Travel
The Happy Christmas Town adds another market – New Taipei City’s Christmas Market opens on the 29th
New Taipei City’s Happy Christmas Town is getting another Christmas market! The Civic Square will transform into a festive Christmas market from the 29th to December 1st, featuring 120 stalls. There will also be daily limited-time giveaways, one-dollar auctions, and other promotional deals. The market will be divided into three major themed areas: specialty shopping streets, tourist factories, and New Taipei gifts. Plus, spend NT$500 in a single day and you can receive a “Limited Edition New Taipei Christmas Bottle & Clothes Set.”
60 classic Japanese cars showcase their enduring charm as a 28-day island-wide rally kicks off
The renowned Japanese classic car event organizer “RALLY NIPPON” will launch the “RALLY NIPPON Gratitude Taiwan” classic car rally starting tomorrow (28th), with 60 vintage cars averaging over 60 years of age having already arrived in Taiwan. At a press conference held in front of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications yesterday (26th), Tourism Bureau Director-General Xie Weijun presented symbolic safety amulets, wishing all participating vehicles a safe journey throughout the event.
A green glow in the dark—Kenting’s tiny mushrooms are a stunning sight
A green glow in the dark！Recently, a new species of bioluminescent mushroom was discovered in Kenting National Park, which naturally emits a green light in the dark. After comparing its appearance and DNA, it was confirmed to be a new species and named “Kenting Mushroom” (Mycena Kentingensis). It is currently mostly found in Kenting’s Sheding Nature Park, but the mushrooms are quite small, so visitors will need to keep their eyes peeled to spot them.
A Dreamlike Glowing Christmas Chapel Made from 5,000 Bottle Caps
This dreamy snow-white chapel is actually made from 5,000 plastic bottles. To create a unique Christmas atmosphere, the Tainan Taiwan Sugar Evergreen Hotel recycled over 5,000 plastic bottles to build an “eco-friendly Christmas chapel,” which was placed in the hotel lobby. Most notably, the management also held a “lighting ceremony,” where the chapel shone even more brilliantly under flickering LED lights, attracting many visitors to stop and take photos.
Embark on a journey to the Western Regions, traversing thousands of miles — Xinjiang in the transition between autumn and winter exudes a unique desolate beauty.
Xinjiang, referred to as the "Western Regions" from the Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, is extensively documented in the "Great Tang Records of the Western Regions" for its diverse cultures, languages, and customs of the time. Having only read about Xinjiang in books, I never imagined I would one day set foot on this land. Though southern Xinjiang in the autumn-winter season isn’t as stunning as in summer, the magnificent mountains and endless deserts along the way still leave a profound impression.
China Airlines launches its first flight from Taichung to Osaka today; enjoy special airfare deals before December 22
China Airlines has launched its inaugural flight from Taichung to Osaka today. To celebrate the occasion, the airline is offering a range of promotions for flights departing before December 22. The inaugural flight will also feature special Japanese in-flight meals such as Japanese-style Kyoto grilled fish rice and teriyaki chicken leg rice. Currently, there is one flight per day, five days a week, with plans to increase to daily flights depending on demand.
Hidden gem in Tamsui: Live and juicy "hairy crabs" freshly caught and served on the spot
This year, I couldn’t resist another crab-eating trip along the northern coast. Besides trying the Wanli crabs, I remembered reading on President Huang’s blog that he spoke highly of the hairy crabs from Jinshimen—especially now as the weather turns cooler and the roe becomes richer. That very afternoon, I called ahead to check. The farm is a bit off the beaten path, but there are signs along the way, so it’s actually quite easy to find.
Traveling abroad during Chinese New Year is expensive – Overview of price hikes for Europe, Asia, America, and Africa routes
The Republic of China Travel Quality Assurance Association announced on the 27th the reasonable prices for various travel routes from January to March 2014. Compared to the same period last year, popular routes during Chinese New Year have all seen price increases. The public should compare more options before traveling abroad to avoid being at a disadvantage.
The "Maple" Craze Isn't Over Yet – Osaka Castle and Expo Park Showcase the Last Burst of Deep Autumn's Vivid Red
Winter has arrived, but in Osaka, located in Japan’s Kansai region, the autumn foliage "maple" craze is just now at its peak. The historically significant Osaka Castle and Expo Park are being tinged with splashes of vivid red, as if lingering in the embrace of autumn.
Overseas travel during Chinese New Year sees sharp price hikes – Hokkaido tour packages up 30%, with costs reaching up to NT$80,000
The winter vacation and Chinese New Year travel peak are approaching. On the 27th, the Republic of China Travel Quality Assurance Association announced reference prices for tour packages from January to March 2014, including prices during the Lunar New Year period. Among them, prices for short-term trips to Southeast Asia, Japan, and other destinations during the holiday have risen, with the most popular luxury Hokkaido tours in Japan seeing the highest increase of up to 30%. However, prices in some regions have remained flat or even dropped, such as in Europe.
The new version of the Fulong Bento now features "Gongliao Abalone" – the 8-person share box is even better value!
The new version of the Fulong Bento now features "Gongliao Abalone" – the 8-person share box is even better value!
Utterly romantic: Hualien’s 13-kilometer “Red Maple Cycling Trail” is aglow in crimson, complete with an adorable ant nest café
A cold front sweeping across Taiwan has turned the sweet gums in the Danongdafu Plain Forest Park crimson, creating a romantic cycling boulevard. Ride through the forest and enjoy the stunning red foliage scenery — no need to venture deep into the mountains to witness fall colors. The Hualien Forest District Office says that the best time to view the foliage runs from now until the end of December.
The ceiling of Sydney's Wynyard Station features "escalators" — not just decor, but a memory!
What does it feel like when you're on an escalator and look up to see another one above your head!? Sydney Station has recently unveiled a very unique installation, with some even saying it makes them feel like they're in the world of Harry Potter. This structure, made up of 20 escalators, is currently on display at Wynyard Station and is called Interloop.
North Coast Seafood Rush Heats Up！ "8-Person Version of Fulong Gongliao Abalone Bento" Is Super Value
North Coast Seafood Rush Heats Up！ "8-Person Version of Fulong Gongliao Abalone Bento" Is Super Value
Shake off the "urban" dust & embark on a rainbow brick journey in Yilan
Today’s rainbow brick hunt begins at the Yilan County Social Welfare Building. Notice how this slightly odd-looking structure resembles the Jiaoxi Township Office? After visiting, be sure to walk along the building—specifically the pedestrian overpass on the right side of the photo.
Vanilla Air launches a limited-time Taipei-Tokyo one-way ticket sale for just NT$388 starting December 4
Japan’s Vanilla Air announced on November 28 that it will officially begin selling winter flight tickets in Taiwan starting at 14:00 on December 4, with flights commencing on December 20. To celebrate the launch in Taiwan, the airline is also offering a special limited-time promotion called “Heartbeat Vanilla,” featuring Taipei–Tokyo one-way tickets for a special price of NT$388 (tax excluded). The sale runs from 14:00 on December 4 to 13:59 on December 5.
Dubai wins bid to host Expo 2020 — schools declare holiday to celebrate!
After a series of intense rounds of voting, the host city for Expo 2020 has been officially awarded to Dubai. On the 27th, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), following its final vote in Paris, announced that "the Pearl of the Middle East" — Dubai — secured support from 116 countries, defeating Brazil, Russia, and Turkey to win the right to host Expo 2020.
Explore the Xinyi Line & Discover Its Cultural Architecture — Tourism Bureau Launches Weekend Guided Tours
Taipei Metro’s “most luxurious” line — the Xinyi Line — officially opened on the 24th of this month. To coincide with the opening, the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism will host the “Strolling Through Xinyi – Weekend Regular Guided Tours” every weekend from November 30 to December 29. With detailed introductions by professional guides, travelers from all over can experience the area’s sightseeing highlights, public art, and architectural aesthetics firsthand.
Invisible House Appears in the California Desert at Joshua Tree Park: Transparent by Day, Colorful by Night
We’ve seen glass houses and crystal homes, but have you ever seen a “see-through” house? Artist Phillip K. Smith III unveiled his latest creation—Lucid Stead—in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. By combining mirrors, natural light, custom electronic equipment, and a 70-year-old wooden cabin, he has crafted a structure in the desert that reveals only parts of its framework, giving off an ethereal, floating, suspended, and nearly invisible feel.
Domestic triathlon makes history as cyclists ride on highways
The LAVA Triathlon Series Pingtung Dapeng Bay leg will kick off at 7:00 AM on December 8th at the Dapeng Bay International Leisure Zone, attracting 1,648 athletes from 17 countries around the globe. For the first time ever, a triathlon event has been integrated with a motorsports theme — not only are the cycling course and transition area set within the Dapeng Bay Racing Circuit, but both directions of the national highway have also been closed to traffic, allowing participants to cycle on the race track and even speed onto the highway. This marks a major innovation in domestic triathlon competitions.