The Shuei-Shan Recreation Area within Shei-Pa National Park has been closed due to severe damage caused by torrential rains from Typhoon Soulik. Multiple landslides occurred along the Simaixian Forest Road, the area’s main access route. After an on-site inspection, park authorities have decided to close the area for repair work, with plans to reopen in mid-January 2014.
Hai Di Lao, which recently started allowing customers to bring their own ingredients into the restaurant, quietly began trial operations at its Jingzhan branch located in Taipei’s Jianguo Fashions Mall on December 20. Phone reservations are also now available, though most seats are prioritized for walk-in customers.
Forecast: The Best Blossom Conditions in Over a Decade!\nThe “Snow and Plum Blossoms” Event on New Central Cross-Island Highway Kicks Off on the 23rd
As the end of 2017 approaches, this year’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day fall on a holiday, creating a three-day long weekend. If you can’t make it to Sydney, New York, or France for the countdown, why not take a relaxing short trip around Taiwan? Want to go out but don’t want to spend much? ETtoday News Cloud has specially compiled a list of 6 attractions across Taiwan that are either “no admission fee” or “free entry,” perfect for a carefree outing during the holiday break!
Taiwan has its own Qiandao Lake too! The scenic landscapes of the Feitsui Reservoir in New Taipei City have always been captivating. Especially when viewed from Yong’an Community in Shiding District, the reservoir is divided by surrounding mountains into numerous small lakes, resembling China’s famous Qiandao Lake. Recently, the TV idol drama “Gentle Mercy” was filmed here in Yong’an Community. What was once a secluded spot known only to a few has gained immense popularity thanks to the drama, attracting large crowds of tourists every holiday.
Embark on an in-depth journey through the ancient town of Hengchun. Pingtung’s Hengchun Ancient Town was recently selected as an international charm destination. In response, the county government launched the “Hengchun Fun, Youth Unleashed” ancient town leisure tour campaign, offering 1- to 3-day tours that guide visitors in exploring attractions around Hengchun Ancient Town. In addition to static heritage sightseeing, the tours also include experiences such as a visit to the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium to explore natural ecology, as well as trips to Qikong Waterfall and Longpan Park to experience the peninsula’s mountain and coastal scenery. The one-day tour starts at just NT$599.
One of the main highlights of the Hungry Ghost Festival, the “Hengchun Gua Competition,” will take place on August 20. This year, the Hengchun Township Office has invited 30 teams to compete, and most notably, celebrity Janet will lead the charge in the Gua event. Alongside the traditional Gua culture activities, there will also be a “City God Night Parade,” a hot music band competition, a cheerleading contest, and performances by singers Chen Shih-an and Julie Zhu over two consecutive nights, injecting new “sound” into this traditional folk event.
As 2018 approaches and the Lunar New Year draws near, HowToTrip’s in-flight catering service has unveiled its first-ever Hakka cuisine for the year. The intricate Divine Pepper-Marinated Duck requires chefs to spend 16 hours massaging the duck to ensure it fully absorbs the special sauce, enhancing its flavor. Additionally, the always best-selling homemade Dongpo pork will be available in a limited run of just 300 portions this year. HowToTrip anticipates a 20% increase in revenue, with over 10,000 items expected to sell.
This is how I see Berlin: the bigger the tourist spots, the duller they get. The small shops tucked away in alleys are what make Berlin uniquely Berlin—something no other city can replicate. If you take the time to wander and explore this city of old and new, you’ll often stumble upon delightful surprises. And Motto Berlin is one of them.
Spend a night in a historic site! Xiluo’s Yanping Old Street is full of traditional charm, and recently welcomed its first “luxury” homestay — named Xiluo Historic Homestay — priced at NT$15,000 per night, making it the highest-end accommodation in Yunlin. Guests can enjoy staying in an entire building renovated from the 78-year-old Jeap Fa Kan Kee Tea House, with interior decorations and furnishings that are precious historical artifacts. More importantly, they can spend the night in an old street filled with cultural and artistic atmosphere.
The highlight of the Taipei Water Festival, “Summer Glow Music Show,” will take place at 7:00 PM tonight at Gongguan Riverside near Yongfu Bridge in Taipei City. The evening event will feature performances by artists including Alec Su, Della, Stefanie Foo, and Chemical Monkeys. A LOVE balloon zone will be set up for photo opportunities, along with a 300-second romantic fireworks show. Couples or individuals who dare to propose or confess their love on stage—if successful—will get to launch the “Happiness Fireworks.”
The popular "Fu Jen Garden Night Market" in New Taipei City, one of the city’s most frequented night markets, temporarily closed last month due to Typhoon Soudelor. After a month of renovations, it reopened on August 18. Operating days have expanded from the original Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to include Wednesday as well. On the 24th and 31st, there will also be an on-site “Scan QR Code to Get a Voucher” event to boost foot traffic and sales.
Shop now: The "Taiwan Gastronomy Classics Exhibition," organized by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, is in full swing. Starting August 18, the "Hotel Brand Day" campaign will be launched as an added highlight, giving the public the chance to snag exclusive hotel meal coupons online at prices below 70% of their market value. Seven renowned hotels, including Shangri-La's Far Eastern Hotel Taipei, Zhiben Loreno Grand Hotel, and Fuhang Hotel, are joining this fierce competition for customers.
After being listed by CNN among the world’s 25 greatest skyscrapers, Taipei 101 has once again been selected in the “49 Life-Changing Trips” feature recently published on CNN Travel.
Cake is a beloved dessert for many women, but too much cream can feel heavy. Recently, a new cake shop opened in Da’an District, Taipei, specializing in three types of cakes: pure naked cakes, natural chiffon cakes, and French mille-feuille cakes. Among them, the naked cake has no thick layer of cream and uses grape seed oil instead of regular salad oil, offering a more delicate, refreshing taste and rich milk aroma.
This year, Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong will host a spectacular 10-minute New Year’s Eve fireworks and music show, featuring a rich combination of sound, light, and special effects. The overall visual span of the display will also be over 35% larger than last year, making it the grandest celebration in history. Additionally, the exterior of one of the city's iconic landmarks, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, will feature the giant illuminated number “2018”. For the first time, Europe award-winning fireworks will be used, designed with the creative concept of fairies scattering sparkling stardust across the night sky of Victoria Harbour, presenting a magical “Stardust Magic” show to send New Year’s greetings.
Huashan Launches 11 New Year Dishes with 30% Early-Bird Discount
What kind of dreams does a 50-year-old dad have? And can they come true? Cycling solo from Taiwan to Lhasa in China is no small feat—it’s a dream, and what set this father on his journey was another great Taiwanese teacher who dedicated herself to remote education in Yunnan.
The “Tianchi Mountain Lodge,” a midway station along the historic Nenggao Mountain Trail connecting Nantou’s Ren’ai Township and Hualien’s Tongmen area, has recently begun trial operations after two years of renovation. The entire lodge adopts eco-friendly green building design, can accommodate 100 guests, and offers dormitory-style rooms for 4, 8, and 12 people with hot water supply. The daily rate is NT$450 per person on weekdays. The lodge also features a specially designed viewing platform, allowing visitors to enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.
Grabbing the New Year’s Eve Dinner Market: Restaurants Launch High-Stakes Raffles for Voucher Prizes