Travel
RAPL Pompion Fruit's first overseas store opens; nearly 100 people line up before opening
The monthly bestseller "RAPL Pompion Fruit," which sells 250,000 units per month, opened its first overseas store on December 22 at A8, Taipei XinYi New World, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi. Although the department store doesn’t open until 11:00 AM, people started queuing up as early as 9:30 AM, and by 11:00 AM when official sales began, the line had already reached nearly 100 people.
For those who love to travel, you can give them these 10 types of gifts
You probably have a few friends who are travel enthusiasts—not just abroad, but even domestic hotspots—they can chat away about their experiences and recount every detail of their adventures. For these friends, receiving a travel-themed gift on their birthday can really make their day. HuffPost has reported on this topic, but since it's from an American perspective, we’ve selected just 10 ideas here for your reference.
Getting a "broken-in-half fake coin" at a night market and getting envied by netizens instead?
Getting a "broken-in-half fake coin" at a night market and getting envied by netizens instead?
"All-inclusive holidays" in the rainforest—spotting lizards and monkeys is no surprise
For families traveling abroad during summer vacation, the easiest and most hassle-free way to explore is undoubtedly the best choice for parents. The globally renowned resort "Premium All-Inclusive Holidays" includes meals, accommodation, and entertainment, with unlimited drinks and cocktails. Best of all, the resort even helps parents "take care of the kids." It’s the first to offer age-specific activities for children from 4 months to 17 years old, with professional G.O.s (Gentle Organizers, the resort’s staff) tailored to each age group.
20 Lion Dance Troupes Take to the Streets in Celebration of Beitou Park’s Centennial as the “Lion’s Den”
Beitou Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and coincidentally, local master artisan Hong Lai-wang is also turning 100. The Taiwan Lion Head Wang Folk Arts Development Association has organized “Beitou’s Grand Centennial Celebration,” featuring a series of exciting events, an exhibition of handcrafted lion heads and related cultural artifacts, lion dance performances, and a parade of 20 lion dance troupes. Beitou was historically known as the “Lion’s Den,” a hub for lion dance culture.
Keelung Souvenirs with a Strong "Harbor" Flavor: Enjoy Chicken Cage Cake and Seaweed Crisps with Seafood
When it comes to Keelung souvenirs, many people immediately think of the pineapple cakes from Li Hu Pastry Shop. However, as a harbor city, Keelung actually offers many unique local specialties, such as Chicken Cage Cake with fillings made of shredded bonito and sakura shrimp, which delivers both the aroma of pastry and the scent of seafood. Additionally, when Terry Gou, the chairman of Foxconn, hosted his wedding banquet, he specifically chose Keelung’s rice crackers as desserts. If you visit Keelung, don’t miss out on this “pilgrimage.”
Taitung hot air balloons take to the skies in record 14-balloon simultaneous flight; free flights extended to end of September
The Hot Air Balloon Festival is a summer highlight in Luye, Taitung. On the 29th, 14 hot air balloons took part in a free flight event for the first time, setting a new record for the largest number of simultaneously flying balloons in Taiwan’s skies. Due to the overwhelming positive response to the free flight activities, and although the Hot Air Balloon Festival is nearing its close, Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-ting announced that the “Hot Air Balloon Free Flight Aerial Tour” will be extended until September 30th to allow more people to experience the beauty of hot air balloon flights.
Don’t wait for the perfect environment—create one yourself. Taiwanese youth are creative because society is free.
“Rather than waiting for the environment to give you something, create it with your own hands.” — Jiaming. Just like the youth from Hualien and Taitung, who left their hometowns to work elsewhere, only to suddenly realize something after a few years.
Triumph Night Market Opens: "Night Market Life" Reaches Its Climax
Is "Night Market Life" about to reach its climax? Last Friday, the opening of Kaohsiung's Golden Diamond Night Market attracted tens of thousands of visitors, nearly paralyzing nearby traffic. Now, the similarly billed largest and first “legal” Triumph Night Market will also open today (29th), with vendors offering a 10% discount during the opening period to attract customers. It has also pioneered the use of shuttle buses to tour the night market — this episode of the "Night Market Life" drama is heating up.
Painted cat lanterns are here—the adorable Houtong Cat Lantern Festival has arrived!
Houtong’s “Cat Street” is well-known far and wide. The “Houtong Cat Lantern Festival,” hosted by New Taipei City Government and Taiwan 319 Cat Lovers Association, will kick off in September. Coinciding with the current surge of rabies, the organizers have specially printed 5,000 cat care handbooks to educate the public on feline health. This year’s festival features a giant 150-cm-tall cat lantern, along with a charity fun fair and cat adoption events, where visitors can paint lanterns on-site for good luck.
Mid-Autumn Festival Charter Flights to Island Getaways – Arrive at Three Major Resorts on Ishigaki Island Within One Hour
Lounge in a pool with year-round constant temperature and endless views, admire the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival hanging over the Pacific Ocean, enjoy the cool autumn breeze, and sip on a specially crafted Okinawan awamori cocktail—this might be the relaxing holiday many dream of. Are you ready for your holiday during the four-day Mid-Autumn break from September 19 to 22? How about a four-day, three-night trip to Okinawa via the newly launched direct flights to Ishigaki Island?
Bitter Melon and Salted Egg Pasta – A Hidden Campus Delicacy at NCCU Guangshe That Wows the Taste Buds
Nestled within the lush greenery of National Chengchi University (NCCU), the “NCCU Guangshe” restaurant is tucked away in a gray building. Its exterior looks no different from any other ordinary structure, but step inside, and you’ll be instantly captivated by its bright and cozy dining atmosphere. The large windows offer sweeping views of verdant tree shades, and the ample natural light combined with thoughtfully designed interiors make it hard to believe this is a campus eatery.
Shaomian noodles from Yunnan — refreshing and appetizing on hot summer days
Located near the Dinghao Shopping District in Taipei’s Eastern District, “Dinghao Shaomian Noodles” is a tiny eatery of less than six pyeong that is always packed with customers. Everyone comes for the “signature shaomian noodles,” which feature rich ingredients and chewy egg noodles. During meal times, it’s nearly impossible to find a seat. The slightly sour flavor of the shaomian noodles makes them especially appetizing in the summer.
Taiwan’s most beautiful restroom is in Kaohsiung — enjoy a small lotus pond while you sit on the toilet
Where is the most beautiful restroom in all of Taiwan? If you were to ask this question, the answer that gets the most votes might not be a department store or a five-star hotel, but rather the “ShiGu Qiaotang Cultural and Creative Park” in Kaohsiung. The restrooms here are not only spacious and bright, but as you sit on the toilet — while “answering nature’s call” — you can also admire a touch of greenery growing from the old red-brick walls. There's no better restroom that combines leisure with the nostalgic charm of old Taiwan.
Corgi "Kane" Goes for a Morning Swim in Kenting’s “Little Bali” and Hangs Out with Divers
Swimming offers many benefits for humans, and the same goes for dogs. Dog swimming not only helps with fitness, strengthens the cardiovascular system, cools off in hot weather, relieves stress, and aids in weight loss, but it can also help prevent or rehabilitate hip joint diseases. More importantly, it allows dogs to interact with their owners and build stronger bonds. Kane, a popular corgi on the internet, has traveled all over Taiwan with his owner. Not long ago, he went for a morning swim at Kenting’s beach, known as the “Little Bali,” where his adorable appearance caught the attention of many divers.
Explore Kitakyushu, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku in one go
During the harsh winter, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of steaming hot soup and a soak in a warm hot spring. Japan’s Yufuin is known as the "Land of Morning Mist and Natural Springs," with many local inns offering hot spring baths. There’s now a special travel package that combines Kitakyushu, the Seto Inland Sea, and Shikoku—perfect for warming up in Yufuin’s hot springs, escaping the cold in the limestone caves of the Seto Inland Sea, and climbing Matsuyama Castle in Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku, all in one trip.
Tracing Nature and History: A Deep Dive into the Mountains and Seas of Shikoku
Besides looking forward to your year-end bonus, nothing is more anticipated than the upcoming Spring Festival holiday at the end of the year. Travelers might as well take this opportunity to embark on an in-depth journey through the mountains and seas of Shikoku in Japan, admiring the breathtaking beauty of nature and the remarkable ancient architecture created by the Japanese.
Head to southern Kyushu to listen to the symphony of mountains and sea
In the music video for Hebe Tien’s popular song “Soulmate,” the lush green mountain scenery, Japanese-style trams, buildings, and shrines are a feast for the eyes, making one wonder where this MV was filmed. It turns out these beautiful scenes are all from Kagoshima! Whether it’s the active volcano Sakurajima or Kagoshima’s glass crafts known as Satsuma kiriko, they all showcase the beauty of Kagoshima. Take a holiday trip to Kagoshima and treat yourself to a visual feast.
Luodong Fringe Festival Creative Street Parade
The “Art Blog” event of this year’s Luodong Town Fringe Festival in Yilan County offers 12 free art DIY activities from now until August 9, allowing children to enjoy the fun of creation. From July 27 to August 10, Luodong Town will hold its 12th Fringe Festival near Zhongshan Park in the town, with this year’s theme being “Colorful Carnival of Creativity.” The festival features a series of performances and activities including creative workshops, fringe parties, creative float displays, the Art Blog, and the Kids’ Zone.
Run out of cash while shopping abroad? Here are 6 ways to save the day!
First, the MATCHA editors would like to remind you to set aside transportation and meal expenses separately when traveling abroad. For example, if you're going for five days, calculate the cost for five days' worth of transport and meals in advance. When it comes to larger expenses (like accommodation or buying electronics), first check whether your budget allows it. If possible, use a card to pay first to avoid the awkward situation of running out of yen while traveling!