Travel
Soft and chewy meets sweet and delightful – First-ever “chocolate glutinous rice balls” to celebrate Lantern Festival + Valentine’s Day
As February 14th this year marks both the Lantern Festival and Western Valentine’s Day, various regions have launched celebration events that blend romance with traditional elements. Taipei’s “Daqiaotou Yansan Commercial District” not only offers seasonal glutinous rice balls but has also created “chocolate glutinous rice balls” drizzled with chocolate sauce, perfectly merging the two themes of “Lantern Festival + Valentine’s Day.” The district has also launched a limited-time glutinous rice ball promotion in conjunction with the Lantern Festival, allowing the public to purchase them to celebrate the holidays at home.
Yilan Toucheng's Mysterious "Golden Hot Spring" — Actually a Rare Deep Ocean Mineral Water
The "Golden Hot Spring" at Eastern Sea Ocean Hot Spring Hotel often carries an air of mystery, but few know that this golden hot spring is one of the world’s rare "deep ocean mineral waters." It is sourced from a hot spring drilled nearly 800 meters through solid rock, and due to its high iron content, it is also known as "Iron Spring," "Women’s Spring," and "Iron Spring."
A “Geological Match” – Yehliu and Japan’s Akiyoshidai National Park Become Sister Parks
Yehliu Geopark, a popular northern Taiwan tourist destination famed for its unique rock formation “The Queen’s Head,” will become sister parks with Japan’s Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, known for its distinctive limestone terrain and limestone caves, this Saturday (the 15th). A special 3D topography exhibition of Akiyoshidai will also be displayed on the second floor of the Yehliu Visitor Center, allowing visitors to explore the park’s rare limestone landscapes and the hidden world inside its limestone caves.
A Hidden Paradise Accessible Only by Bamboo Raft: Thailand’s Breathtaking Karst Caves
This time, Xiaosheng is introducing Tham Lod Cave in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand — one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in the region. While Thailand has many naturally formed caves, many others today are man-made to house Buddha statues. But Tham Lod Cave is entirely natural, and it’s one of the most worthwhile attractions in northern Thailand, in my opinion.
AirAsia Group establishes Thai AirAsia, with Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport as its base
The AirAsia Group recently announced that its subsidiary—Thai AirAsia X Co. Ltd. (abbreviated as TAAX)—officially received an Air Operator’s Certificate from Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation on February 3, 2014, and appointed Nadda Buranasiri as the new CEO of Thai AirAsia X.
Riding a White "Horse" Down the Streets – Chinese New Year in Paris’s Chinatown Is Wildly Festive!
On the first Sunday of February, the fashion capital of France, Paris, was "bustling with energy." The Marais district, Belleville district, and the southern part of the 13th arrondissement were alive with the sounds of drums and gongs, as dragon and lion dances weaved through the streets, accompanied by bursts of firecrackers and music, drawing many locals out to join the fun—perhaps to catch a glimpse of some "Peanuts magic"?
The Traditional Arts Center in Yilan is full of beautiful scenery—you could spend a whole day here and never get bored.
From the very beginning of the planning, step by step, I thought about how to enjoy Yilan in winter. I cut out the original plan to visit Nanfang’ao for the sea view and the lakeside café at Meihua Lake in Dongshan, making the itinerary one where you can stay in one place for a long, long time—no rushing, no speeding—because in winter, you really just want to travel slowly… like a “hibernation” kind of trip.
Yushan and Mount Fuji Become "Sister Mountains" — Japan Delegation to Visit Yushan in March
Taiwan’s highest peak — Yushan, and Japan’s highest mountain — Mount Fuji, officially signed a cooperation agreement on February 7 in Fujikawaguchiko City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, establishing them as “Sister Mountains.” Representatives from the Republic of China Mountain Association and the Japan Mount Fuji Association attended the ceremony.
Emirates Launches Direct Flights from Taipei to Dubai
The first direct flight connecting Taiwan and the Middle East: The Taipei–Dubai route, operated by Emirates, officially commenced service today (February 11). Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, said: “This new route not only significantly shortens the distance between the people of Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates, but also makes it much more convenient for Taiwanese travelers to transit through Dubai to reach destinations in the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.”
2014 Taiwan Tourism Festival – President Ma Ying-jeou: Taiwan Boasts “Four Beauties and One Health” Advantages
Taiwan’s tourism industry achieved remarkable success in 2013, whether it was the overall number of visitors exceeding 8 million, the single-month record of over 800,000 arrivals in December, or the fact that nearly 70% of visitors came for tourism purposes—all significant milestones for the industry. To honor the collective efforts of tourism professionals, the Tourism Bureau specially held the “2014 Tourism Festival Celebration and Awards Ceremony” on February 11. Hollywood actor Rob Schneider was also awarded the Tourism Contribution Award for his efforts in promoting Taiwan tourism.
The Saltwater Fireworks Festival features innovations: fluorescent SpongeBob and Valentine’s cannon forts
The 2014 Saltwater Fireworks Festival will return on the 13th and 14th (the 14th and 15th of the lunar calendar, coinciding with the Lantern Festival)! Following up on the 2013 SpongeBob cannon fort, this year adds a fluorescent element and even has the originally seated SpongeBob standing up; additionally, since the Lantern Festival coincides with Valentine’s Day this year, a special Valentine’s cannon fort featuring the word “LOVE” has been added.
It was minus five degrees this morning as Yushan saw the heaviest snowfall of winter so far
The cold front has been wreaking havoc in Taiwan, bringing consecutive days of chilly weather. Yushan, which only had light snowfall last weekend, experienced the heaviest snowfall since the start of winter (2013) on the 10th, with snow accumulation reaching as deep as 12 centimeters.
Good isn't good enough—we're going for better ! National carrier launches "VIP Clearance" service
The national airline EVA Air announced today (12th) that starting immediately, its EVA Business Aviation Center at Songshan Airport will offer an "VIP Clearance" service for international passengers. As long as the application is submitted three hours before the flight's departure or arrival, immigration clearance can be completed in just six minutes. It is also expected that the service will be expanded to all domestic flight passengers by March.
Japan’s festival champions bring 2-ton straw sandals to Taiwan Lantern Festival street performance
The “2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival,” held this year in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou County, will kick off on Valentine’s Day, February 14. On opening day, outstanding performance troupes from both domestic and international backgrounds will take part in lively street parades and stage shows. A total of 16 teams will perform this year, including elite groups from Japan as well as local participants such as the Bunun Cultural Association, Nantou Ethnic Dance Troupe, Taichung Wen-Hua Senior High School, and the Ten Drums Art Percussion Group.
Travel romantically with AirAsia: Kuala Lumpur round-trip tickets for two start from NT$6,000
February 14 is Valentine’s Day, and many couples dream of a romantic getaway. To celebrate, AirAsia has launched the “Double the Love” promotion, offering round-trip flights for two to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting from NT$6,000 including tax. Flights via Kuala Lumpur to Penang or Langkawi start from NT$7,190 for two.
Taipei Neihu Private Home Desserts: Bake a "Chiffon Cake" with Ingredients from Taiwanese Small Farmers
Named the private home dessert shop Amor House, “Amor” comes from the Spanish word for “dear” or “lover,” and it’s also Seven Treasures’ nickname for the stars. This place is essentially a low-key, romantic dessert studio, but what shines isn’t just the deep affection between the two—it’s more about their love for Taiwan’s land. The chiffon cake not only soothes the soul but also subtly brings people closer together.
Clear customs in just 6 minutes！EVA Air launches VIP clearance service, now available to general public
Clear customs in as fast as 6 minutes！EVA Air’s Business Aviation Center, located within the Songshan Airport complex, has been open to domestic flight passengers for VIP clearance services since March. As long as you apply three hours before your flight’s departure or arrival, the clearance process can be completed in as little as 6 minutes. For international flights, the fee is NT$9,800 per person for a one-way trip and NT$17,000 for a round trip. Fees for domestic flights are still under negotiation but will be lower than those for international routes.
Airport closure in Japan triggers Taiwanese passengers’ furious outbursts Flight attendant sighs: “Mainlanders are nicer”
In recent days, Japan has been hit hard by heavy snow, leaving both tourists and business travelers facing airport closures. However, numerous online discussion posts about the reactions of Taiwanese passengers during these closures have taken over forums and spread rapidly on Facebook. A friend working in the aviation industry expressed confusion: “Why blame airlines, ground staff, and cabin crews for something as uncontrollable as the weather?”
Lock in love and walk toward happiness – Penghu’s “Lovers’ Secret Route” is ultra-romantic
Could there be a romantic lovers’ route in the well-known tourist destination of Penghu? As winter bids farewell, the “2014 Penghu Love Season” kicks off. Today (21st), the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration, in collaboration with the Penghu County Government, unveiled the island’s “Four Happiness Secrets.” Amazingly, these four spots form a heart shape on the Penghu map, becoming a hot topic among locals.
The "Pink Explosion" – Wuling Cherry Blossom Season Begins
It’s here — the Wuling Cherry Blossom Season has arrived. With cherry blossoms blooming across the country, the central Taiwan hotspot Wuling Farm currently has 50 to 60% of its cherry blossoms in bloom. According to Wuling Farm, the flowers will be in full bloom on February 18 and 19. However, the farm only allows 6,000 visitors per day and has implemented traffic controls, so visitors should stay updated before heading up the mountain.