Travel
Grand Hyatt Taipei: The Afternoon Tea at Café Kaffe “Returns in Style”!
Grand Hyatt Taipei announced today (Oct. 1) that starting now, its first-floor Café Kaffe has added an afternoon tea session from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, featuring nearly 100 Chinese and Western delicacies presented across four distinct themed zones. Available every day, including weekdays and weekends, this special offer is priced at just NT$780 + 10% per person, attracting office workers in Taipei’s Xinyi District as well as those who miss lunch due to a busy schedule.
Lunchtime Foodies / Spicy Hot Pot That Hits You Right in the Brain — Even Celebrities Can’t Get Enough of This
Cloud friends, get your water and tissues ready — Lunchtime Foodies tearfully recommends “Hanji Tiger Noodle House” as it goes spicy today!* The shop has been loved by many celebrity friends since its opening. The signature dish, “Tiger Spicy Hot Pot,” hits you right in the brain with its spice, yet the broth magically turns sweet on the finish; another fan favorite is the “Red Oil Stir-Fried Dumplings” tossed with sesame sauce and peanut powder, bursting with aroma — a top pick at the eatery that earns diners’ thumbs up...
Miaoli International Arts Festival: Rock Legend Wu Bai Meets Legendary Tenor Russell Watson
Rock meets opera tenor voice – the Miaoli International Arts Festival kicks off on October 26. This year’s event features rock legend Wu Bai and his band China Blue, as well as one of the world’s three greatest tenors, Russell Watson, taking turns to perform. The public can enjoy two completely different musical styles in one festival. The county government said that anyone presenting five receipts from purchases made in Miaoli during September and October can exchange them for one free ticket.
U.S. federal government announces shutdown; Yosemite and Statue of Liberty temporarily closed
The White House announced on October 1 that due to the failure to pass the budget bill, certain federal government agencies would be partially shut down starting that day. Major state attractions under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, such as museums and national parks, were the first to be affected. Due to a lack of operating funds to pay staff salaries, these sites began ceasing public access from October 1.
News / Mainland China ferries enter Northern Taiwan — “Sea Strait” reaches Pingtan in just three hours
The high-speed passenger ferry “Sea Strait” from Fujian will commence its inaugural voyage at Taipei Port on October 9, with a press conference held today (the 2nd). This marks the first time Taipei Port has activated its “passenger transport” service mechanism, as well as the first entry of a mainland-operated ferry into Northern Taiwan, setting a new milestone for direct cross-strait shipping. In the future, travelers will be able to reach Pingtan from Taipei in just three hours, offering yet another convenient option for tourism and business trips to Mainland China.
Family Visit Trip to Los Angeles: Zhang Qiaofei Takes You on a Grand Journey to the West (Part 1)
Having studied foreign languages for five years and spent 30 days studying abroad in New York, I’m confident in my English skills. I love the warmth of Americans and the vastness of the land. This summer, I went to LA with my mom and aunt to visit my long-missed younger aunt.
Not just zombie runs—transform your bike to tackle the “balance beam challenge”!
Beyond zombie runs and color runs, the cycling festival has also embraced a “quirky trend.” The “2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival,” officially held from November 9 to 17, will culminate in an event in “Dapu Township,” Chiayi County, inviting cyclists from nine countries. It will also host the first-ever “Bike Cosplay Balance Challenge,” where eye-catching costumes and designs could win you great prizes.
Healing vibes are blowing too – a dreamy giant whale swims into Taipei
The healing trend is sweeping across Taiwan again. After the little yellow duck stirred up a duck craze in the harbor city, the Paper Windmill Theatre Troupe has brought in the world’s largest blue dream sperm whale, spanning over 68 meters, which has now arrived at Taipei Youth Park. Visitors can walk into the whale’s mouth and explore its body to experience the vibrant underwater world created in the Sperm Whale Theme Pavilion. The site also features various giant inflatable cartoon characters, allowing both children and adults to relive their childhood memories.
Worth the Wait in Line: Qiwei Dumpling House’s Side Dishes Win Over Customers
I rarely wait in line for a meal, but this place was specially recommended by Zhaojun, who insisted the food was really good. So I patiently waited, watching as the small shop was mostly filled with parents dining with their kids. The side dishes in the display case were almost all gone. Zhaojun hurried to order everything we wanted from the owner to make sure we wouldn’t be left without when our food arrived.
Weekend crowds surge — Kaohsiung’s duck-watching shuttle now departs from Exit 1 of Central Park MRT Station
In the 10 days since the Yellow Rubber Duck exhibition opened, visitor numbers have surpassed 1.4 million. To help people get to see the duck more quickly, the Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau has advanced the free shuttle bus service to start at 10 AM starting October 5, and has set up a dedicated bus lane for duck-viewing, ensuring a smooth journey to see the duck.
Lunchtime diners / Authentic Vietnamese beef pho that’s refreshing and not greasy – diners come from far and wide
Lane 30, Yongji Road is a key lunchtime destination for office workers in the Xinyi District. Today, let’s check out “Wuding Yuefeng Noodle House”! Be sure to order the “Beef Pho” and “Curry Pork Noodles” here. Just look at the satisfied expressions on the diners’ faces – you can tell the Vietnamese owner-chef’s cooking skills are simply outstanding. What kind of delicious magic has she conjured up that makes diners go out of their way to come here, and even want to visit again, and again, and again until they just can’t come any more?
Stir-fried in a large pot for ten hours into sugar — Kaohsiung winter melon tea leaves a sweet aftertaste
Taiwan’s traditional beverage “winter melon tea” is considered one of the summer’s ultimate thirst-quenchers. Originating from the Japanese colonial era, this tea was regarded by the older generation as a health drink that could relieve internal heat and reduce swelling. In the eyes of modern consumers, it helps reduce facial puffiness and eliminate excess water. In the narrow alleys of Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, there is a shop that makes winter melon tea fresh on-site. Nestled in a small lane, anyone passing by can smell the fragrant aroma of the owner hand-stirring the winter melon sugar non-stop.
Different charm — The nighttime reflection of the Yellow Rubber Duck on the water is even more enchanting.
The yellow rubber duck from the Netherlands has slid into Kaohsiung!! Everyone has been looking forward to it for so long. When it was exhibited in Hong Kong before, it caused a huge sensation. I really wanted to rush over to see it then, and later I heard that Taiwan would soon have its exhibition too, with the maiden voyage in Kaohsiung — I was overjoyed!! After all, such a huge duck isn’t something you can see just anywhere!!
An Orlando Disney World as big as Keelung City — the world’s largest fairy-tale kingdom
Florida is also known as the “Sunshine State,” with mild temperatures year-round, making it a major tourist destination in the United States. In addition to the famous Miami beach vibe, another major city, Orlando, is home to multiple world-renowned theme parks. Among them, Walt Disney World in Orlando attracts over 45 million visitors annually, significantly boosting local tourism.
Brown sugar fresh milk is all the rage — Liang Chen Ji Shi debuts its bubbly brown sugar thick fresh milk, which is also blowing up on Instagram
Thick fresh milk with brown sugar boba is the ultimate combo. Recently, bubble tea shops have been riding a wave of brown sugar pearl fresh milk trends. Stores like Taichung’s Tiger Sugar, known for its brown sugar specialties, and Tainan’s Dongzhou Brown Sugar Milk Shop have been trending big on Instagram. Now, Nado, a celebrity, has launched his own bubble tea brand “Liang Chen Ji Shi,” which recently introduced the super indulgent “Bubbly Brown Sugar Thick Fresh Milk,” sparking another Instagram photo and check-in craze.
Witness love in front of the Rubber Duck – an ultra-romantic must-see duck-viewing spot
The Yellow Rubber Duck exhibition in Kaohsiung has sparked a nationwide duck-viewing craze, attracting 1.67 million visitors so far, with widespread online discussion and photo sharing. The Facebook page “Kaohsiung Incredible” recently called on netizens to submit photos of the Rubber Duck, which were then judged by aesthetics experts. Photos such as couples kissing with the Duck as witness to their love, reflections of the Duck by the harbor, and a Duck wearing a crown accumulated 15,751 likes and 197,197 clicks, and have been widely shared by many users.
Exclusive for travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea: Skip the lines to watch Taipei 101’s New Year’s Eve show
Thinking about celebrating New Year’s in Taiwan? Act fast. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism announced today (the 3rd) that it has partnered with China Airlines to launch a special “Taipei’s Most Exciting New Year City – 2014 Countdown Fireworks Limited Tour” package for overseas visitors. This includes two “skip-the-line” perks: watching the New Year’s Eve show rehearsal without waiting in line, and enjoying snacks at Ningxia Night Market without queuing. These features aim to boost tourist numbers to Taipei.
Become an airline "brand ambassador" — but first, learn to sing "Pork Rice Dumplings"?
Want to be a flight attendant? First, you might need to sing "Pork Rice Dumplings." A national airline recruiting flight attendants and brand ambassadors held its second-round interview today (3rd), focusing on clear logic, quick wit, and verbal communication skills. Candidates were especially tasked with promoting the company’s positive image and introducing in-flight meal options to examiners in creative ways. One candidate even picked up the menu and sang "Pork Rice Dumplings" to introduce Taiwan’s signature snack.
New Taipei City International Environmental Art Festival "Around the World" Carnival Parade in Tamsui This Saturday
Organized by New Taipei City, the 2013 International Environmental Art Festival will make its dazzling debut in Tamsui this Saturday (October 5)! With 49 teams and over 1,500 participants dressed in artistic costumes representing various countries, Tamsui Old Street will be transformed into a wild carnival of "Around the World" fun.
A Family Visit Trip to Los Angeles – Zhang Qiaofei Takes You on a Grand Journey to the West (Part 2)
After queuing for about two hours, I finally got my entry sticker and then ordered food. After that, we headed to OLE TOWN (Old Town), a famous attraction in San Diego. The buildings there are mostly no more than three stories high due to their historical significance.