Travel
International Travel Expo / Short-Haul Trips Get Even Better Deals – Tokyo 5-Day Trip for Just ¥12,000 Including Tax and More
The International Travel Expo kicks off this Friday (the 18th), with various travel agencies and tourism bureaus offering significant discounts on short-haul independent travel packages. Starting from just NT$6,900 for a 3-day, 2-night trip to Hong Kong, NT$8,999 to Korea, and NT$8,800 for a 5-day trip to Thailand – overall, there are discounts of about 10% to 50% compared to regular market prices. For Japan, there are also special deals featuring low-cost airlines. Interested travelers are encouraged to visit the expo during its run to check out the options in person.
South Korea’s “Tourist Police” Arrive – Fluent in Japanese, English, and Chinese to Protect Travelers from Scams
The South Korean government has launched a “Tourist Police” unit, whose members are proficient in various languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese. Their mission is to prevent tourists from being overcharged while traveling around Seoul. Notably, the “Tourist Police” wear dark blue uniforms designed by PSY’s go-to designer and made their first appearance “riding” the horse-riding dance, arriving in Seoul.
50th Anniversary of Old Master Q – Hualien Cultural and Creative Park to Host a “Cheers” Halloween Party
The “Alcohol Culture Experience Hall” within Hualien Cultural and Creative Park grandly opened on the 16th. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the beloved character Old Master Q, created by renowned Chinese comic artist Wang Zhe, the park has also set up an “Old Master Q American-style Themed Bar” and an “Old Master Q Merchandise Pavilion.” They are launching the “Long Time No Cheers – Old Master Q’s Spooky Comic Dance Halloween Party,” where visitors can enjoy a selection of craft beers from around the world and party with Old Master Q this Halloween.
Taipei International Travel Fair / “Grab” deals starting on the 18th – Record-breaking number of booths
The ITF Taipei International Travel Fair kicks off with a bang from October 18 to 21 at the 1st and 2nd floors of Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 and Hall 3. A total of 1,350 booths will be on display, marking a 12.5% increase and setting a new record in scale. As this year’s fair starts one week earlier than usual and the Lunar New Year falls at the end of January next year, travel agencies and airlines have launched their discount battles ahead of time.
Purple sprites descend on lush forests — explore the generational natural treasure of the Rukai people, “Purple Butterfly Valley”
A “purple army” is set to sweep into southern Taiwan in force. The unique, wintering purple butterfly valley in Maolin District, Kaohsiung — the only one of its kind in Taiwan and rated as a three-star must-visit ecological attraction by the international travel bible *Michelin Green Guide Taiwan* — will showcase its spectacular scenery from November 16th over the course of four and a half months. In the valleys of southern Taiwan, this fleeting yet beautiful life of the purple sprites will be on full display.
"Yushan Hostel" Announces Indefinite Closure; Yu Guoxin: Protecting Taiwan and Abolishing Nuclear Power Can't Wait
The well-known old hotel "Yushan Hostel" in Chiayi has announced an indefinite closure starting today. Yesterday evening (16th), Yushan Hostel's official fan page posted online that, in support of the anti-nuclear movement, the hostel will cease operations indefinitely. Yu Guoxin, the person in charge of Yushan Hostel, stated: "The closure is to allow all full-time staff to participate in the anti-nuclear campaign. As for their salaries after the closure, I will figure out a way."
Taipei International Travel Fair kicks off – Evergreen Hotels’ Din Tai Fung xiaolongbao with premium guest service
The Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) is being held from the 18th to the 21st at the Taipei World Trade Center Halls 1 and 3. Tourism bureaus and attractions from around the world are offering their best annual deals. The two hotels under the Evergreen Resort Hotel group not only provide great value room rates, but have also partnered with Din Tai Fung, ranked second in CNN’s list of the world’s best restaurant chains, giving guests the chance to enjoy Michelin one-star cuisine—the ever-popular xiaolongbao from Din Tai Fung—when staying at either hotel.
Taipei International Travel Fair: Consumer Protection Officers on Site Throughout to Provide Consultation and Handle Complaints
The 2013 Taipei International Travel Fair is set to kick off tomorrow, and many people are no doubt preparing to "score great deals." However, based on past experience, there have been reports of consumer disputes at the fair. To protect consumer rights and implement the "Consumer Protection Officers on the Frontline, Trade Shows Go Go Go" initiative, the Taipei City Department of Legal Affairs has announced that consumer protection officers will be stationed throughout the event to provide consultation and handle complaints.
Strong autumn winds kick off – head to the Miaoli Kite Festival for acrobatic performances
With the strong autumn "jiujiang winds" blowing, it’s time to “fly a kite in the wind”! Now in its third year, the Miaoli Kite Culture Festival takes place on the 19th and 20th at the Riverside Park in Miaoli City. This year, the event invites international kite masters from countries such as Canada and Singapore. Malaysia will present an innovative performance featuring hexagonal kites, while the Macau kite team will showcase the longest luminous kite, “Smiles Across the Sky.” Free wish kites will also be given out on-site.
Eight thousand people in Taiwan suffer from "skiing addiction" – a compulsive urge that only appears in winter?
Are there eight thousand people in Taiwan suffering from "skiing addiction," with symptoms that flare up every winter and cannot be cured? A 25-year-old Taiwanese man working at a well-known resort in Hokkaido said that as soon as the ski season begins, he picks up his skiing gear every afternoon and heads to the slopes, not stopping until completely exhausted. According to staff at the resort, typical sufferers of "skiing addiction" imagine the magical thrill of speeding down the snowy slopes the moment they see snow.
Taiwan’s One-of-a-Kind Sound: Grandma Sun-Drying Peanuts in Penghu
The grandma picks up peanuts with both hands, sorting through them to make sure they dry evenly. “Peanuts used to play a very important role for us people in Penghu. ‘Luzaimou’ (in the Penghu dialect of Taiwanese, ‘you’ is pronounced something like lu-san?),” she says as she flips over the peanuts.
Hidden Gem Restaurant at NTU – Taifengwei’s Mildly Spicy “Golden Triangle Rice” Is a Hit
Nestled in the alleys of Taipei’s Gongguan shopping district, there is a Thai restaurant known only to NTU students as a “hidden gem.” Not only are the prices affordable, but the flavors are also authentic. During meal times, the place is always packed with students who love Thai food but want to save money, even attracting Italian students who “follow the aroma.”
Lunch diners / Diced tomatoes and fresh milk go straight into the pot – winter hot pot warms the stomach the most
Winter is here, and that means it’s time for hot pot！ Located in the Minsheng community, “Minzhi Small Hot Pot” is committed to using only the freshest ingredients, with no shortcuts taken from simmering the broth to preparing the rich assortment of toppings！ The classic Japanese-style bonito broth is light, refreshing, and sweet to the taste； their specially introduced tomato and milk hot pots feature freshly diced tomatoes and Linfengying fresh milk added straight into the pot, along with carefully selected fresh meat slices – beef, lamb, chicken, and pork, each winning the hearts of different diners！ The accompanying hot pot ingredients are also super generous and filling！
Admire the rain-soaked trees of Yilan and forage for ingredients along the way!“The Curry Fun Run” is aromatic and healthy
Admire the rain-soaked trees of Yilan and forage for ingredients along the way!“The Curry Fun Run” is aromatic and healthy
Taipei International Travel Fair / 2.6% off！ Double occupancy at Dongsen Hot Spring Hotel for NT$3,980
The Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) has been expanded this year, with the number of participating countries and booths reaching an all-time high. The World Trade Center Hall 3 has been designated as the hotel accommodation zone. As early as the morning, there was a long queue at the entrance—people eager to snag discounted accommodations and affordable meal vouchers during the fair. For example, Dongsen Mountain Resort Hotel is offering a 2.6% off deal on a parent-child two-day trip. A four-person one-night stay with two meals, originally priced at NT$22,728, is now available for just NT$5,980 at the fair.
Taipei International Travel Fair / Anhui Provincial Tourism Association Delegation Visits Eastern Travel Shopping Platform
The 2013 Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) grandly opened on the 18th, and the Anhui Provincial Tourism Association of mainland China also organized a large-scale visiting group to come to Taiwan for inspection and to promote cross-strait tourism exchanges. In the afternoon of the 18th, the delegation visited Eastern Travel Agency, Eastern Home Shopping, and Sen Sen Department Store to tour and exchange views.
Taipei International Travel Fair / Eastar Resort Hotel mascot dances to celebrate surpassing five million in sales
The Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) kicked off today (18th) on the 1st and 2nd floors of Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 and in Hall 3. The hotel discount-focused Hall 3 saw a huge crowd flood in immediately after opening at noon, scrambling to snap up discounted travel packages on-site. Eastar Resort Hotel even brought out its mascot "SenSen" to bust out the "Gangnam Style" dance with sales staff, drawing crowds of onlookers and shrieks of excitement — successfully driving up buyer traffic.
The Most Comfortable Mountain Adventure: Caoling Historic Trail Trail Run Kicks Off on the 20th
Cool autumn brings not only fiery red maple leaves but also swaying golden miscanthus grass to admire. Located in northeastern Taiwan, the Caoling Historic Trail offers more than just undulating mountain ranges and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Guishan Island in the distance—its picturesque fields of miscanthus along the path are equally soul-soothing. Starting this Sunday (the 20th), the “Caoling Historic Trail Trail Running Challenge” lets you jog through the grassy trails for the most comfortable mountain adventure imaginable.
Taipei International Travel Fair / Las Vegas Show Girl with skin as white as a doll
The Taipei International Travel Fair kicked off today (18th), with various tourism bureaus and travel agencies bringing in performance groups to attract visitors. The U.S. pavilion specially invited Las Vegas Show Girls, whose fair skin and figures became the center of attention. The Japan pavilion also brought a model train from Enoshima, the Dango Man character, and a Tohoku Juhyo (tree ice) performance area. The JAL Disney section allowed visitors to wear Disney accessories for photos.
Best Airports to Sleep In: Changi Ranked World's No. 1, Taoyuan Asia's No. 6
Many travelers sometimes have to spend the night at airports due to various reasons during their journeys, and the "sleeping service quality" of airports has become increasingly important to them. The well-known travel website "The Guide to Sleeping in Airport" announced on the 15th the world’s and each continent’s top 10 best airports to sleep in, with Taoyuan International Airport ranking sixth in the "Asia’s Best Airports to Sleep In" list.