Travel
A Whirlwind Visit to Sanxing Township in Yilan: A Two-Story Wooden Horse Challenges Guinness World Records
Aside from its beautiful mountains and waters, Sanxing Township in Yilan now has a new highlight. A bright yellow wooden horse standing two stories tall has been erected in front of the Sanxing CPC gas station on Provincial Highway 7C, towering amidst stunning floral landscapes, charming enough to make passersby stop their cars to admire it.
Chinese New Year One-Day Tours in New Taipei City – 5 Must-Visit Themed Routes in Pingxi, Jiufen, and Temple Streets
With Chinese New Year approaching, have you planned your holiday itinerary yet? The New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau today (23rd) unveiled five recommended travel routes for the Lunar New Year. These routes not only span both Taipei and New Taipei City but also feature internationally renowned festive events, inviting travelers from around the world to welcome the Year of the Horse in New Taipei City.
The 60-Year-Old Corn Stall in Pingtung: Charcoal-Grilled with Family-Secret Sauce for an Authentic Flavor
Before leaving Chaozhou, we returned to the roundabout near the Sanshan King Temple where we had been during the day to buy our favorite grilled corn. Usually, we get our corn from the stand next to Chan-Kun, but this time we wanted to try another stall called JiaChuanXiang. This one has been highly recommended by many netizens, so we believe it’s definitely worth introducing.
Japan’s Second Estimated Cherry Blossom Bloom Wave: Fukuoka on March 19, Tokyo on March 25
As winter fades, Japan is about to enter cherry blossom season. The Japan Meteorological Corporation has released its second cherry blossom forecast, which is similar to the first. The first region to bloom, Fukuoka, will see its blossoms open on March 19—just one day later than the initial prediction. Osaka will bloom on March 26, Tokyo on March 25, and Sendai on April 10.
Champion of the Chef King Competition, Du Jiaying, Reveals Money-Saving Secrets for New Year’s Dishes and Dim Sum
As the Lunar New Year approaches, prices of festive ingredients and goods have risen by an average of 10–20%. How can you prepare New Year’s dishes while saving money? Chef Du Jiaying, who won the team championship at last year’s “World Chef King Taipei Competition,” has just published her new book “The Home-Style Flavor of Chinese Dim Sum,” sharing cost-saving secrets. She says, “Using just an electric rice cooker, small oven, or a frying pan, you can make at home radish cake and red bean sponge cake that rival those of five-star hotels — at just one-quarter of the price.”
Breaking News / TransAsia Airways' low-cost carrier named “V Air”
“Taiwan’s First Low-Cost Carrier – Name It Yourself” Naming Results Announced! The catchy “V Air” and “威航” have been selected as the winning names. TransAsia Airways stated that the original plan was to choose one set of matching Chinese and English names, but since the entries were so close in quality, the judging panel decided to award separate first prizes for the Chinese and English names. Both lucky winners will receive free flights on V Air for ten years.
Cherry blossoms begin to bloom — the Yangmingshan Flower Festival kicks off on January 29
The annual Yangmingshan Flower Festival is set to launch on January 29th. Thanks to the alternating effects of cold fronts and warm weather, various types of cherry blossoms are starting to bloom. There are over 3,200 cherry trees across the Yangmingshan area, including nearly 1,000 in Yangmingshan Park and 350 at the Flower Experimental Center on Yangde Boulevard, which will take turns blossoming.
A Little Travel Surprise in Japan: Freshly Ground Coffee from a Vending Machine
Friends who follow my Facebook page probably know that I planned a short trip to Japan’s Tohoku region during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Being my first time traveling abroad, I was naturally a bit nervous, so I opted to go through a travel agency to arrange the itinerary. I figured it was better to pay the “tuition” early on—after all, it was my first overseas trip, and I didn’t want minor hassles to spoil the experience.
Gods Walking on Fire, Brave Divers Jumping into the Sea — The Yehliu Gods’ Harbor Purification Festival Kicks Off on the Ninth Day
As famous as the “Northern Sky Lanterns and Southern Beehive Rockets” during the Lantern Festival, the “2014 Yehliu Gods’ Harbor Purification Cultural Festival” will be held from February 8 to 14 (the ninth to fifteenth days of the first lunar month), featuring a unique ritual where brave men carry the divine palanquin and leap into the sea. For the first time this year, the New Taipei City Government has recruited 103 brave divers to immerse themselves in the sea blessed by the gods. Registration is now open, and each diver will receive a “Brave Diver Certificate.”
Travel News / Crazy about the Panda Cub? Hotels Launch Panda-Themed Rooms & Super Cute Cupcakes
With winter vacation starting, it’s also a great time for family trips. In the north, the Taipei Zoo’s newly unveiled panda cub Yuan Zai is the hottest attraction, drawing travelers from all over Taiwan to see its adorable looks. Hotel operators have launched panda-themed rooms and Yuan Zai cupcakes to ride the “Yuan Zai wave” and attract guests.
The Kaohsiung Qishan Lantern Festival kicks off on the 25th — Taiwan’s largest 12-foot red lantern shines bright
This year, Kaohsiung City has transformed itself into one giant lantern festival, featuring no fewer than three major lantern displays across the city, each with its own unique charm. Leading the way is the “Qishan Lantern Festival,” which debuts on the 25th in Qishan District. The Qishan District Office has specially created a four-story-tall giant red lantern, which will be on display at Qishan Stadium during the festival period.
The enchanting "autumn foliage" scenery of Checheng Town—explore history while wandering leisurely
Coming to Checheng from Wusong] feels like stepping into another time and space—a nostalgic mountain town with the most pristine Japanese-style scenery, the beautiful Checheng Railway Station, and the evocative old street that gives those who grew up in the countryside a truly heartwarming sense of going back in time.
Kaohsiung Longcheng Park Opens, Creating a New Waterfront Green Corridor
Located at the intersection of Makadao Road and Hexi Road in Gushan District, Longcheng Park was officially opened today (24th). The park stretches 222 meters in length, covers a total area of 4,900 square meters, and cost NT$105 million to build. It will connect attractions such as the Art Museum, Neiwei Pi Cultural Area, Zhongdu Wetlands Park, Vision Bridge, and the historic Brick Kiln Factory, forming a waterfront green corridor that offers the public a relaxing leisure destination.
Colorful painted geese appear in front of Minxiong Railway Station to welcome Spring Festival travelers returning home
In the public art square in front of Minxiong Railway Station in Chiayi and the famous "Goose Meat Street," various goose statues dressed as scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants from different professions have now appeared. Chiayi County Magistrate Chang Hua-kuan and artist Lu Ming-shih led local students today to decorate these adorable geese, allowing returning travelers to be greeted by these energetic geese as soon as they step out of the station.
Travel News / Board the Ship to See the Little Yellow Duck – Free Boarding of COSCO STAR at Keelung Port on the 25th
Tired of viewing the little yellow duck from the front? Try seeing it from a different angle! On the 24th, the Keelung Harbor Branch announced that on the 25th, at Pier 3 East of Keelung Port, the “COSCO STAR” will once again be opened to the public, offering a limited quota of 1,000 people free access to tour the interior of the ship. Visitors can also enjoy a distant view of the adorable little yellow duck from the vessel.
Cherry Blossom Viewing and Forest Railway Rides on Alishan During Chinese New Year – 6 Must-Know Transportation Options
With Lunar New Year approaching, Alishan, a popular tourist destination, is expected to welcome a large influx of visitors. To prevent traffic congestion caused by the surge in tourists, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration has planned six major transportation measures for the holiday season and urges those planning to visit the mountain to take note.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised the travel alert for Ukraine to orange; travel should be avoided.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 24th that the conflict in Ukraine is showing signs of spreading. Starting today, the travel alert level for Ukraine has been raised to “orange,” advising the public to avoid traveling there unless absolutely necessary.
Where to go during the Spring Festival? A complete guide to 21 theme parks offering New Year promotions
The Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has gathered 21 theme parks across Taiwan to jointly launch special Chinese New Year offers (January 31 – February 4), where those born in the Year of the Horse can enjoy half-price admission (limited to 20 people per day). The bureau has also launched the “Half-Price Index” online challenge activity, where participants have the chance to win limited half-price discount coupons that allow 50% off ticket prices at designated theme parks. Participants can also enter a lucky draw with a top prize of a 60T LCD TV.
PK Yellow Rubber Duck: Jiuhuashan’s 18-Meter-Tall “Lucky Dog” to Ring in the New Year
While Keelung has the Yellow Rubber Duck, Yunlin has the “Big Lucky Dog”! Jiuhuashan World has created Taiwan’s only inflatable “Lucky Dog,” standing an impressive 18 meters tall—about the height of a six-story building—and just as adorable as the duck. In addition, the park has also produced 168 smaller 90-centimeter-tall Lucky Dogs, placed throughout the park, each with unique expressions and poses. With both big and little Lucky Dogs gathered together, the level of cuteness is off the charts.
Eight accidents in two months — Snow Mountain National Park enforces winter season controls
With successive cold fronts bringing frequent snowfall and snow accumulation in high-altitude areas, Snow Mountain National Park has reported eight accident incidents since December 2012. The park management announced that to prevent further mishaps, winter season entry controls will be implemented starting January 27. Hikers applying to enter the park must attach a “Snow Climbing Equipment Checklist,” and the operating hours of trailheads will be adjusted from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.