Travel
Ring in the New Year with a festive outing to three charming old streets in Pingxi, Houdong, and Jiufen
Where to go for a festive New Year outing? Visiting old streets is a popular choice for many travelers. Along the Pingxi Railway Line in New Taipei City, there are several well-known old streets, including Shiding, Houdong, and Pingxi, as well as the nostalgic mountain-town charm of Jiufen Old Street further afield. Among these, releasing wish lanterns in Pingxi is an unmissable Lunar New Year activity. Linking up these old streets makes for a fantastic one-day trip.
Travel News / Kinmen National Park Remains Open During Lunar New Year
Kinmen National Park will remain open during the Lunar New Year holiday. Apart from New Year’s Eve (January 30), when it will be closed for internal cleaning, the visitor center and all tourist service stations will continue to operate and provide services from the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (January 31 to February 4), allowing visitors to explore various attractions.
A citywide carnival of joy kicks off as the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival begins
The “2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival” kicked off today (28th). Unlike previous years, the lantern festival has moved to the city center’s commercial districts, featuring lantern displays along the way, an expanded area, and a duration of 27 days. The Love River fireworks, illuminated light sculptures, and floats all shine brightly over the harbor city, turning the entire metropolis into a joyful carnival. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu said that this year’s lantern festival offers the public a different experience, and she welcomes everyone to visit Kaohsiung during the Spring Festival to get close to the beauty of the harbor city.
Taipei City cinemas adjust prices and business hours during Spring Festival; be careful not to find them closed
As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism reminds the public that as some cinema operators have adjusted their business hours for the Spring Festival, those planning to watch movies during the break are advised to check the operating status of each cinema in advance on the Taipei Tourism website to avoid disappointment.
News Flash / Round-shaped sky lanterns make their debut at Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, soaring high with happiness
New Taipei City and Taipei City have jointly launched "Round" (a panda cub character) shaped sky lanterns at the "2014 New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival." On the evening of the 28th, the design of the "Round Sky Lantern" was unveiled for the first time, delighting the on-site crowd and adding an extra dose of "cute charm" to this year’s festival.
Travel News / Dynamic Crowd Control of Up to 3,000 People at Taipingshan Recreation Area During Chinese New Year
To maintain recreational quality and protect the natural ecological environment, the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area will implement “dynamic” crowd control limiting total visitors to a maximum of 3,000 people during the Chinese New Year holiday from the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (January 31 to February 5, 2014). The entrance to the Cui Feng Lake scenic road will also undergo dynamic vehicle control, allowing up to 300 small vehicles.
The Yuanshan "Robot" Lantern Festival is full of creativity: A 4.5-meter-tall robot lantern can even change facial expressions
If you're tired of seeing lanterns themed around the zodiac animal of the year or traditional lantern designs during festive light displays, the Yuanshan Lantern Festival in Yilan County might offer you a refreshing new visual experience. This long-running event has this year adopted a "robot" theme, featuring not only a nearly 5-meter-tall giant red robot as the main lantern but also more than 300 handcrafted small lanterns made by local children—adorable and imaginative alike.
Hsinchu City Zoo pioneers app-based guided tours to enhance your zoo experience
Where to go during the six-day Lunar New Year holiday? If you’d rather avoid traffic jams on long trips or crowds at amusement parks, consider visiting Taiwan’s first zoo with smart guidance via APP and NFC (near-field communication) technology — Hsinchu City Zoo — for a journey that’s both smart and rich in knowledge and emotion.
"What’s most beautiful here is the warmth of the people" – Yunlin County unveils a travel book sharing its hidden gems
With the lively Yunlin Agricultural Expo in full swing, visiting Yunlin during the Year of the Horse will be even more fun. The Yunlin County Government has gathered “over 160” insider tips on the best local food, drinks, and activities across the county’s streets and alleys, making it even more enjoyable to explore Yunlin this Lunar New Year. Today (28th), they held a press launch for their new travel guidebook 《Yunlin Golden Travel King》. Led by Yunlin County Magistrate Su Chih-fen, the team traveled to Taipei to recommend must-visit spots and must-try foods in Yunlin.
Boasting “top-tier luxury” Mandarin Oriental, Taipei announces spring opening
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei (Mandarin Oriental, Taipei) announced earlier today (28th) that it is expected to officially commence operations this spring, promising top-tier luxury services that will set a new benchmark in the hospitality industry.
Travel News / Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Service During Lunar New Year / Hsinchu Lion Mountain Line Runs Every 30 Minutes
To alleviate the tourist crowds on Provincial Highway 3 during the Lunar New Year holiday, Hsinchu County Government has arranged for the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Lion Mountain Line” to operate on holiday schedules from New Year’s Eve (January 30) to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 4), with services running every 30 minutes. The public is encouraged to make use of this service.
Six Flags Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary with Multiple Discounts and New Attractions All Year Long Starting from the Spring Festival
Located in Guanxi, Hsinchu, Six Flags Theme Park — the oldest amusement park brand in Taiwan — is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Going all out, the park has invested tens of millions to launch an entire year’s worth of special events under the grand “35th Anniversary Colorful Year Carnival Celebration,” aiming to party and celebrate with everyone.
Rub its head and you’ll never worry in this lifetime — the dragon turtle you must touch on your coastal Shandong trip
In coastal cities of Yantai and Weihai in Shandong, there are many legends about the Dragon King. Turtles and dragon turtles are commonly seen as “mounts of the sea deities.” Among them, there is a giant dragon turtle outside the Temple of Goddess Guo at Xianggu Ding in Weihai, which is a “must-touch” talisman for visitors. Staff at the temple say, “Rub its head and you’ll never worry in this lifetime; rub its back and you’ll never be tired in this lifetime; rub its tail and you’ll never regret in this lifetime.” It’s incredibly magical — you simply must touch it.
Get Discounts Even If You're Not Surnamed Chen – Laochen Cold Noodles Linsen Branch Grand Opening, Buy One Get One Free for Just 2 Days
To celebrate the opening of Laochen Cold Noodles Lehua Flagship Store, they launched a promotion where anyone surnamed “Chen” can enjoy free cold noodles. This instantly attracted netizens to flood the fan page with comments and tag their Chen-surnamed friends. However, those not surnamed Chen shouldn’t be disappointed—Laochen Cold Noodles has prepared a special offer. The Laochen Cold Noodles Linsen Branch is opening ahead of schedule, offering a buy one get one free deal on December 15 and 16.
Seeking health? Career success? Taipei's top 5 walking pilgrimage routes have you covered
New Year’s here！During the Lunar New Year period, many people take time out to visit temples to pray for blessings, hoping for peace and smooth sailing in the coming year. In response to this traditional custom, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs has planned five walking pilgrimage routes. These not only offer prayers for safety but also provide a cultural and religious journey through historical landmarks.
Traveling with Mom and Baby / Packing Tips for Family Trips
This year’s Spring Festival holiday is shorter than last year’s, but many parents are already gearing up to take their kids out. Before embarking on a fun trip, it’s essential to pack everything you need—otherwise, you might find yourself unprepared when your baby has an urgent need while you’re away from home.
Slow travel is in vogue—take a spring stroll in Jeju!
When traveling in Jeju Island, South Korea, “Olle” is probably the most frequently heard word. In the Jeju dialect, “Olle (오래)” refers to the narrow alleys and lanes that lead from the main road to one’s doorstep. It’s not only a pathway connecting hidden homes to open spaces but also a road leading to a broader world. If you connect all these “Olles,” it means Jeju is connected to every corner of the world.
Top 100 Global City Destinations: Taipei Beats Tokyo to Rank 18th
Euromonitor International, an influential and authoritative market research firm established in 1972, released its latest "Top 100 City Destinations Ranking" on January 27 this year. The results show Taipei ranking 18th, ahead of cities such as Tokyo, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Las Vegas, and Beijing — a three-place improvement from last year’s 21st position.
The Douliu Night Market is huge, cheap, and offers an incredibly diverse selection—plus there are plenty of popular stalls with long lines.
Yunlin’s Douliu is honestly the best night market I’ve ever visited in my life so far!! Of course, aside from being massive, the most important thing is that it’s super affordable, has an amazing variety, and nothing feels too repetitive. I think it’s even better than the Garden Night Market and way cheaper. The food is also top-notch—so many stalls have long lines of people waiting to eat!! Wish we had skipped two meals before coming here~ XD
Travel News / Japan-Certified Overseas "Cherry Blossom Spot" – The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cherry Blossom Festival Begins
Cherry blossoms are blooming all over Taiwan, and the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off on January 31. Most notably, it is the only overseas location certified by Japan as an official "cherry blossom viewing spot." Visitors can enjoy over 5,000 blooming cherry trees during the day, and also experience the unique "night cherry blossoms," featuring a spectacular light and music show.