Travel
Handcrafted Thai Cuisine: Chef Ah Ming’s 2cm Ultra-Thick Moon Shrimp Patties Amaze
When it comes to Thai cuisine, one might think of common stir-fries, spicy and sour soups, or shrimp pastes—all with flavors so tangy and spicy they make your mouth water. But if you want to witness a chef’s true skill, look no further than this “2cm-thick moon shrimp patty,” which showcases extraordinary craftsmanship.
A Tour of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
When it comes to California, San Francisco is definitely a city that all travel-loving visitors want to revisit. Aside from the most iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf are arguably the area’s most popular attractions.
Fishing and drying fish rely entirely on the weather — A surprising opium bed discovered in a small Malaysian fishing village
When traveling to a country, if you don’t pause your hurried steps and step into the lives of the local residents, the journey can feel a bit superficial. Sometimes it’s a single household, a garden, or even just a few words that allow travelers to get a little closer, to feel that cultural difference and the meaningful collision that leaves a beautiful impression — and these residents often reflect the history of the city or the country.
The most charming village in Matsu: Qinpibu, a picturesque haven
Anyone who has been to Matsu knows that this Taiwanese outlying island is filled with the simple charm of its people, and each of its four townships and five islands has its own unique character. If you want to spend a long weekend exploring Matsu, it’s recommended to choose one island and take your time to enjoy its beautiful scenery and local culture. Among the islands of the four townships and five islands, Qinpibu Village on Beigan Island—known as the “Mediterranean of Matsu”—features iconic architecture that looks as if time has stood still.
Europe’s Real-Life “Popeye the Sailor” Village to Relive Your Childhood Dreams
You must remember the iconic cartoon scenes of Popeye the Sailor Man, the famous American comic character, who would gain superhuman strength and turn the tide after eating spinach whenever his rival Bluto beat him up. Those spinach-eating moments even sparked a spinach craze in the United States. Now, you can experience the life of Popeye and Olive Oyl firsthand at the real-life “Sweethaven Village” Popeye Village located in a small European country — Malta.
No more rushing to catch flights? Six new tax refund service centers open in Seoul
Recognizing tourists' significant spending power, South Korea allows visitors to claim a tax refund by obtaining a refund form from designated stores when making purchases over 30,000 KRW. However, as refunds could only be processed at the airport departure hall in the past, travelers had to arrive early, causing much inconvenience. On August 30, the Korea Tourism Organization announced the opening of six new tax refund service centers in Seoul to make the process more convenient.
Magic shows, balloons, cotton candy — a party on the blue highway at sea
The Blue Highway micro-tour just got bigger! Starting in September, Taipei’s Blue Highway offers more than just river cruises and scenic views — it now features autumn-themed party cruises with interactive magic shows, shaped balloons, and nostalgic cotton candy. Passengers on these seasonal cruises will also receive one of 1,000 limited-edition cute animal magnets. To coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, ferry rides from Guandu Pier during the holiday period are only NT$55.
Taipei International Travel Fair Breaks Records with Lowest-Ever Discounted Limited Tickets on Sale
The 2013 Taipei International Travel Fair, to be held in October, has set a new record for the largest scale in the fair’s history, featuring 60 countries and 1,350 booths. To celebrate this unprecedented scale, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau is offering the lowest discount tickets ever available for a limited time, available for the public to snap up.
Enjoy the mountains, the sea, and music — the "2013 Taroko Music Festival" lets you sit in the canyon as the melodies play
Nestled within the Taroko National Park, home to breathtaking natural wonders, listening to a musical extravaganza amidst such scenery would be an experience like no other. The "2013 Taroko Canyon Music Festival" will take place on two consecutive Saturdays — September 28 and October 5 — at the Qingshui Cliffs and the Liwu River Valley near the Changchun Shrine.
Smiling Ubike Brother Edition – New Taipei Launches Blue Bikes “New Bike”
A brother edition of Taipei’s Smiling Bikes (Ubike) has arrived in New Taipei City. Officially launched on September 2, the city’s new blue “New Bike” bicycles are now available for public use. However, unlike Ubike, which offers over 3,400 bikes across 103 stations, the first batch of New Bikes is currently limited to Banqiao District, featuring 13 stations and 200 bikes.
Follow the “Yellow-Green-Red” poles to find your way around Ximending!
A must-visit spot in Taipei for foreign tourists, Ximending—known as the “Shibuya of Taipei”—is a popular shopping and sightseeing destination that attracts nearly 100,000 visitors daily. However, foreign tourists often struggle to locate their desired shops due to unclear signage. To solve this issue, Ximending has pioneered a “Yellow-Green-Red” color pole system, helping both domestic and international visitors easily find stores by following the color-coded poles.
Is demand rebounding in the Philippines after the travel ban was lifted? Industry insiders say it’s still too early to tell.
The Philippines was placed under a red travel alert by our country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving travel agencies in despair for the past three months. Apart from coinciding with the peak summer travel season—and island getaways being a popular choice during summer vacations—there were also significant cost issues involving chartered flights arranged by travel agencies and airlines, as well as hotel bookings on the ground. The tourism industry suffered heavy losses. But after the ban was lifted, how long will it take for Philippine tourism to recover? Industry players are still waiting to see.
Regular flights to the Philippines set to resume in October
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has finally lifted the red travel alert for the Philippines, especially for popular destinations like Boracay and Cebu, once again warmly welcoming Taiwanese travelers. Airlines are also gearing up for direct flights, with China Airlines confirming direct flights to Boracay starting October 18, Far Eastern Air Transport to Cebu from October 10, Philippine Airlines to Boracay from October 9, and adding flights to Cebu from November 1. The Philippines is gradually becoming a popular travel destination for Taiwanese tourists.
A Century of Time: The "Taipei Railway Culture Festival" Unveils the Bathhouse Filming Location from *The Rooftop*
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Taiwan Railways have collaborated for the first time to host the "Taipei Railway Culture Festival." To showcase the important industrial heritage along Taipei’s former railway lines and the city’s development trajectory, the Taipei Railway Workshop has been specially opened to allow visitors to explore the story of Taipei’s railways.
A Tribute to the Master: Visiting the Filming Locations of Studio Ghibli Animations
Fans of Studio Ghibli animations are often moved by their heartwarming, childlike charm and the grand yet intricately detailed scenes. Aside from the Tokyo-based Ghibli Museum Mitaka, which boasts a wealth of exhibits, where else can you step into the fairy-tale worlds of Ghibli? Join us on this tribute journey as we explore the real-life filming locations behind these beloved animated films.
Who says sashimi has to be expensive? Taipei’s Neihu district offers super high value sashimi from Donggang
Who says sashimi always has to be pricey? Who says you have to go to an upscale Japanese restaurant to enjoy it? There’s a dedicated stall called “Hong Wen Sashimi” in the food court of Neihu’s Lane 737 Night Market. Ever since Mom-Mite discovered this affordable, delicious, and convenient sashimi stall at Lane 737, Hong Wen’s sashimi has often appeared on our dining table—especially as a weekend late-night treat.
Roving Breakfast Truck Pops Up Across Greater Taipei Def Quit the 9-to-5 Life Just to Live by the Sea
A colorful breakfast truck parked at Shida Park drew a long queue, its sign reading "Roving Breakfast Truck" catching everyone's eye. It turns out this truck appears at irregular times and locations. Those eager to try it must check its social media page daily to see where it will show up tomorrow—only then can they taste its uniquely "roaming" breakfast.
Wednesday’s Little Joy: 15% Off Bread & Desserts at Linkou Ambassador Bakery on Brand Day
Corner Bakery63 Linkou Ambassador Bakery, located at the A9 Linkou Station of the Taoyuan Airport MRT, has announced Wednesdays as its brand day, offering a 15% discount on all bread and desserts—giving Linkou office workers a little weekly joy on their way to and from work.
New Mainland Travel Law Takes Effect in October; Group Tour Prices for Mainland Visitors to Taiwan Set to Rise, Numbers Expected to Drop Sharply
The mainland’s “Tourism Law” comes into force on October 1, strictly prohibiting zero-fare tours and forced shopping. As a result, tour prices for cross-strait group travel will return to normal levels, meaning that tour fees for mainland visitors coming to Taiwan will increase significantly. The Tourism Bureau stated on the 5th that the mainland group tourism market to Taiwan is expected to enter a transitional period, and it is inevitable that the number of visitors from the mainland will decline initially. However, both sides can enhance tourism quality through dual regulation.
Miniature yellow duck makes outdoor debut; smaller version appears at Kaohsiung City Government Plaza on the 7th
The yellow rubber duck is set to make its adorable debut at Kaohsiung’s Glory Pier starting September 19. A few days ago, a 10:1 scaled-down version of the duck made an early appearance in the atrium of the Sihwei District Office of the Kaohsiung City Government, attracting many citizens to stop and take photos. To allow even more people to enjoy the charm of the little duck up close, the miniature version will be displayed in the outdoor plaza of the Sihwei District Office from September 7 to September 8, giving all residents the chance to see the tiny duck up close.