That day in Taitung, I encountered a mischievous child named the sun, playing hide-and-seek in the boundless sky. Along Provincial Highway 11, the gentle ocean splashed with waves, and the playful sunlight danced with the spray on the windshield. The sky and the terraced fields stretched into one line—watching birds in the sky through the water in the paddies felt like an upside-down world, and we were all enveloped within it.
The scenic canals of the historic city can now be enjoyed in the sunshine too. Breaking away from the stereotype that water activities are only done at sea, the Tainan City Government’s Tourism Bureau has pioneered “Water Recreation Experience Activities” in the canal, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing.
If you’re near Taipei Metro’s Taipei City Hall Station but want to avoid the pricey food court underground, Lane 30, Yongji Road is a great alternative — especially in the evening when it transforms into a veritable food heaven. While exploring the alley for a bite, consider trying “Duck Meat Xie” if you’re looking for something special. With its sweet and fragrant broth and delicious duck meat, this spot has become a renowned eatery in the lane.
In September 2011, when “Oudi” was undergoing chemotherapy, I knew he loved taking photos with flowers the most, so I promised him that if his health allowed, we’d go to Hualien together to see the daylilies. After consulting with the doctor and thanks to Oudi’s own resilience, we made the trip to Hualien to enjoy the flowers. Despite the melanin deposits on his face and hair loss from the chemo, Oudi still smiled brightly at daddy’s camera, in great spirits and happy throughout the whole journey.
The couple behind "Shuangqing," Hong Ziqing and Xu Huiqing, resolutely broke away from the conventional pace of life and returned to Shalu in Taichung to open the café "Cheating Café." They also flipped the image of "regular cafés" that don’t welcome pets, hoping to allow pets inside under controlled circumstances to join in on the "adventure." In the future, they not only plan to offer a "dog menu" but also want to host "pet parties" for everyone to enjoy together!
In the Netherlands, the land of windmills, you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. In this country brimming with freedom, its capital Amsterdam has become a cultural microcosm of the nation. Beyond the stereotypical images of windmills, wooden shoes, and tulips, the city also boasts beautiful, interconnected canals, a variety of museums, and the famous "Anne Frank House" from World War II. Now bustling with visitors, it offers a deeper understanding of history.
Starting July 22, the 31st train set of Taiwan High-Speed Rail will join service in the “Happy Cartoon Train” livery. On July 21, the “Happy Cartoon Train” made its inaugural run, with beloved characters from Cartoon Network—Pops, Finn, and Princess Bubblegum—adorably painted inside and outside the entire train, drawing delighted exclamations from onlookers.
Who could turn a traditional train ride into something as thrilling as an amusement park? The Le Massif de Charlevoix railway line in Canada, funded by Cirque du Soleil founder Daniel Gauthier, took two years to complete and officially opened at the end of last year. Stretching approximately 140 kilometers, it connects Quebec City and La Malbaie, weaving through towering mountains and along stunning blue coastlines — a truly breathtaking experience.
July is already halfway over, so it’s time to plan for Father’s Day in August. For all the hardworking dads out there, Taipei Fuhang Hotel will launch various dining promotions and set menus from August 1 to 8. The new Japanese head chef will use fresh, seasonal ingredients to present an exclusive “Father’s Day Japanese Omakase Set.” There will also be Jiangsu-Zhejiang and European semi-buffet sets, allowing the whole family to give Dad their sincerest thanks.
The Hong Kong summer season is currently buzzing with the “Hong Kong Summer Spectacular,” featuring summer discounts starting from as low as 70% off. The shopping season is in full swing right now. Among them, the much-anticipated flagship store of the British fast fashion brand Topshop officially opened in Central in mid-May. Right across the street is H&M, a favorite among Taiwanese shoppers, while popular American youth brands A&F and GAP are also nearby. Shopping in Central during the big sale is sure to leave you with a bag full of bargains. Moreover, the malls in Central are connected by sky bridges, so you can shop without breaking into a sweat. Travelers can even extend their shopping adventure to the shops on upper floors to discover more unique and creative clothing and accessories.
Domestic airlines announced today (23rd) that they have partnered with a global brand of temperature-controlled containers to launch temperature-controlled product freight services, providing customers with opportunities to develop logistics markets primarily focused on healthcare (Healthcare). The service utilizes the SkyTeam global airline network, connecting to 174 countries and 864 destinations with over 11,392 flights per day for convenient transportation.
The happiness index of a city does not lie in how many skyscrapers it has, but in whether the people living in its alleys are happy and contented. Today (23rd), the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau released the tourism microfilm "Happiness Office." Filming began last November, with the story starting at an old house frequented by Tainan’s youth, capturing the unique sense of happiness that Tainan offers.
On Friday, the 26th of this week, the National Sailing Championship and the 3rd HuiLan Cup Sailing Competition, organized by the Hualien County Government, will set sail amid the Pacific breeze. The public from all over Taiwan are invited to experience the most beautiful blue vacation on the left coast of the Pacific.
Southern Kaohsiung is about to welcome two new night market destinations. The Golden Diamond and Triumph Night Markets in Qianzhen District are scheduled to open this Friday, the 26th, and next Monday, the 29th. Both markets are located near the former Brave Valley site on Section 4, Triumph Road, and together feature nearly 1,000 bustling stalls — posing a strong rival to the Ruifeng Night Market in northern Kaohsiung.
“Every summer I head to the seaside…” It’s the height of summer, and many people love hitting the beach, surfing the waves, and enjoying water activities. The seaside wouldn’t be complete without the eye-catching bikinis of hot girls and the adorable one-piece swimsuits of kids, which greatly enhance the coastal scenery. Now, just snap a photo of your most confident swimwear look for a chance to win a free round-trip ticket to Macau!
Fortunately, there are convenient shuttle buses now. Otherwise, it would be almost as difficult for an average backpacker to get to the Moon World as it is to land on the moon. Anyway, it’s very easy nowadays — just take the MRT to Nangangshan Station, then transfer to Bus Red 70, and in about an hour’s “space shuttle” ride, you can “land on the moon” and feel the lunar surface trodden by Armstrong.
When visiting Green Island, don’t just stick to the overly touristy spots. If you make it to Yuzi Lake, be sure to explore either left or right—don’t just stay on the beach in front of the old house. The hidden attraction we’re introducing this time is located at the far end to the right of Yuzi Lake. Keep going, and you’ll discover another breathtaking sky Up!
On hot summer days when appetite wanes, Vietnamese cuisine is a great choice to whet the appetite. With its moderate use of spices, not overly heavy in flavor, and paired with fresh greens and rice-based dishes, the taste is refreshingly light. Located in Banqiao's Far Eastern commercial district, a small eatery tucked away in an alleyway — "Hometown Vietnamese Snacks" — is always packed at mealtimes. The shop’s authentic Vietnamese flavors have attracted two department stores to seek partnerships, and even impressed a corporate executive who invited the shop to open inside their company cafeteria.
Taoyuan boasts picturesque scenery, especially at the Little Wulai Scenic Area in midsummer. With lush greenery, streams, and waterfalls, the mountain landscape offers the perfect escape from the summer heat. Visitors can also enjoy the famous Little Wulai Waterfall from three different viewpoints. Nearby, the Kehpanshan Guesthouse provides a panoramic view of the Xikou Plateau, showcasing the breathtaking beauty that even Chiang Kai-shek once praised.
Chiayi rice balls became a trending search term after a real estate agent cut in line and caused a scene. The shop that voluntarily provided surveillance footage is called 正 'Chiayi Rice Balls, located right across from another popular spot, 老担阿璋肉圆. When it comes to rice balls, Chiayi has many delicious options. Aside from 正 'Chiayi Rice Balls, 阿璋肉圆, 北门口中正路总店, and 民生路店 are also popular spots where you’ll need to wait in line to get your hands on them.