Travel
Healthy Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine – A Dish Even the Japanese Prime Minister Loves, Now Served in Taiwan
The Ambassador Hotel and Japan’s Tokyu Hotels Group are marking nearly fifty years of business collaboration with a series of events, including allowing mutual membership points accumulation for guests in both Taiwan and Japan, as well as inviting Chef Mitsushi Takuyasu from the Tokyu Hotels Group to Taiwan. From February 24 to March 23, he will be showcasing his skills at the Ambassador Hotel’s Ming Yuan Western Restaurant in Taipei, the Bafang Hotpot Restaurant in Hsinchu, and MARKET CAFÉ in Kaohsiung.
Male-friendly perk? VietJet Air, which once hosted an "in-flight bikini show," is entering the Taiwanese market
Remember the news about VietJet Air (越捷航空) hosting a bikini performance on a plane that gave many passengers a "pleasant surprise"? This low-cost carrier, which has delighted many male travelers, is finally coming to Taiwan！
News Flash / TransAsia Airways’ First ATR72-600 Launches Service on Taipei Songshan–Makung Route
TransAsia Airways launched its maiden flight on the Taipei Songshan–Makung route on February 21, operating with an ATR72-600 aircraft that had only arrived at Songshan Airport on February 18. The aircraft also features the airline’s latest logo livery, marking great news for aviation enthusiasts, photography fans, and travelers regularly commuting between Songshan and Makung. At the inaugural ceremony, TransAsia Airways General Manager Hsu I-tsung stated that the airline plans to introduce three ATR72-600 planes in the first half of this year and two more in the second half.
Ever tried Sichuan roast duck soaked in red broth? The State Guest Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant starts selling it on January 2, 2018.
Friends who love roast duck probably know that Taiwan has both Peking duck and Cantonese-style sliced duck. However, the State Guest Hotel’s Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant is about to launch “Sichuan Roast Duck Soaked in Red Broth,” set to go on sale on January 2, 2018.
Crazy Mazu Mania!“The Dajia Mazu” sets off on April 6th for a 9-day parade
Mazu fever in the third lunar month!“The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage and Incense Offering,” ranked among the world’s top three religious events, has this year’s parade date confirmed by temple officials after divining Mazu’s will—it will set off at 11 PM on April 6th in the Gregorian calendar, lasting nine days and eight nights. Currently, the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau is also hosting the “Mazu International Tourism and Culture Festival,” with eight century-old temples participating together, marking the official kickoff of “Mazu Mania.”
The noodles at Mian Wu Hui are soft yet chewy and springy, and the half-boiled egg is fresh, tender, and eye-catching.
After an exciting battle among Japanese ramen shops in Taipei in 2013, things temporarily calmed down after the arrival of Menya Musashi. Of course, some businesses thrived while others struggled, but now the new battleground is slowly extending to other counties and cities in Taiwan—for example, Kaohsiung has Musashi Bugei and Ippudo, and Tainan has also seen the arrival of Ippudo...
Cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers set the scene as the Jeju International Marathon kicks off next month
The annual "Jeju MBC International Peace Marathon" will take place on March 30. Held every year during the peak blooming season of rapeseed flowers and cherry blossoms, runners pass through picturesque flower fields, creating a stunning sight. Originally established as a health run to commemorate the tragic "Jeju 4.3 Incident" that occurred on the island from 1947 to 1951, this event has now reached its 11th edition.
Iconic Hawker Fare in Malaysia’s 60th Anniversary Year – Unforgettable Kaya Toast with a Nanyang Twist
Next up on our Penang street food journey: authentic Straits Settlements cuisine – Kaya Toast！Right after arriving in Penang and finishing our first round of snacks, our local friend took us for a second helping. This Tao Chun Café is not only a favorite of my friend but also an insanely popular and well-known eatery in Penang.
Yuan Zai leaves home to star in a movie — after strolling through Shenkeng Old Street, head to Pingxi to release sky lanterns
To encourage more people to explore Shiding and Pingxi using the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle,” the New Taipei City Government has specially planned the “Pingxi Mini-Tour” event, allowing travelers to enjoy the full experience of “seeing Yuan Zai in Shiding, tasting tofu in Shenkeng, and releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi.” The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau also produced four KUSO-themed short films featuring Yuan Zai as the main character: “Just Go,” “Just Eat,” “Just Play,” and “Sky Lantern.”
Restore the coast to its pristine state – Sign up now for Kenting’s “Bay Island Heart Experience”
As a hands-on way to promote “environmental protection” and deepen understanding of “environmental ethics,” Kenting National Park’s long-running and well-received “Working Holiday” Bay Island Heart Experience is just such an event. Three sessions will be held starting March 15, with registration now open on the Kenting National Park official website.
Shanghai-style rice cakes with customizable fillings at Shanghai Hexing Cake Shop in Nanmen Market – an authentic taste even Soong Mei-ling loved
The red bean Shanghai cake from Shanghai Hexing Cake Shop in Nanmen Market is a favorite of Soong Mei-ling, and the Xiong family loves it too. During the Lunar New Year, Xiong Miao took some time to visit Nanmen Market, first heading to Yi Chang Yu Fang, known as the “No. 1 Stall Under Heaven,” for ready-to-eat dishes like Dongpo pork, as well as Fu Ru Rou (fermented tofu pork) from Yi Xiang Zhai. Then came the Lunar New Year dishes from Yi Chang Yu Fang and Yi Xiang Zhai at Nanmen Market, followed by a stop at Shanghai Hexing to buy red bean Shanghai cake.
Lu Feng's "My Love from the Star" — "Little France Village" becomes a must-visit pilgrimage site for fans
"Have you watched the latest episode of My Love from the Star?" seems to have become the hottest topic of the moment. Mainland Chinese travel agencies, spotting the huge business opportunities brought by the drama, have designed themed tour routes based on the show. These routes have quickly become bestsellers, with "Little France Village" emerging as a must-visit destination for fans of the series.
Fries Turned into Burgers: 29 Ways to Eat Them Without Getting Bored for a Month
Is eating fried fries only with sauces too outdated? Too old-fashioned indeed!* The foreign website BuzzFeed has compiled a variety of ways to enjoy fries — no pranks here. Besides the classic way of dipping in sauces, they’ve transformed fries into multiple forms, truly bringing out the best of this snack!* Below are some more impressive recipes that will completely reshape your idea of what fries can be.
New Flights from Taichung to Kinmen Launched – Taichung-Matsu Route to Be Added in April
More travel options between Taichung and outlying islands are now available. Far Eastern Air Transport launched its new Taichung-Kinmen route on the 22nd as it began operations at Taichung’s Chingchuankang Airport. Starting April 12, the airline will also add a new Taichung-Matsu route. To celebrate the launch, Far Eastern Air Transport announced that travelers purchasing tickets from Taichung to Kinmen from now until March 31 can enjoy a 22% discount off the full fare. Booking and purchasing tickets 14 days before departure will also qualify for an early bird discount of 30%.
Super romantic: Hold your wedding at Penghu’s “Lovers’ Secret Spot” — the Double-Heart Stone Weir
Where is the most romantic place to hold a wedding? Penghu County is launching the “Romantic Qimei, Guarding Love” group wedding, inviting 10 couples to tie the knot on September 5th to 7th at Qimei’s most romantic landmark — the “Double-Heart Stone Weir.” The organizers have planned a wedding rehearsal, a tour, an open-air wedding banquet, and even a “Bathing Forever in Love” activity to be held in the afternoon of the wedding day. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience for the couples.
“Secret Dad” omakase – an atmosphere with an indescribably warm vibe
I first heard about this place called “Secret Dad” around the time I started my blog, developed a liking for nigiri sushi, and began to accept the idea of omakase dining. It took over three years before I finally had the chance to visit one of their locations (the first branch). Prior to that, my friend Xiao Hu had already tried the third branch ahead of me. The reviews for Secret Dad’s third location were quite good back then, which only strengthened my desire to visit the first branch.
2014 Indigenous South Island Group Wedding – Witnessing Love Beneath Dawu Mountain
The “2014 Indigenous South Island Group Wedding: Love Tied to Dawu Mountain – The Vow of Lily” series of events organized by the Maolin National Scenic Area Administration will take place from March 8 to 29. Throughout the event period, a variety of activities are planned, allowing both domestic and international visitors to explore indigenous culture and tribal scenery. The administration stated that this year, traditional Rukai wedding ceremonies will be held in Wutai Township, Pingtung County, from March 21 to 22, with a total of 12 couples set to celebrate their marriage under the witness of Dawu Mountain.
The "Taiwan Lantern Festival" concludes with a 6-minute fireworks show Taichung to take the reins in 2015
The "2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival" will close on the 23rd, with Nantou County Government urging the public to make the most of the final weekend and visit Zhongxing New Village to enjoy the lantern displays. On the evening of the closing ceremony, the final "Soaring Dragon Steed" main lantern show will be staged at 10:00 PM, followed by a spectacular 6-minute fireworks display at 10:03 PM, bringing this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival to a perfect close.
Six Little White Tigers Make Their Debut at Leofoo Village – Their Adorable Looks Win Over Both Kids and Adults
As adorable as Yuan Zai, the three little white tiger cubs born at Leofoo Village, who are almost three months old, are finally set to meet the public after much anticipation. From now until March 9, the cubs will appear in two time slots each day—morning and afternoon—at the Africa Tribe’s “Kiss Park,” allowing visitors to get up close and see their playful “cute” moments.
The calla lily fields on Yangmingshan are stunning – five walking trails to enjoy the scenery of Zhuzihu
The Yangmingshan Flower Season has entered its peak blooming period and will conclude on March 9. Soon to follow is the Zhuzihu Calla Lily Season. Thanks to several days of sunshine, over 50% of the calla lilies have already blossomed. The Taipei City Department of Civil Engineering recommends five riverside trails surrounding the calla lily fields. Not only can you stroll through the white sea of flowers, but you can also wander through the mountains and forests, enjoying a refreshing encounter with nature.