Travel
The Original Changhua Rice Ball Shop – A Fourth-Generation Delicacy with Seventy Years of Heritage
Rice balls are an indispensable part of Taiwan’s street food culture, also originating from the Japanese colonial era. In those more frugal and challenging times, there weren’t as many snacks available as there are today. With limited daily necessities, sweet potato-based products became a popular treat to satisfy cravings.
Snowflakes fill the sky as Hong Kong Disneyland’s “Disney Christmas Wonderland” kicks off
Are you ready to celebrate Christmas? From November 14, Hong Kong Disneyland launches “Disney Christmas Wonderland.” Every evening during the event, the park presents the “Main Street Electrical Light-Up” show, where visitors can enjoy a fantastical light and projection spectacle accompanied by giant snowflakes falling from the sky. The seven themed lands also offer unique Christmas surprises, and the park has specially introduced over 110 exclusive Christmas collectible souvenirs for guests to purchase.
Recycle a plastic bottle and get one NT dollar — Taiwan now has an “automatic recycling machine”
The “automatic recycling machine,” which has been in operation in Europe and America for many years, is now available in Taiwan. To encourage citizens to participate in recycling and to use the EasyCard more for public transportation, the Kaohsiung City Government and Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation have collaborated to set up Taiwan’s first “ARM Automatic Recycling Machine” integrated with the mass rapid transit system, located on the concourse level of Exit 7 at Formosa Boulevard Station.
No Smoking Allowed Here Starting Next April – Fines Up to NT$10,000 for Violators in National Scenic Areas
The sight of people puffing away while strolling through the scenic landscapes of national parks will soon be a thing of the
Recording history with teddy bears – Seoul Teddy Bear Museum features a bear version of PSY
Located beneath N Seoul Tower, one of Korea’s most iconic landmarks, the Teddy Bear Museum is an adorable yet highly educational attraction. The teddy bears in the museum take on the roles of Koreans, guiding visitors through over 600 years of Korean history. Here, you can see not only cute teddy bears dressed in traditional hanbok, modern outfits, and more, but also watch as these bears present page after page of Korean history.
London’s Regent Street Unveils Animated Christmas Lights, Officially Illuminated on the 9th
The annual Christmas light displays on London’s Regent Street, which attract large crowds from around the world, officially kicked off with a lighting ceremony by international celebrities and directors on the evening of the 9th (UK time), as they joined the world in proclaiming “Merry Christmas!”
Life-sized wax figures recreate the 1879 scene; the Takao British Consulate Office revives British elegance
After three years of restoration, the Takao British Consulate Park in Kaohsiung has been completed. In addition to reconstructing the consulate building with historically accurate red-tiled architecture, the site also features life-sized wax figures that transport visitors back to the deliberation scenes of the past. The park officially reopened on the morning of November 12. From now on, the public can enjoy both the consulate office at the foot of the hill and the official residence atop the hill in a single visit. Admission fees remain unchanged at NT$30.
Hualien Taiwan Cycling Festival: Soar through Matai’an, Ruisui, and Danongdafu Forest Park
The 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival in Hualien, themed “Light Travel, New Cycling Trails – Green Journeys on Two Wheels,” covers three major areas: Matai’an, Ruisui, and Danongdafu Plain Forest Park. Starting today, three cycling routes are launched: Indigenous Eco-Tour, Family Farm Tour, and Forest Park Cycling.
The final day still had a "leak" — the Taoyuan yellow duck says goodbye
The eventful Taoyuan yellow duck officially bid farewell to Taoyuan on the evening of the 10th, under the cheers of nearly ten thousand spectators. During its 16-day exhibition, it attracted approximately 2.4 million visitors. Even on its last day, there was a "leak" incident where the duck’s body tilted suddenly. Some visitors joked that it must be “the little duck didn’t want to say goodbye.” From December 21st onward, the duck will move to Keelung, where people can see a version that “rotates 360 degrees.”
Even if the night market is packed, you still have to try a plate of crispy, juicy "Xiagang Famous Peng Stinky Tofu."
There are so many stinky tofu stalls in Raohe Night Market that even I haven’t tried them all yet. So far, my favorite is the first stall you see when entering from the south side near Songmen on Jilong Road. Then there’s this one—“Xiagang Famous Peng Stinky Tofu,” which I’m introducing in this article.
Never deflated again！Yellow Rubber Duck at Kaohsiung Glory Pier on Google Maps
The Yellow Rubber Duck frenzy has wrapped up in Taoyuan and will take a one-month break before making its next appearance in Keelung on December 21. Even though the duck has now left Kaohsiung and Taoyuan, those who missed it shouldn’t be sad—because Google Maps has captured footage of the Yellow Rubber Duck floating at Glory Pier. In the future, whenever you want to see the Yellow Rubber Duck, just type “Kaohsiung Glory Pier” into Google Maps, and you’ll be able to see it right away.
Lunch tip / Boss, bring me a bowl of collagen-rich goodness—pork trotters so tender they melt in your mouth!
The time-honored pork trotter shop “Ah Shui Shi” has been a fixture in Taichung for nearly 50 years and enjoys an outstanding reputation. To allow diners in the north to also savor this delicious treat, a branch has been opened on Zhongxiao East Road.
Where Heaven Meets Earth: The Breathtaking Horizon Festival in Gimje, South Korea
While Taiwan’s western plains are vast, making the horizon a common sight, in South Korea, Gimje in North Jeolla Province is the only place nationwide where you can see the horizon. Each year, Gimje hosts the “Horizon Festival” to celebrate this unique natural beauty. This year (2013), the festival was even selected as one of the “Representative Festivals of the Republic of Korea,” becoming a beloved event among locals.
Autumn Trip to Piedmont in Northern Italy: Savor the Truffle Festival
The Piedmont region in northern Italy lies within the Alpine foothills, surrounded by mountains on three sides, and is famed for its wine production. Among them, the town of Monferrato is not only covered with vineyards but also serves as a major supply hub for Alba white truffles. When autumn arrives, the hazelnut, oak, and chestnut trees in the area change colors in unison—reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples pile up, making the foothills look as if draped in a colorful layer of feathers.
Marketing Local Agricultural Products – Kaohsiung Participates in Shanghai Food Exhibition
The Kaohsiung City Government is actively moving toward internationalization. The "Kaohsiung Pavilion," organized by the city, has delivered outstanding performances at international food expos in Germany, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taipei, and Kaohsiung. This time, it is participating in the year’s final major event—the “2013 Autumn Shanghai International Food Exhibition”—to conclude its international exhibition marketing efforts for the year.
Thousands gather to make glutinous rice balls at New Taipei City’s Zhonghe Taro Ball Festival
As winter approaches, the Zhonghe District Office of New Taipei City is hosting the “Zhonghe Hospitality & Reunion Joy – 102nd New Taipei City Zhonghe District Taro Ball Festival” on Sunday, November 17th at 10 AM at Zhonghe District’s Jinhe Sports Park. The event will feature a thousand-person glutinous rice ball making competition, a carnival, challenge games, Hakka cuisine, Hakka cultural performances, and a concert by the Northern Indigenous Cats.
Biting winter cold: Traditional Chinese medicine experts teach you how to eat healthily and nourish your body
With the weather getting colder lately, it’s the perfect time to nourish your body. But how can you do it safely and healthily? The New Taipei City Government and the New Taipei City Chinese Herbal Medicine Merchants Association held an event titled “Revitalize Your Vitality, Advance the Industry,” offering the public over ten health-preserving dishes and tea recipes. Professionals were also on-site to explain the properties of various herbs and promote local licensed TCM shops, helping residents stay healthy through the winter.
Breaking News: China Airlines Cheerleading Squad in Training – See Flight Attendants Out of Uniform
Breaking away from their professional image, over ten flight attendants were seen sweating it out on camera as they danced. This is the newly formed “China Airlines Flight Attendant Cheerleading Squad,” set to make an appearance during the Korea vs. China game at the “2013 Asia Professional Baseball Championship” next Sunday. At their rehearsal, these flight attendants transformed into high-energy cheerleaders, donning two-piece professional uniforms accented with China Airlines’ iconic “plum blossom” on the off-shoulder, paired with light purple mini skirts – a bold, youthful design that radiates vibrancy.
Super Typhoon "Haiyan" the "Devil Typhoon" Devastates the Philippines; Taiwan's MOFA Issues Yellow Travel Alert
In the early morning of the 8th of this month, Super Typhoon Haiyan, regarded as "the strongest storm in human history," struck the Philippines with fierce winds and torrential rain, leaving the country severely devastated and now resembling a "living hell." With over a million people left homeless and widespread flooding, power outages, and communication disruptions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last night (the 11th) that the travel alert level for the Philippines has been raised to yellow.
Enjoy 28 Temple Street Snacks from Lukang for Just 300 RMB – Lukang Snack Feast Launches in December
The series of winter activities in Lukang will kick off on the 16th, and among them, the Lukang Snack Feast in December is an unbeatable "great value and generous portions" deal you shouldn't miss. For just 300 RMB, you can sample 28 different local snacks, including signature Temple Street treats like shrimp monkeys (虾猴) and oyster fritters (蚵嗲). On average, each dish costs less than 12 RMB. This year, the event has been expanded to include 50 tables across 4 sessions, accommodating up to 2,000 people. The snack feast will be held every Saturday in December, totaling 4 events.