Travel
Rest and Recovery: Yushan National Park Enters Quiet Mountain Period in February 2014
Attention hikers planning to apply for entry into the Yushan mountain area next year (2014)! To allow the park’s ecosystem to rest and recover, and to reduce the impact of human activities on the natural environment, Yushan National Park will implement a one-month quiet mountain period starting February 1 of next year. During this time, all entry activities on the Yushan Main Peak and Cluster Peaks routes will be suspended.
Admire the crimson leaves and enjoy the scenic beauty — The Taoyuan Shimen Tourism Festival kicks off in December
The 2013 Maple Shimen – Taoyuan Shimen Tourism Festival series of events will launch on December 7, featuring the inaugural Strive-Upward Bicycle Carnival, stage performances on the dam top, the grand opening of the Longmen Tea House with complimentary guided tours, and more. Among them, the newly launched bicycle carnival allows participants to cruise along a roughly 2-kilometer cycling path through maple forests and take in the stunning views of Shimen, including a section with an almost 30% gradient — offering not just a visual treat but also a unique experience of striving upstream like a fish.
Snow Mountain National Park to Implement Porters' Accommodation Zone Starting December
To protect the rights of "porters" who work tirelessly to assist hikers in completing their mountain climbs, the management office of Snow Mountain National Park will designate a "Porters' Accommodation Zone" in two of its mountain lodges starting December 1, allowing these hardworking individuals to get adequate rest after their strenuous efforts.
The first street food stall in the eastern district! Grandma’s Oden has been serving up "Mom's flavor" for 35 years
This “Grandma’s Oden” at the Taipei Metro Sun Yat-sen Memorial Station is said to have started as the first street food stall in the eastern district. Its protagonist, Grandma Chen, pushed her street cart for 20 years before finally opening this storefront. Thanks to its “Mom’s flavor,” even after settling into the alleys of Guangfu South Road, it still attracts many loyal customers and is loved by nearby office workers.
Beitou Hot Spring Tofu Foam Series Products – Enjoy the Joy of Soaking at Home
Related businesses and associations in the Beitou Hot Spring area have developed the "Tofu Foam Bath Series" using natural methods. Additionally, they have leveraged local ingredients, various festivals, and hot spring soaking scenarios to create creative products such as "cultural and creative souvenirs, local delicacies, and interactive experiences." In addition to creative items like the "Hot Spring Charm Amulet," there are also hot spring packages for two or four people, tofu foam steamed buns, and other hot spring-themed treats, along with DIY activities like making bath bombs for home use.
A 400-Year-Old National Historic Site Altered Beyond Recognition: Penghu Tianhou Temple Looks Nothing Like Before After Renovation
How Absurd！A National First-Class Historic Site Turned Into a Greek Monument? The over 400-year-old Penghu Tianhou Temple, severely damaged over the years due to wind and rain erosion, began restoration work in 2011. However, Legislator Duan Yikang exposed yesterday (25th) that the temple was improperly restored—its original appearance so destroyed that even locals couldn’t recognize this centuries-old historic site, with some mocking it as “basically turned into a Greek Mediterranean-style temple.”
A fairyland on earth awaits at the frost-covered Rime Island in snowy Northeast China — one of China’s four must-see natural wonders!
"Rime" is one of China's four major natural landscapes, and if you want to see the most beautiful rime in China, you absolutely must visit Rime Island. Located in Jilin, China, Rime Island is a pristine white expanse in the Northeast. From December to February each year, trees along the Songhua River become thickly frosted, resembling ice and snow sculptures from afar. Because the formation of rime is highly dependent on weather conditions, this “luck-dependent” beauty becomes even more precious — a winter spectacle in Northeast China that you must see in your lifetime.
The first ray of dawn in 2014 lights up the sky — Here’s where to catch the earliest sunrise across Taiwan
After a night of celebration, sit back with a few friends and watch the dawn break as the first light of morning slowly rises in the east, gradually calming the excitement of the midnight festivities. ETtoday ETToday Travel Cloud has compiled a list of the best spots to witness the first ray of dawn in 2014 and the top five earliest sunrise locations across Taiwan, inviting readers to greet the new year’s morning light together in the cold winter.
The "Makinen Christmas Festival" in Pingtung is set to begin, featuring 3D landscape art creating a Rose Town
For the second consecutive year, Pingtung County Government has partnered with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Makinen to host the "Makinen Christmas Festival," transforming the village of Makinen in Wanluan Township, nestled at the foot of Dawu Mountain, into the most festive and heartwarming Christmas destination in Taiwan. This year’s festival will officially kick off with a lighting ceremony on November 30. For the first time, 3D landscape art installations will be introduced, alongside roses symbolizing Catholicism, allowing this century-old church—the oldest in the nation—to bloom with romantic artistic charm.
No more imitations this time ! A 100,000-turbine yellow duck spins on the grass, looking like an overseas flower-viewing scene.
Instead of mimicking the inflatable version of the yellow duck, Taiwanese businesses have come up with a new idea this time — assembling a “semi-three-dimensional” yellow duck made of 100,000 wind turbines in the suburbs of Keelung. When the wind blows across the green turf and through the blades of the yellow turbines, the entire hillside of turbines spins in unison, giving the illusion of a shimmering yellow duck flannel blanket lying on the ground, resembling a scene from abroad.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Spider-Man and Turkey Appear on NYC Streets
The highly anticipated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on November 28th this year. This 87-year-old tradition has long been one of the two major hallmarks of Thanksgiving in the U.S., alongside the turkey dinner, bringing the festive spirit to a climax. In addition to regular “balloon” stars such as Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, and Santa Claus… this year also welcomes new characters from How to Train Your Dragon, The Wizard of Oz, and Adventure Time, among others. With 1,200 dancers, 900 clowns, and 10 marching bands, the entire city of New York is sure to be buzzing with excitement.
Take tourists sightseeing！ Taiwan’s only “cat bus” makes its debut in Huwei, Yunlin
Taiwan’s only cat bus has made its debut in Dingxi, Huwei, Yunlin, Up！ Following the creation of a picture book park themed around “Cats on the Roof,” Dingxi has now introduced a cat bus, with its front designed in the cute shape of a cat. In the future, it is planned to be used as a tourist shuttle bus to take visitors on tours around Dingxi.
ETToday Travel Cloud reader survey concludes 10 lucky winners receive movie tickets
The “ETToday Travel Cloud Reader Survey” has now successfully concluded. Thank you to all readers for your valuable feedback. ETToday Travel Cloud will use your input to enhance and improve our news content, aiming to provide better quality for our loyal users. Among those who completed the questionnaire, we randomly selected 10 lucky winners who will each receive 2 movie tickets for "We Grew Up Like This". ETToday Travel Cloud will contact you by email shortly.
You can now use your 3C devices throughout the entire flight with 3C mode enabled – Hawaiian Airlines lifts restrictions on Taipei–Honolulu flights
Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaiian Airlines), which made its inaugural flight in Taiwan just this July, has announced that as long as your device is set to “Airplane Mode,” you can now use your personal phone or tablet on board during the entire U.S. domestic flight as well as during takeoff and landing on some international routes — including the Taipei–Honolulu flight.
Get ready to ring in 2014 with excitement: Taiwan’s New Year’s Eve fireworks shows go all out
With just 40 days left until 2014, Taiwan’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve fireworks displays are gearing up across the island, ready to ignite public enthusiasm with dazzling, spectacular shows. Taipei 101, Yunlin’s Janfusun Fancyworld, Kaohsiung’s Dream Mall, and E-DA World have all prepared high-caliber fireworks displays this year, inviting everyone to welcome the new year together.
Explore the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand – Why Does the Reclining Buddha Appear Pierced by Arrows?
What is the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand?! Let travel vlogger Guo Renrong tell you~ In northern Thailand, there’s a place known as the Golden Triangle, where a river separates three countries—as shown in the picture below: Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Lunch Diners / Exploring Golden India: A Mildly Tangy Curry That Evokes First Love
India brings to mind not only Bollywood films but also its world-renowned cuisine. In Taipei’s Yanji Street, there’s a restaurant even Indians praise—“Aaleja Indian Cuisine.” All its spices are imported from abroad, offering an authentic Middle Eastern flavor. Office workers can opt for the business lunch, where the “Mixed Vegetable Curry,” with its mildly tangy taste paired with onions and carrots, balances deliciousness and health.
Riverside Park Taipei 4 Bike hits the road – Experience the joy of cycling together
Riverside Park is a favorite among cycling enthusiasts. The Taipei City Water Resources Department announced that starting today, specific areas of Dajia Riverside Park will allow the use of tricycles and larger pedal vehicles. They have also introduced a Taipei 4 Bike rental service that accommodates up to four people. One model, the “Four-Seater Rickshaw,” lets riders face each other, offering a cozy, “you-and-me” cycling experience.
Shiny Eco-Friendly Giant Grouper Swims into the Yong'an Grouper Culture Festival
Kaohsiung's Yong'an District is famed for its grouper production. The annual Grouper Culture Festival kicks off on November 30, featuring not only delicious grouper feasts but also special eco-friendly initiatives this year. These include a thousand-person bike ride, in-depth tours, and a starry night gala. The district office has also crafted a large, shiny eco-friendly grouper installation art piece using recycled discarded CDs and wooden boards, painted and decorated. Many first-time visitors were amazed by its creativity.
Experience the Beauty of the City: Taipei Launches Guided Tours of Ximending, Dadaocheng, and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism will host three sessions of the “Taipei City Guided Tour Experience” on December 9, 10, and 11, 2013. Each session has 40 free spots available for online registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will not only visit attractions such as Ximending, Dadaocheng, and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park but also receive a complimentary copy of the “Taipei. More Than a Visit” souvenir notebook published by the department.