Travel
Run in Style Along the Bapo Canal: Changhua’s Water-Running Festival Kicks Off on the 16th
What? Running in the Bapo Canal waterway? The 2013 Changhua Water-Running Festival will take place on the 16th and 17th in Ershui Township, Changhua County, where participants can enjoy the fun of running through water in the 300-year-old Bapo Canal. The event will be divided into competitive and experience categories, requiring participants to race through the canal’s waters in cool outfits. It invites the public to run along the water channel to invite blessings and wealth, and also offers a beautiful souvenir gift.
Yilan’s “Scallion Beauty” Jiang Yujie Leads Scallion-Pulling and Scallion Pancake-Making Activities
On November 9, a newly opened scallion experience farm named “Farmer” in Sanxing, Yilan County, not only offers visitors the fun of pulling scallions in the fields and making scallion pancakes, but also features a “Scallion Beauty” who has participated in various beauty pageants and will personally guide tourists in experiencing a day as a scallion farmer. This eye-catching beauty is the daughter of the farm owner—Jiang Yujie, a senior in the Department of Communication at Fo Guang University.
CONDOS Boutique Café — Dedicated to every drop of coffee, every dish, and every detail in decor
I’ve known Xiao Ma for ten years. I’d heard about his dream of opening a café for a decade, but never imagined it would actually come true. When I first stepped into this rather off-the-beaten-path little café, I realized Xiao Ma’s dedication wasn’t just talk.
Don’t be afraid to buy more — Singapore Airlines increases free checked baggage allowance across all cabin classes!
Singapore Airlines announced that starting from November 15, 2013, passengers traveling on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights will enjoy an additional 10 kg of free checked baggage allowance across all cabin classes. Passengers in Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Class and First Class will be entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 50 kg; Business Class and Economy Class passengers will have allowances of 40 kg and 30 kg respectively.
Relive the comeback moments！ Taiwan Baseball Exhibition Debuts in Tainan
The "Comeback: Taiwan Baseball Exhibition," themed around baseball comebacks, has launched at the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan and will run for six months until May 2014. The exhibition is divided into sections on players, teams, and the history of baseball in Taiwan, featuring early baseball gear, the emergence of the Chinese National Team, the Triple Crown era, and the outstanding performances of Taiwanese players overseas. It will also screen footage of past games, revisiting Taiwan’s exciting performances in international competitions and the Chinese Professional Baseball League’s 25-year history.
A fairyland in Yunnan！The Jade Liquid Lake in Lijiang's Blue Moon Valley shimmers with a sapphire glow
Most lakes have a light blue hue with hints of green, but in Yunnan’s Lijiang on the mainland, there is a Jade Liquid Lake in Blue Moon Valley where the water takes on an exceptionally clear azure shade. When sunlight hits, the shimmering surface sparkles like a gem, creating a truly stunning sight.
Building Nantou’s New Back Garden: The Sky Bridge to Open for Night Visits in December
Once a renowned attraction in Nantou City, rivaling the Zhushan Sky Ladder, the “Sky Bridge” set a record of attracting over a million visitors within half a year shortly after its opening in 2012. However, due to inadequate surrounding facilities, the initial hype gradually faded. The newly contracted operator, Wei Jing Company, has decided to invest NT$5 million to beautify the Sky Bridge and plans to begin night-time operations in December.
Not Just for Summer Nights – Fireflies Still Light Up Dongshi Forest Farm in Autumn and Winter
Fireflies are no longer just a summer night phenomenon. As autumn arrives, they can also be spotted in Dongshi Forest Farm in Taichung and the surrounding mountain towns, predominantly the mountain window firefly and the orange firefly. Their glowing patterns differ from those of summer fireflies. Industry insiders estimate that the enchanting nightly glow can last until the end of November, gradually fading after December.
Bike Challenge to Wufen Mountain to Admire the Miscanthus Flowers – How Is It Not Quite Like a Trip to Wufenpu?
Wufen Mountain is located at the border ridge between Pingxi District, Ruifang District, and Ruifang’s Nuannuan District in Keelung, with an elevation of 756.7 meters, making it the second highest mid-level mountain in Pingxi. After being persuaded by friends who kept saying, “The miscanthus flowers on Wufen Mountain are in full bloom right now — you’d be crazy not to go!” we hopped on our bikes and set off.
Liu Ke-xiang and Wang Hao-yi guide you on a bus tour of Greater Tainan
To help tourists in Tainan better understand the city’s bus services and transfer systems, the government has launched a themed promotional brochure for the main bus lines. The brochure was created with site visits and compilations by celebrities such as Liu Ke-xiang, introducing the local specialties and attractions of various parts of Tainan. Through the written content, readers can learn about the unique features of each main line.
Wuling Cherry Blossom Season Suite Flash Sale — Vacancies Available as Early as 1 Week, Wooden Cabins on Sale in December
The cherry blossom season at Wuling Farm will kick off next February, with room bookings for the flower season opening on the 11th. Popular time slots were “snapped up instantly,” and all rooms are currently fully booked. However, the operator stated that they are currently reviewing booking statuses, and vacancies may become available as early as one week later in cases of cancellations or unpaid deposits. Booking for the campsite and scenic cabins will also open starting December 1st, so the public should be ready to “book promptly.”
The "Metropolis Star" hits the road: Direct bus from Taipei to Su'ao without transfers
Good news for commuters between Taipei and Yilan ! The "Metropolis Star," jointly operated by Greater Taipei Bus and Taipei Bus, has officially entered the National Freeway 5 market starting today. Passengers can now travel directly from Dapinglin in Xindian to Su'ao without the hassle of transferring buses. Three stops have been set up in Luodong, Yilan, and the operator has specifically imported 39 new buses for this service. Additionally, two buses equipped with barrier-free lifting devices have been purchased to accommodate passengers with disabilities.
Started as a street vendor, Ah Shui’s Pig Trotters Have a “Divine Taste” – Even the Little Tigers Loved Them
Located in Taipei’s East District, “Ah Shui’s King of Pig Trotters” originated in Taichung. Even as the second branch in Taipei, its reputation remains stellar. The amber-hued pig trotters were once the favorite of pop stars like the Little Tigers and Yang Fan during the heyday of the Empire Grand Theater.
Traditional Chinese medicine cabinets turned coffee cup shelves? Debut Café presents diverse creativity
The naming of Debut Café Taipei indicates there are at least two Debut Cafés. In addition to the original flagship store near the Keelung District Court, there was also the "Far Far Away Elementary School" branch in the Ali Mountain Art Zone in Shimen District, New Taipei City—a collaboration with a ceramic artist that became extremely popular, often fully booked on weekends. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after this partnership ended, the café relocated to downtown Taipei to continue serving everyone.
TransAsia Airways and Google Launch New Service: Instant Flight Information at Your Fingertips
In this smartphone-dominated era, searching for information is no longer restricted by time or place — just a simple swipe down while looking down at your phone gets you the info you need. Recognizing the business opportunities presented by the “swipe generation,” TransAsia Airways has partnered with Google starting today. Passengers who book flights with TransAsia can now check real-time flight information via Google Now.
United Airlines March 103, 2014 Taipei–San Francisco direct flights Launch promotional fare starting from NT$21,000
On the 14th, United Airlines announced the official launch of its Taipei–San Francisco direct flight route on March 31, 2014, offering promotional fares and double mileage bonuses through the MileagePlus frequent flyer program. The airline has also released its launch promotional prices—economy class round-trip tickets start from NT$21,000, and business/first class round-trip tickets start from NT$76,700 (all prices exclude taxes).
Enjoy a top-tier cruise experience！ Star Cruises’ “SuperStar Virgo” will visit Taiwan next year
Star Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise company, announced that starting April 2014, it will deploy Asia’s largest cruise ship in its fleet, the “SuperStar Virgo,” departing from Hong Kong to visit destinations such as Taiwan, Sanya on Hainan Island, and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam for a six-month Asian cruise.
Spring Airlines' low-cost December "Pudong–Taoyuan" direct flights; one-way untaxed fares start as low as 965 RMB
The Chinese low-cost airline "Spring," which entered the cross-strait air travel market at the end of October, has announced the addition of a new direct route between the two sides after launching services on the Kaohsiung–Shanghai route. Starting December 1, the new "Taoyuan–Shanghai Pudong" route will be added, with one-way untaxed ticket prices offered at just around one thousand RMB.
Riding the trend: The Shilin Official Residence Chrysanthemum Exhibition features a yellow rubber duck made from 2,400 chrysanthemums
One of Taipei City’s four major flower exhibitions, the annual “Unparalleled Chrysanthemum World” at the Shilin Official Residence, will take place from November 17 to December 1. This year’s exhibition specially crafts a 200 cm long and 150 cm tall yellow rubber duck using 2,400 chrysanthemums; additionally, rainbow chrysanthemums and a 5-meter-tall king dahlia will make their debut.
Rich Mediterranean vibe: Hualien Fisheries Venue grandly opens on the 16th
Feel like you're in Europe? The Hualien multifunctional fisheries venue, with its strong Mediterranean flair, will open on the 16th. Designed with European-style architecture reminiscent of the Mediterranean, the venue not only features charming European design, but also boasts stunning eastern scenery that feels like a fairyland. Visitors can take in the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean, Central Mountain Range, and Qingshui Cliffs, and even bike to Qixingtan to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.