoting “Eat Ningxia, Travel Ningxia for Free!” On the evening of the 17th, they visited Ningxia Night Market in Taipei to experience the night market-style banquet known as the “Millennium Banquet.”
Starting May 1 this year, travelers holding either the “Enoshima Electric Railway One-Day Pass” issued by Japan’s Enoshima Electric Railway or the “Pingxi Line One-Day Pass” issued by Taiwan Railways can exchange it for the other pass free of charge. Exchanges are available at both Taipei Station and Ruifang Station of Taiwan Railways. Kanagawa Prefecture Governor Yuji Kuroiwa is promoting tourism exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, and will personally experience exchanging for a Pingxi Line one-day pass at Window 12 of Taipei Station, becoming the best ambassador from the Japanese side.
August is a month full of celebrations, featuring both Father’s Day on August 8th and Qixi Valentine’s Day on August 13th. Dingxian 101 Gourmet Scenic Restaurant combines these holidays with the “My Dad & My Lover” joint promotion campaign, allowing customers to choose whether to celebrate in advance on the weekend or on the actual holiday days — whether to spoil dad or pamper your significant other, the date is entirely up to you.
The city center is packed with old buildings, but emerging among them are several new designer structures – a common sight in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district. Many locals say that to find the soul of Hong Kong’s culture, you have to start by looking at these new buildings rising within the old neighborhoods. This district, where old and new blend, often hides the historic charm of the area within the designs of its newer hotels.
Japanese ramen chains have been rapidly expanding in Taiwan, ushering in a true ramen battleground era. Yet one samurai-spirited ramen brand has stormed into the Taiwanese market with unstoppable momentum, securing a spot in Taipei’s East District. Themed around the legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, this outlet infuses samurai ethos into both the ramen-making process and its interior design—blades and weapons lurk subtly within light fixtures and decor. Chefs toss noodles with vigor, accompanied by energetic shouts, before serving up authentic Japanese ramen right to your table.
What kind of “work-exchange stay” is fresh and fun? A well-known domestic theme park hotel has launched a Cosplay work-exchange stay program, inviting friends passionate about anime and talented in performing to seize the opportunity to showcase themselves and experience a unique work-exchange stay. Just prepare a 20-minute performance and perform on weekends to get free accommodation and also earn theme park entry tickets.
Sanyuan Township in Miaoli County will hold its first-ever "Sanyuan Hidden Teas" event. Renowned tea masters, in the spirit of sharing tea and friendship, invite tea enthusiasts to join in the tasting. To maintain the quality of the experience, participants must register by phone, with only 30 spots available for the tea session.
The “Angry Birds Hot Air Balloon” has moved locations. The previously Taitung-launched hot air balloon relocated on the 15th to the “2013 Hualien Soaring Season” event, where the public can ride it until August 8 at the Danongdafu Plain Forest Park in Guangfu Township.
Price hikes on the way again! The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announced on the 16th that domestic flight ticket prices were originally scheduled to increase for the general public starting October 1, and for residents of outlying islands starting January 1 of next year. However, considering operational convenience, it has been decided that the price hike will apply to all without distinction, taking effect uniformly on January 1 of next year, with increases ranging from 5% to 20%.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of "August 1st Indigenous Peoples' Day," Zhongli District Office in Taoyuan County will hold the "Original POWER Music Festival" at Zhongzheng Park at 6:00 PM on July 28. The event will feature performances by multiple indigenous singers, including powerhouse vocalist A-Lin, Golden Melody Award-winning singer Ilid Kaolo, Golden Melody Award-winning singer Wang Hong-en, the band Power Station, MATZKA, and others.
I’ve written several fragmented pieces about the scenery in India, and finally, it’s time to serve up the main course. The most important stop of this trip was the Taj Mahal, and it also turned out to be the most heartbreaking one for me. I never imagined that in the place I most wanted to visit, it would end with the deepest and most painful regret. The Taj Mahal is hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The long-established "Lanmei Grand Hotel" on Xin San Road in Keelung was reopened on the 16th with a new look as the "East Coast Star Boutique Hotel." The operator invested NT$30 million to create 35 rooms, including economy, standard, premium, and cozy family room types, with summer discounts of up to NT$2,400 on various room categories.
Where to beat the summer heat? The Youth Park Swimming Pool has transformed into an aquatic playground. In addition to its existing 7,000-ping swimming facilities and a 40-meter water slide, it has recently added inflatable bounce houses and slides that kids love, along with a “Swim with Thousands of Little Ducks” event.
The Taipei City Water Resources Department stated that after last year’s ancient junk was swept away, they began conceptualizing a movable version. The new Tangshan ancient junk is one-third smaller than the original. The model was unveiled in early July, and just days later, a typhoon hit—providing the perfect “midterm test” for the new model. The movable junk, now equipped with a wheel-mounted frame, successfully passed the challenge.