The Mid-Autumn long weekend is just around the corner. Want to go out but worried about crowds and driving? The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has partnered with 16 travel agencies to launch a promotional campaign from September 19 to October 31, offering “Buy 4, Get 1 Free.” Travelers can explore Taiwan by taking the “Taiwan Sightseeing Bus.”
“Lane 30, Yongji Road” in Taipei City is a popular hub for food and street snacks in northern Taiwan. Among the eateries here is a Vietnamese restaurant that draws crowds during mealtimes. Even if there’s no immediate seating, patrons patiently wait because the flavors are authentic, the portions generous, and the broth is simmered with three types of meat bones. Some even drive an hour just to try it.
Located on the western side of Lantau Island, Tai O has a long history in Hong Kong and was originally a village focused on fishing, salt production, and seafood processing. Its most distinctive feature is the traditional stilt houses, where local fishermen have lived for generations.
In the northwest of Hong Kong, there's a laid-back and approachable gem — "Yuen Long." Though it continues to progress with the times, it remains peaceful and unhurried, preserving many charming ways of life as well as the most authentic local Hong Kong cuisine. Below, we’ll take you through the streets and alleys with the locals, using the daily life of Yuen Long to introduce you to the local lifestyle in Hong Kong.
Asia’s largest yellow rubber duck has finally arrived in Kaohsiung. Hofmann stated that this yellow duck, the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world, is being exhibited in Taiwan with the hope of bringing more laughter and an atmosphere of peace to people. As for the many questions about whether the duck is afraid of typhoons, Hofmann laughed and said, “I hope those who come to see the duck will blow the typhoon away quickly.”
The Rubber Duck has officially landed in Kaohsiung, with an estimated 100,000 people flocking to the scene to catch a glimpse of the iconic duck making its way into Glory Pier. The original designer of the Rubber Duck, Florentijn Hofman, arrived aboard the tugboat pulling the duck amidst the sound of a lead boat’s horn, entering from Glory Pier and drawing cheers from the crowd. Hofman said that the 18-meter-tall, 25-meter-wide Rubber Duck is the largest of its kind in Asia, and he hopes it can bring more hope and joy to the people of Taiwan.
Ying Dao Zhou is a very well-known dish in Macau and is said to be a favorite among many celebrities. It was originally on our must-try list during our first visit to Macau, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we couldn’t make it. So on our second trip, we made a special reservation. Making a reservation at Ying Dao Zhou is very simple—just book via the restaurant’s Facebook page by providing your name, phone number, time, and the number of guests. The booking process includes a question about whether you’d like to reserve the mustard shredded chicken. Even though I’m not a fan of mustard, knowing it’s a must-book item, we couldn’t miss trying it.
Despite the approaching Typhoon Usagi, Kaohsiung enjoyed sunny weather today (19th), with crowds gathering at Pier-2 Art Center and Glory Pier to catch the official arrival of the "Yellow Rubber Duck." The duck, expected to arrive at Glory Pier around 4 p.m., was fully inflated during the morning rehearsal — taking just seven minutes. Even designer Florentijn Hofman remarked that Taiwan’s inflation technique is astonishing.
While Taiwanese enjoy mooncakes during Mid-Autumn, Japanese prepare tsukimi dango, but did you know Koreans actually celebrate with songpyeon? That’s right—this “song” isn’t what you think. The essential seasonal treat in Korea is a small, steamed bun-like pastry called “songpyeon.”
The yellow duckling hasn’t officially arrived in Kaohsiung yet, but a six-foot-tall duck has already appeared around the city. With its round, cute shape and flat beak, it’s super eye-catching, and many visitors to Kaohsiung are lining up to take photos with it. But unlike the real “yellow duckling,” this giant version is actually a “gray duckling.”
Racing Against Typhoon Usagi: The Yellow Rubber Duck Was Fully Inflated by the Morning of the 19th and Officially Docked in Kaohsiung in the Afternoon, Floating into Glory Pier. Many People Took Advantage of the Fine Morning Weather to Visit with Their Families, Catching a Glimpse of the 18-Meter-Tall Giant Duck. Some Children Screamed Excitedly upon Seeing the Real Thing, Shouting “Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck Duck,” While Others Naively Commented, “My Duck at Home Is Uglier!”
The Rubber Duck landed at Kaohsiung’s Glory Pier at 4 p.m. on the 19th. Early that morning at around 6 a.m., staff began a full rehearsal at the Pier-2 Art Center. Due to the approaching Typhoon Usagi, the rehearsal progressed somewhat slowly. It wasn’t until after 11 a.m. that when the duck was fully inflated and finally launched into the water, the excited crowd on-site erupted into cheers and applause. Currently, Kaohsiung enjoys bright sunshine, and the city has already seen heavy traffic from those returning home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“My first trip was when I was 12. On my birthday, my dad booked me a one-way ticket to the UK and signed me up for a seven-day summer camp, telling me I couldn’t come home for two weeks… What happened after those seven days? I had no idea at all…………”
Where to go for moon gazing this Mid-Autumn? To offer residents more moon-viewing options, the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau has specially added night lighting scenery at the Tianliao Hell Valley Geopark. The rugged mudstone terrain blends with creative and playful lighting elements, creating another kind of enchanting beauty through light and shadow.
The countdown has begun for the Yellow Rubber Duck’s arrival in Kaohsiung. Early on the 19th, staff started the final rehearsal at Pier-2 Art Center, which was expected to wrap up by 9 AM. At 4 PM, the Yellow Rubber Duck will officially make its debut in Kaohsiung, with the 18-meter-tall, Asia’s largest rubber duck “swimming” into Glory Pier. The weather in Kaohsiung at 6:30 AM on the 19th was sunny and clear, and the staff were excited to welcome the duck.
With less than 24 hours to go before the arrival of the yellow rubber duck in Kaohsiung, the city is already immersed in a wave of "yellow fever." The four-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday coinciding with the duck’s landing has left hotels fully booked, while shops, street vendors, and luxury department stores have all jumped on the bandwagon. A stroll through Kaohsiung reveals rubber ducks everywhere.
What makes a Christmas truly romantic? Enjoying a candlelit dinner in a transparent igloo while taking in the Repulse Bay night view—that’s romance at its finest. This December, The Pulse mall in Hong Kong’s Repulse Bay has just opened an “igloo restaurant,” where you can enjoy afternoon tea, watch the sunset, and gaze at the night scenery on the mall’s rooftop. In addition to the festive Christmas decorations, there will also be scheduled “snowfall” outside the igloos, immersing you in the cozy winter holiday atmosphere.
Located in Renwu District, Kaohsiung, Xishabanshan Lamb Hotpot has been in business for over four years. Previously offering an all-you-can-eat meal at 288 NT Yuan featuring both “Lamb Hotpot & Duck with Ginger,” despite its slightly off-the-beaten-path location, it still attracted a loyal customer base. Recently, due to rising costs, the price was adjusted to 350 NT Yuan all-you-can-eat, with no additional 10% service charge — still great value. What’s more special is that aside from hotpot options, the shop also offers a variety of ready-to-eat dishes daily, including beef and pork slices for those who prefer not to eat lamb, making it a high cost-performance choice.
Known as Taiwan's largest tulip garden, Peach Blossom Valley recently announced on its official Facebook page that travelers nationwide can book free entry online before December 31, 2017, saving NT$350 per person with a daily limit of 300 visitors.
As 2017 winds down and 2018 approaches, various regions across Taiwan are rolling out sunset-watching, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and first light welcome events. The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has specially compiled information on themed activities within the national scenic areas, as well as recommended nearby attractions, local cuisine, and souvenir options. The bureau hopes the public will make the most of the first long holiday of 2018 by planning a trip and setting new year’s resolutions.