Travel
Ride the Wave of ‘The Chef’ Hype – Local Ingredients Revive Tainan’s Hidden “Home-Cooked Dishes”
The movie *The Chef* has sparked a craze for traditional Taiwanese banquet cuisine. In collaboration with Tainan’s long-established restaurant “Ah Xia Restaurant,” the Yunlin-Kaohsiung-Tainan Coastal Scenic Area Administration has utilized local ingredients such as mudskippers from Beimen District, cuttlefish roe from Qigu District, and fire-roasted shrimp, paired with Taiwan’s sun-dried sea salt, to launch “home-cooked dishes” like mudskipper soup, salt-boiled live shrimp, and cuttlefish roe fried rice. Classic Taiwanese dishes are available starting as low as NT$300.
The Taipei-New Taipei Tourism Website is Launched – 60 Must-Visit Attractions Revealed
For the first time, the cities of Taipei and New Taipei have jointly launched the tourism website “Taipei-New Taipei Tourism Website.” Key collaborative elements include attractions, tour routes, and website cross-linking. By visiting either the “Taipei Tourism Website” or the “New Taipei City Tourism Website,” the public can explore over 60 must-visit attractions in the Taipei-New Taipei area and six Happiness Tour Routes, including popular recent offerings such as cycling trips and eco-friendly blue highway cross-city tours.
Sydney experiences warmest winter in over a century as crowds flock to the water
Australia has enjoyed mild winter weather this year, with no severe cold fronts and higher-than-usual temperatures in major cities. Sydney has had its warmest winter in 150 years, drawing crowds to the beaches as if spring had arrived early.
"The Blue Pearl of the South Pacific" – A Hidden Travel Gem in Fiji Loved by Celebrities
Known as the "Blue Pearl of the South Pacific," Fiji is a tropical country that feels both unfamiliar and oddly familiar to Taiwanese. It is pristine and free of urban hustle, comprising over 300 islands. Viewed from high above the South Pacific, it resembles a beautiful string of pearls scattered by the heavens.
Luxurious Emirates Airlines Direct flights from Taipei to Dubai starting February 2014
Emirates Airlines, which recently ranked first in the international airline rating Skytrax, announced that starting February 10 next year, it will launch direct flights from Taiwan to Dubai. Initially, there will be six flights per week, with a flight duration of about nine hours. In addition to the convenience of direct flights, passengers will also be able to continue their journeys from Dubai to destinations across the Middle East, as well as European cities such as London and Paris.
Dream of flying high as a flight attendant? A Hong Kong-based airline is recruiting cabin crew.
Attention all aspiring flight attendants！A Hong Kong-based airline has announced that it will hold a cabin crew recruitment event in Taiwan, with the preliminary interview scheduled from October 12 to October 15. Those who pass the preliminary round are expected to attend the final interview in mid-October. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, proficient in English, and able to reach a height of 208 cm to apply.
Aerial tours of Sun Moon Lake are no longer a dream; Nantou County is planning it
Taking a boat tour around Sun Moon Lake is a fun way to sightsee, but what if you could explore the lake from the air, taking in the panoramic views of the water and surrounding mountains? That might be even more unique. Nantou County Government is now planning to collaborate with private aviation operators to launch a “helicopter lake tour,” offering visitors a different perspective on the beauty of Sun Moon Lake.
Dyed only after being splashed with ink? Hawaii’s ultra-pure “Black Sand Beach”
Beaches around the world come in all kinds of shapes and forms, but Hawaii is home to a uniquely distinctive “black sand beach.” Here, the sand isn’t just pitch black—when you hold it in your hand, you can see the gleaming luster of the black grains shining under the sunlight, as if black ink had been splashed across the shore, creating an otherworldly and mysterious atmosphere.
Record Number of Entries | Taichung’s Top 10 Local Specialties Announced
The results of the 5th annual “Taichung City Top 10 Local Specialties” vote have been revealed. It’s no easy feat to stand out among a record-breaking 120 participating shops and 209 specialty products. Longtime favorites such as Yu Chen Hsin, Mei Fang Bamboo Tube Ice, and Katanoya once again secured their spots this year. In addition to these established brands, three “Rookie Awards” were specially given this year to Niang Jia Pie, Xing Fu Lang Tooth Crackers, and Mushroom House.
No running this time—Taichung rolls out "The Color Walk"
Color powder events are all the rage right now. A Taichung cultural and creative group is calling on ten thousand people to hit the streets on 9/21 to join The Color Walk, a colorful walking event. Unlike the recently concluded color run, this one swaps running for walking. Organizers explain that runners usually scatter immediately after a race, so they’ve chosen walking instead. On the day, there will be performances by international bands and food stalls offering global cuisines. Participants who upload their photos to Facebook can even win a cash prize of NT$100,000.
Dazzling and Magnificent Art Show – Brisbane Festival 2013 “Reflects the World”
As one of Australia’s most prestigious annual festivals, this year’s Brisbane Festival brings together artists, dancers, musicians, and acrobats from around the world, including the UK, the US, France, and Iceland. With over 85 works and 450 performances expected, the festival will grandly debut in Australia from September 7 to 28.
Intruding into the "Green Light Canyon" inhabited by elves — the hidden gem of Deshikou Stream
In everyone’s heart, there is a uniquely beautiful hidden place where you can briefly let go of life’s worries. In my real life, I’ve discovered many such secret spots around the country, and whenever I need healing, I set out to them. Those places I want to cherish forever, I don’t easily write about—they remain tucked away in a corner of my heart.
A Beautiful Mistake: Tung Blossoms Bloom in Summer in Shuili and Baguashan
Tung blossoms, which usually resemble snow-white blooms and flower in April and May, have recently bloomed again in snowy white around the Mingtan Power Plant in Shuili, Nantou, and along Lingxing Road in Baguashan. Experts say this is due to the recent fluctuating weather conditions of cold and heat, causing the plants to “misjudge” that spring has arrived — a phenomenon known as “vernalization.” Although the tung blossom display is not as dense as in spring, it is still breathtaking to see these flowers blooming at the tail end of summer.
The Songyan Xiaoshantang combines glass elements in an open space & its popular signature q-grilled pork is a hit
Recently popular Songshan Cultural and Creative Park has attracted many visitors for half-day or full-day trips. In addition to exploring Japanese-style houses, Baroque gardens, and ecological ponds, the park’s specialty restaurant Xiaoshantang stands out—by day it complements the simplicity of historic architecture, while by night it reveals subtle, romantic charm that captivates visitors. Don’t miss its Italian-inspired dishes, especially the unique Taiwan-Italian fusion q-grilled pork, which blends Western-style cooking with Taiwanese flavors.
Taiwan Railways' cruise-style train "Around Guishan Island & Push Train in Yilan" goes on sale in 5 days
Taiwan Railways' 2-day-1-night cruise-style train itinerary has always been renowned for its safety, comfort, eco-friendliness, and convenience. In the first half of this year (January to June), the average customer satisfaction rate was 93.50%, and it has been quite popular since its launch. For autumn and winter travel, Taiwan Railways has also planned three unique train tours, allowing passengers to easily enjoy the fun of traveling in the cooler seasons.
Chiayi County’s Folk Custom “Fengtian Temple Goddess Lantern Festival Parade” Applies for National Cultural Heritage Status
No less renowned than the Dajia Mazu Lantern Parade in Taichung, Chiayi County’s unique county-designated folk custom “Fengtian Temple Goddess Lantern Festival Parade” has recently been applied for recognition as a “Nationally Designated Intangible Cultural Asset” by Fengtian Temple to the Ministry of Culture.
Taipei’s Yuanshan 5 Museums & 1 Historical Site Form “Taipei City Museum Cluster” Cultural Map
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs has linked five museums and one historical site in the Yuanshan area to create the “Taipei City Museum Cluster” cultural map, aiming to develop a new-generation cultural convergence hub. Renovations across the various zones are scheduled to begin next year, with completion targeted for 2017.
The Houtong Cat Lantern Festival Kicks Off This Weekend & Limited-Edition Cat Blessing Bookmarks & Platform Tickets to Be Given Away
In recent years, Houtong Cat Village has garnered increasing attention from both domestic and international travelers, with visitor numbers on the rise. Following the inauguration of the Houtong Cat Bridge on March 30 this year, it has become a must-visit attraction for tourists from Hong Kong, Macau, and independent mainland Chinese travelers. The 319 Cat Lovers Association, which promotes harmonious coexistence between humans and cats in Houtong, will host the second edition of the Cat Lantern Blessing Festival this weekend (September 7 and 8) at the plaza in front of Houtong Railway Station.
The “Fluffy Rabbit” Hops into a Corner of Taitung’s Sanciandao, Becoming “Beishilian’s Secret”
The “Forest’s Secret” Fluffy Rabbit Has Moved Out！The Taitung special exhibition of Jimmy Liao’s “A Corner of the World,” which accompanied both adults and children through the long summer vacation, closed on September 1. The much-anticipated “Fluffy Rabbit,” leaping off the pages of Jimmy Liao’s illustrations, along with other artworks, will be relocated to the Beishilian Tribe on Sanciandao in Chenggong Township, Taitung, becoming “Beishilian’s Secret.”
Why don’t young people stay in Taiwan? Why do they leave to become “international” volunteers?
Ray, a Tibetan exile who teaches Mandarin, said: “Originally, I was planning to go with a friend, but just as I had finished all the paperwork, he told me his visa hadn’t been approved. I was really scared at the time—after all, everyone says it’s dangerous there, and that girls should never go alone. I hesitated for a long time, but something kept pushing me forward.”