Mushroom God Enters Lugu Valley: Tourism and Dining Shine Together
Asia's tallest outdoor spiral slide is in Taipei!Netizen Pei Yuxiang shared a video of the "16-meter-tall three-dimensional spiral slide" located at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Xinyi on the Facebook group "Travel Is So Much Fun!" The addition of the spiral slide has brought an exciting new attraction to this bustling shopping district. As of now (12/17), it is in trial operation, and it will officially open on December 22.
Although it’s a beautiful misunderstanding that some scenes in the renowned Studio Ghibli film *Spirited Away* were inspired by Jiufen, the town’s distinctive landscape, old street charm, and teahouses with a Japanese architectural flair continue to attract many Japanese visitors. Among these, Shuqi Road, lined with numerous scenic teahouses, is a must-visit spot for Japanese tourists coming to Taiwan.
Recently, a Taiwan-based travel agency launched what it claims to be the island’s first “Dark Tokyo Photography Tour,” promoting the opportunity to witness live Japanese AV shoots, participate in AV idol photo sessions, cosplay events, and shop for related merchandise. Featured talents include Anri Okita, Riri Kuribayashi, and Yua Aida. Within just a few days of its launch, the tour went viral online, causing the travel agency’s website to crash under the flood of visitors.
The Yellow Rubber Duck will make its way into Keelung in December, and Taiwan Railways’ first-generation self-propelled train will make a comeback for the duck, with a special Yellow Rubber Duck headboard attached to the front, transforming it into the “Yellow Rubber Duck Special Train.” Starting December 1, it will run on the Shulin–Keelung route, with four daily services, gearing up for the arrival of the Keelung Duck on December 21.
This time, being invited to experience the autumn crab feast and returning to Qǐngkèlóu actually felt quite heartwarming to me. Aside from Chef A-Qīng’s exquisite and delicious Taiwanese cuisine, the restaurant also offers specialty dishes from all over China, including Sichuan, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. On another note, Qǐngkèlóu was also where I first connected with the Sheraton team. Through an event, I met many new friends, and of course, I have to thank my friend Ellen for the introduction and the Sheraton team for their help!
With her hot figure, Tingting not only won first place in the "2013 ETtoday New Gods of Gaming Assassin Group" but is also now a member of the Xiangyang Girls Cheer Squad. Serving as a sign-holding girl for the New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town this time, Tingting found the most fun part to be wearing Christmas costumes on the MRT and interacting with the public along the way.
Originating from Kinmen, fried instant noodles have made “Da Wang Canteen” claim the title of Taipei’s first fried instant noodle eatery. The deliciousness comes partly from the aroma of the seasoning packet, and partly from the bold stir-frying over high heat with a variety of toppings that give the noodles unique flavors. Our lunch columnist highly recommends the “Kimchi, Century Egg, and Stinky Tofu Fried Instant Noodles,” which boasts a rich aroma and layered taste—perfect for those who love bold flavors.
New Taipei City boasts a coastline stretching 126 kilometers from the northern coast to the northeast coast, with hundreds of seafood restaurants along its various fishing harbors. The New Taipei City Government has collaborated with restaurants at Yehliu Fishing Port and Fugui Fishing Port, working with the 7-ELEVEN ibon channel to launch a limited offer of 102 premium seafood meal sets. Originally priced at NT$3,000, these special set menus are now available at a 34% discount — just NT$1,999.
Many people traveling abroad prefer to take taxis to their destinations for comfort, even if it means spending a bit more. However, issues such as overcharging, price gouging, and even crimes often arise in many countries due to unfamiliar surroundings and language barriers. To address these problems and enhance the safety of tourists visiting Thailand, the Airport of Thailand (AOT) has, starting November 1, strengthened controls over taxis transporting passengers to and from Bangkok’s international airport.
Huh? Among the green desert plants, why are there colorful balloons? Dandelions? Aquatic plants? These surprising installations are actually made of "glass," designed by artist Dale Chihuly. These vibrant works are finally returning this fall to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, ready to take visitors on a "Botanical Garden Marvel Journey!"
The Taipei Expo Farmers' Market will be held from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on November 23rd to 24th, featuring bananas, oranges, and peanuts from Chiayi. Visitors can experience the fun of "picking bananas" and take part in entertaining games such as the "You Throw, I Catch Orange Contest." Additionally, the Agri-Lecture Hall will offer a variety of enriching courses including traditional pork floss, red bean love ball glutinous rice balls, and golden orange fruit platters... Those interested can join at the Long Corridor area of the Yuanshan venue in Taipei Expo Park.
With five seconds to go, New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu and Council Speaker Chen Hsing-chin pointed their star wands at Taiwan’s tallest Christmas tree in Civic Square. The lights instantly lit up, a teddy bear flew toward the tree with blessings, and Santa Claus climbed to the top, kicking off a 3-minute-and-55-second audiovisual light show. Twelve light poles in the square also changed colors in sync, heralding the opening of the 2013 New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town to welcome visitors.
Hong Kong’s WinterFest will kick off next Friday (November 29). At “Christmas Dreams Take Flight” in Statue Square, Central, instead of a traditional Christmas tree, the highlight is a modern, approximately 15-meter-tall giant dandelion art installation. The dandelion will light up every evening at 6 PM, accompanied by special lighting and music effects, allowing visitors to enjoy the festive blessings under this dazzlingly beautiful dandelion.
This year’s first snow on Yushan fell nearly a month earlier than last year (2012), and the second wave of auspicious snow arrived this morning (the 22nd). According to data from the Yushan North Peak Weather Station, the temperature on Yushan dropped to minus 1.5 degrees this morning, and then heavy snow began to fall around 7:30 a.m. This snowfall lasted longer than the initial snowfall in the previous two days, not stopping until around 10:30 a.m.
In addition to the world-renowned “Tales of a Gutsy Grandma from Saga,” Saga Prefecture is also home to many well-known specialties familiar to Taiwanese. The founders of confectionery giants Glico, Morinaga & Co., and Shinsei Seika all hail from Saga. Other familiar brands with local factories include Q.P. Curry Mayonnaise, Coca-Cola, Kyusyu Seiyaku, and Morinaga Confectionery. Saga is also famed for its Arita-yaki pottery, one of the most iconic traditional crafts. Additionally, the three major hot spring resorts — Shiota, Takeo, and Kutsu — are beloved by travelers.
As November draws to a close and chill sets in, Christmas is just around the corner. Not sure where to enjoy a festive meal? Five-star hotels are rolling out special Christmas offers and new dishes — featuring Canadian lobster, premium black truffles, and even Christmas dessert shops — all aimed at catching your eye.
The Taipei Metro Xinyi Line officially began operations on November 24. In tandem, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism simultaneously launched a brand-new tourist service center with an aesthetically designed and tactile appeal at Exit 5 of the “Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Station” on the Xinyi Line. The center offers professional and comprehensive tourism consultation services to both domestic and international travelers.
Taipei’s Da’an District Welcomes Another Charming New Brunch Spot: “Qingmu Chushih” Debuts Crispy Fried Soft-Shell Crab Dishes in October, Pairing Whole Crabs in Burgers and Over Risotto to Celebrate the Season of Plump Autumn Crabs
Taiwan’s “saltiest” Santa Claus debuts!! The Tourism Bureau of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal Area holds the “White Christmas” event annually. This year, a white Santa Claus made from coarse salt harvested from Beimen Jingzihjiao Salt Fields takes the stage first. The Santa climbs onto the roof of a restaurant, drawing full attention. At the end of December, for the third consecutive year, the event will also feature Taiwan’s saltiest Christmas tree, the “Salty Christmas Wonderland,” and a White Christmas street parade.