Travel
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Taroko Line” to Cease Operations from New Year’s Day 2014
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes cover the entire island and have gradually become an essential mode of transportation for travelers since their launch in 2010. However, starting from New Year’s Day 2014, the “Taroko Line” to Taroko will be discontinued. In the future, those wishing to visit Taroko National Park will need to inquire with Hualien Bus.
The repaired Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck will bear a scar Huang Jing-tai: It better showcases the Taiwanese spirit
The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck burst open from its “temple” on the last day of 2013, turning into a mass of yellow rubber like a duck yolk, startling people across Taiwan. But just three days later, Keelung City Council Speaker Huang Jing-tai immediately announced that “the little duck has come back to life,” and this afternoon (2nd), the duck underwent inflation work, making it arguably the “most legendary Yellow Rubber Duck in history.”
The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck Makes a Quick "Comeback" – Testing to Be Conducted on the Afternoon of the 2nd
The Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck can be called the "most legendary duck" in Taiwan. First, it suddenly "died" on the last day of 2013. Originally, Keelung City Council Speaker Huang Jing-tai had stated that he would ask the next stop's "Southeast Duck" to make an early cross-strait appearance, but later said the Keelung Duck had made a quick comeback. On the 2nd, Huang Jing-tai once again stated that the Keelung Yellow Rubber Duck would undergo related testing in the afternoon. Whether the "scar" on the right side of the duck’s face could regain its former appearance was highly anticipated.
New Taipei’s first YouBike station opens in Xindian’s Dapeng Huacheng — just 10 minutes to Jimei Station
The long-debated integration of the public bicycle systems between Taipei and New Taipei finally took a major step forward as 2014 approached. Before the end of 2013, Taipei’s YouBike system set up its first station in New Taipei at the entrance of Dapeng Huacheng community in Xindian, officially launching on New Year’s Day.
The plum blossom forest at Qilan Villa resembles a snowy wonderland, drawing visitors from far and wide
No bitter cold, no sweet fragrance. Winter is the season of plum blossoms. Starting in December, plum trees across Taiwan begin to bloom one after another. At Qilan Villa in Makau Ecological Park, the plum blossoms also start flowering around mid-December. Currently, about 50% of the blossoms have opened, creating a plum blossom forest that looks like a snow-covered landscape, attracting many visitors who come specifically for the sight.
Kenting Sheding Park boasts rich biodiversity, with lively summer nights
When it comes to the night guided tours at Sheding Park, the main draw in summer is the chance to see the rare “bioluminescent mushrooms” found nowhere else in Taiwan. As Sheding Park is an ecological reserve, prior application is required. Visitors planning to join are reminded to download the registration form from the official website in advance and submit it. The day-and-night guided tour programs of Kenting’s Sheding Tribe are guided by the principle of “Sheding values traditional culture and revives tribal heritage.”
Up Close with Animals: Shoushan Zoo Adds Skywalk & Big Cats Corridor
Get up close with lions and see birds flying overhead—Kaohsiung’s Shoushan Zoo has added new facilities such as a skywalk and a big cats corridor, making it Taiwan’s first zoo offering ultra-close animal interactions. Visitors can gain an in-depth look at the lives of lions, birds, peacocks, and pheasants.
First working day of the year — missing that sunrise in Matsu...
Still basking in the joy of New Year’s Eve and welcoming the new year on your first workday? Bid farewell to the heavy clouds of the past year — this year’s sunrise on the main island was spectacular, and the outlying islands were even more beautiful. The Matsu Scenic Area Administration held the “2014 Dongju Lighthouse Sunrise Welcoming Event” at the Dongju Lighthouse, with a total of 250 locals and tourists participating. The lively scene, paired with the bright white lighthouse and azure sky, made the photos sent from the Matsu Administration truly breathtaking.
Authentic Yellow Rubber Duck Chain Explosions: Douliu’s “Knockoff Duck” Survives Over 3 Months, Quite a Stayer
Are Taiwan’s yellow rubber ducks not acclimated to the northern climate? After the “Taoyuan Duck” popped, the Keelung Duck—which had confidently declared before the exhibition, “It definitely won’t pop!”—also met its explosive fate, “dying suddenly” after just over 10 days on display. Compared to the fragility of the “official” duck, many locally-spawned “knockoff versions” across Taiwan have proven remarkably resilient. One such “knockoff duck” in Yunlin County has survived for more than three months already!
The Grand Mayfull Hotel teams up with Edge Works to host a Christmas Carnival, featuring nearly 30 booths
The Grand Mayfull Hotel in Taipei has collaborated with “Edge Works” to hold the “Mayfull Christmas Carnival – Edge People’s Market” on December 23. From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the event will take place at the plaza behind the hotel, where nearly 30 booths will be set up, offering a wide range of handmade goods and fashion accessories for visitors to explore. Additionally, Banqiao’s Big City Department Store is bringing a touch of European flair, hosting a German Christmas Market from December 14 to 25 in partnership with the German Economic Office.
Explore attractions with your heart – Embark on a literary youth journey in Kaohsiung to experience local art
There’s more to Kaohsiung than night markets and harbor views – there are plenty of artistic attractions to explore with your heart. The Kaohsiung City Government recently launched the “Kaohsiung Literary Youth Journey,” hoping that modern literary youths from across Taiwan can visit local sights such as the Kaohsiung Lighthouse, Pier-2 Art Center, and the Yuedi World to enjoy an intellectually enriching trip to Kaohsiung.
Enjoy a meal in a 17th-century fortress — The elegant and retro La Paloma Restaurant in Macau
Led by a colleague from a Hong Kong boutique brand, I arrived at La Paloma (La Paloma), located on the first floor of the Santiago Fort Hotel. At first glance, the place gave me the vibe of a historic site, and I couldn’t quite grasp how special it was. But after asking the staff a bit, I discovered that this Spanish restaurant was actually built within a 17th-century fort — yes, it was really a fortress...
The 8 millionth visitor to Taiwan receives a colorful celebration: "I will widely promote Taiwan's tourism"
On January 2, the 8 millionth visitor to Taiwan in 2013 and her husband received commemorative gifts from Taiwan. These included gifts with Taiwanese significance presented by Premier Jiang Yi-huah, Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih, and Tourism Bureau Director-General Janice Lai. The tourism industry also offered congratulatory presents. The honoree expressed deep emotion and gratitude, stating that choosing Taiwan for her honeymoon was the right decision and an unforgettable experience.
The yellow duck makes a comeback in Keelung Harbor "post-surgery" shows no obvious "scars"
The yellow duck in Keelung that burst recently has been repaired and tested. Since the "surgery" was performed internally, there are no obvious "scars" on the "post-op" yellow duck. It was launched back into Keelung Harbor early on the 3rd, just in time for the weekend. Keelung Harbor is expected to see another wave of duck-spotters, and local street vendors can finally breathe a sigh of relief!
News / 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival – Adorable "Super Cute Horse" Lantern Unveiled
The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival will kick off at 7 p.m. on February 14 in Nantou, and the small shaped lantern — "Super Cute Horse" — was also unveiled on January 3. The designer of the Super Cute Horse said that as the festival is being held in the scenic area of Nantou, elements such as blue skies, white clouds, and rainbows were specially incorporated into the design.
Lunch for Foodies / Taiwan’s Only Authentic Moroccan Cuisine – Tagine Steams Ingredients to Preserve Their Natural Flavors
Want to experience the romantic North African Moroccan cuisine just like Carrie Bradshaw did?
Maple Leaf Appreciation Trip in Xiulan: Beautiful Campsite Scenery & a Fairytale-like Shilei Tribe
On a holiday morning, rain drizzled in Neiwan. I couldn’t help but wonder—hadn’t the weather forecast said it would clear up? Even if it stayed cloudy, I’d still be grateful. The journey wasn’t exactly close by, but it was all for the sake of meeting the maple trees… Passing through Jianshi, Yulao, and Xiulan, we were getting farther and farther from civilization. That distant Black Tribe had been on my wishlist, but now it’s collecting dust due to the rain.
Making a video to promote Taiwan tourism — Goodwill Ambassador Yang Dai-kang: Even when he gets a strikeout, his wife still applauds
Yang Dai-kang, serving as Taiwan’s Tourism Goodwill Ambassador, recently took time out to return to Taiwan to film a promotional video for Taiwanese tourism. According to the Tourism Bureau, in addition to using the video to promote tourism in Taiwan, Yang also kept up the humor during filming, fully showcasing his unique comedic personality and keeping the set in fits of laughter.
Travel Japan Following the Guinness World Records: The World’s Narrowest Strait Is Less Than 10 Meters Wide
Japan is not only home to numerous landscapes and historical sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but also many attractions overlooked by travelers yet listed in the “Guinness World Records.” With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, why not visit and explore these unique spots?
CNN Ranks the 12 Worst Behaviors on a Plane — Kicking the Back of Seats Is Annoying
With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, in addition to returning home to visit family, many people also take this time to plan an overseas trip to relax and recharge. But just as you’re imagining a wonderful journey, some annoying situations might ruin your fantasy during the flight. CNN asked netizens, "What’s the most annoying thing someone can do on a plane?" and selected the 12 most commonly cited behaviors from over 1,900 responses.