Travel
Scare ghosts with ghosts? Hualien Fenglin’s “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” kicks off on the 10th
Many people are terrified of ghosts during the seventh lunar month, but some choose to go against the grain by embracing the ghost theme to welcome Ghost Month. This year marks the second edition of the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” event in Fenglin Township, Hualien County. Due to last year’s enthusiastic response, this year’s event has been expanded. Recently, a local university student even volunteered to trek around Taiwan wearing ghost eyes made from bamboo baskets on their back. Along the way, they stopped by the Monster Village in Nantou County to “interact” with the local monsters. All of this is to promote the “Lost in the Smokehouse – Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” event on August 10.
Low-cost airlines and global hotel booking platforms join forces: Book flights and accommodations together
Agoda, a well-known Asian-based global online hotel booking platform, recently announced a partnership with low-cost airline Scoot, enabling travelers to book accommodations directly on the Scoot website, making the reservation process more convenient.
“Love is doing ordinary things together” — A 50-year story in just 15 minutes at Hualien Station
We stopped at a previously unheard-of small station and arrived at a place called “Haibian” (by the sea). Although it’s in Taiwan, the color of the seawater is different from that on the east coast; the sound of the waves crashing ashore is different from the east coast; the color of the sunset is different from the east coast; the distance of the sky from me is different from the east coast; even the scent in the air is different from the east coast.
70% of 194 hotels nationwide fail public safety checks — The Lalu Hotel by Sun Moon Lake also on the list
High-end, well-known hotels aren't necessarily safe. On the 8th, the Ministry of the Interior released the results of hotel safety inspections conducted from April to July this year. Out of 194 hotels nationwide inspected for fire safety and construction standards, only 63 passed all checks, with a failure rate of nearly 70%. Well-known hotels such as The Lalu Hotel by Sun Moon Lake, which charges over NT$10,000 per night, Kingswood Hotel in Yunlin’s Chianan, Sun Moon Lake Resort in Miaoli, and Four Points by Sheraton Zhonghe were all listed as non-compliant. Travelers may pay high prices but not get safe accommodation.
Hidden Gem / A Secret Wedding Photography Spot in Northeast Taiwan – “The Bells” Add Warmth and Romance to Your Happy Moment
The interactions between the male and female leads in idol dramas are often a hot topic among fans. But beyond the characters, many of the scenic locations featured in the shows — especially the grand hotel owned by the male lead’s family and the breathtaking coastal views nearby — have unexpectedly attracted numerous couples inquiring about holding their pre-wedding honeymoon and wedding photoshoot there. They aim to capture a perfect and romantic memory for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
"We Got Married" couple Kwanghee and Ghost’s sweet hideaway in Swiss Village ! Fans rush to book newlyweds’ Room 15
Korea’s popular reality show "We Got Married" recently launched its "World Edition," starring Beast’s Yook Sungjae and Taiwanese actress Ghost (Wu Yingjie), which caused a huge sensation. In Episode 2, the newlyweds moved into a charming marital community — "We Got Married Village" — designed like a fairytale village. The area features rows of villas exuding elegant Southern European flair, all the more romantic under a blanket of pure white snow.
A coffee shop with no repeated chairs — Little Apartment hopes guests will find their most comfortable seat
Stepping into “Little Apartment,” a coffee shop tucked away on the second floor, you’re shielded from the hustle and bustle of the street. The owner, Xiao Guo, has a special fondness for “chairs” and takes pleasure in collecting all kinds of them. Almost every chair in the shop is unique, with many sourced from old markets abroad. Xiao Guo says she hopes every guest who comes here can find a chair they find comfortable, feeling at ease and relaxed.
Valentine's Day Singles Aren't Alone: Taiwan's Top Five "Love God Temples" Revealed
With Valentine’s Day approaching, do you feel particularly lonely as a singleton? Recently, a website operator launched a Valentine’s-themed campaign where netizens voted not only for Taiwan’s top five must-visit romantic spots but also for the top five “Love God Temples.” Topping the list is the historic and bustling Longshan Temple in Wanhua, famed for its highly efficacious Moon God (Yue Lao) worship, which garnered 12,405 votes.
How to Explore Taoyuan: Walk on a Skywalk & Make DIY Chocolates at a Chocolate Factory
What to do in Taoyuan? Take the newly launched Taiwan Good Line’s Xiaowulai Route to admire the stunning skywalk and take in the picturesque mountainous waterfalls of Xiaowulai. Not far away, visit the Xiaowulai Helou Tribe to experience how the Atayal hunters freely roam the mountains and enjoy authentic indigenous cuisine. Or head to Asia’s first chocolate-themed tourist factory to try your hand at making DIY chocolates.
Qixi Festival is approaching – Top 5 most romantic spots in Taiwan
The romantic Qixi Festival is just around the corner. Are you wondering where to take your partner for a stroll? Recently, a website launched a Valentine’s Day-themed poll asking netizens to vote for Taiwan’s must-visit romantic destinations. Following an enthusiastic online vote, five top romantic spots were selected. Among them, Kaohsiung’s Love River True Love Pier topped the list with 10,480 votes, favored for its distinct daytime and nighttime charm.
After standing for 10 years, Tainan’s Hai’an Road “Blue Print” art installation to be removed in September
The “Blue Print” is coming down. After nearly 10 years as a renowned art attraction on Tainan’s Hai’an Road, the iconic Blue Print is set to disappear after September as the original property owner has decided to reclaim the space. This has not only saddened figures in the arts and culture community but also surprised many tourists and local Tainan residents. Original designer and artist Liu Guocang expressed regret, but also stated he would donate the work to the city government for future maintenance and use.
Rethink all-you-can-eat experiences at this exquisite culinary republic in the resort
Enjoy complete relaxation and leisure at the resort, but the greatest joy for any traveler is an endless array of delicious food. At this Malaysian resort, catering to guests from all over the world, the main buffet restaurant offers an overwhelming selection of Chinese, Western, Japanese, Indian, Malay, and even Taiwanese cuisines. There’s also a romantic Western-style seaside restaurant where the sound of violins floats through the air as the coastal sunset paints the horizon.
The most delicious pork isn’t wagyu or kurobuta — a Korean-American chef develops ‘firewood pork’
Is the most delicious pork not kurobuta or wagyu, but “firewood pork”? Recently, Taiwan has been swept up in a ramen craze, with many people lining up for the chance to taste authentic Japanese ramen. Far away in New York, over a thousand miles from Taiwan, Momofuku Ramen, founded by renowned Korean-American chef David Chang, has conquered the picky palates of New Yorkers with its self-developed “most delicious pork” — firewood pork. Chang was even named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.”
First-ever fusion of music, beach, and surfing: “Zhenbo Surf Music Festival” debuts tomorrow
For those on this island surrounded by sea who want to enjoy a music festival, beach activities, and surfing all in one go—good news is here. Different from other major music festivals held along Taiwan’s coasts, Pacific Jade Bay is hosting the “Zhenbo Surf Music Festival” this summer for the first time, combining sightseeing, surfing, and music in a unique three-in-one experience. The event will kick off tomorrow (the 10th) at Jade Bay on the North Coast.
Traffic control around Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival; city government urges use of public transport
The 2013 Dadaocheng Fireworks will be launched at 20:30–20:50 tomorrow (Saturday) at Yanping Riverside Park. Due to the large number of expected attendees, in addition to traffic controls on water gates, regular roads, expressways, and bridges, the Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems has also planned two shuttle bus routes to transport fireworks viewers. The public is urged to use public transport to avoid traffic congestion.
Malacca UNESCO World Heritage Music Festival – The Ultimate Enjoyment in an Ancient City
Have you ever imagined what it feels like to listen to wonderful music in a UNESCO World Heritage city? The 2013 Malacca UNESCO World Heritage Music Festival (MELAKA UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL) will be held on September 13 and 14 in the historic UNESCO World Heritage city of “Malacca.” During the event, visitors can experience the distinct architecture of Malacca through music.
Taiwanese Snacks Paired with “Wooden Tableware” — Elevated to French Cuisine
Taiwanese snacks transformed into French cuisine? Most people’s impression of enjoying Taiwanese street food involves dining in crowded eateries or queuing up on the roadside. The Tainan Furniture Museum has specially introduced wooden tableware and collaborated with F&B vendors to offer Taiwanese street food cooked with Western techniques, jointly transforming these snacks into something “fashionable” and changing consumers’ perceptions of them.
Qixi Festival: Nantou’s Sky Bridge Transforms into a Magpie Bridge
August 13 is Qixi Festival, and Nantou County Government will hold an event called “Romantic Memories 2013 – Love You for a Lifetime.” The Sky Bridge will open to the public at night for the first time, and solar-powered LED lights will transform the bridge into a magpie bridge to create a romantic atmosphere. The Nantou County Tourism Bureau stated that they will gather 77 couples to kiss and hug together on the Sky Bridge at 7:07 p.m. that evening, showcasing a unique Qixi experience.
No need to have the surname Chen—Front Street Coffee’s Lèhuá branch is offering buy-one-get-one-free deals for the first three days after opening.
Recently, the Lèhuá flagship store of Old Chen’s Cold Noodles launched a trial operation event where anyone with the surname Chen could enjoy a free bowl of cold noodles before December 22. And don’t worry if you’re not surnamed Chen—
Japanese hotel chain "Gracery" to enter Taiwan, expected to open in 2019
Fujita Kanko Inc., which operates over 70 hotels and leisure facilities across Japan — including Tokyo's Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, the Washington Hotel Group, and Hakone Kowakien Tenyu — is set to enter Taiwan’s hotel market. In 2019, it will open its first hotel in Taiwan, the "Gracery Taipei Hotel" (tentative name), in Taipei’s Guanghua Shopping District.