Travel
Japanese pizza chain enters Taiwan – All-you-can-eat freshly baked pizzas, pasta, and desserts
Basically, anyone who knows me well knows I’m not a fan of all-you-can-eat buffets and rarely go to them, and even if I do, I seldom write about it. Moreover, I’m not particularly fond of pizza, or rather, I’d get sick of it after just one or two slices. But you might wonder why I, Xiao Hu, still went to join the crowd.
100,000 lavender plants in bloom — Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village creates a "Purple Valentine's Day"
As one flower season after another unfolds across Taiwan, while the cherry blossom season draws to a close, it’s just the right time for the lavender blooms at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. With over 100,000 vibrant purple lavender plants in full flower, the vast sea of purple creates an incredibly romantic scene. The village has specially designated March 9 as “Purple Valentine’s Day.” Couples dressed in purple outfits who come to the park to “show some love” will receive a commemorative gift.
“1600 Paper Pandas Taipei Exhibition” Sees 40 Damaged in Just 2 Days – Pandas Wear Raincoats to Stay Dry
The “1600 Pandas World Tour – Taipei” has been on display since today in front of Taipei City Hall Plaza and will run until the 9th. There is also an interactive area where the public can hug paper pandas, but it has been reported that just two days after the exhibition opened, 40 pandas were damaged due to being accidentally dropped after being hugged. Some severely damaged ones had to be sent back to the factory for “emergency treatment.”
Take me home！A 3-hectare cosmos sea opens for flower picking along New Taipei’s riverside
You can really pick them and take them home！A total of 3 hectares of cosmos flowers are in full bloom at Xinzhuang Riverside Happiness Shuiyang Park and Xindian Sunshine Sports Park in New Taipei City. The previously strict ban on picking or breaking plants has now been lifted. The Water Resources Bureau stated that as the land will be tilled and leveled in two weeks, the flower sea will be mixed into green fertilizer. Therefore, the public is welcome to take these beautiful cosmos flowers home, and there is no limit on the amount you can pick.
Vines climb over the exterior walls！A century-old Japanese rice granary transformed into a café
What’s your favorite thing to encounter while traveling? For me, nothing beats stumbling upon an unexpected gem of a shop and spending a magical, cozy moment there. And this “Café Renga,” right in front of Kitakata Station, was a delightful surprise during my trip.
Latest 2014 Japan cherry blossom front forecast: Tokyo and Nagoya delayed by 2 to 5 days
Every spring, the most anticipated event in Japan is the cherry blossom season. On February 25, the Japan Meteorological Corporation released its latest prediction for when cherry blossoms will bloom across the country. Compared to the first forecast in early January, the blooming period has been postponed by an average of 2 to 5 days nationwide.
1,600 paper pandas displayed in front of Taipei City Hall Plaza, attracting over 270,000 visitors on the first day of 228 Holiday
On the first day of the 228 long weekend, Taipei City Hall Plaza was packed with crowds—all here to “see the pandas”! Following last week’s four-day panda pop-up event, the “1600 Pandas World Tour – Taipei” kicked off on February 28th in front of Taipei City Hall. The adorable sight of the paper pandas sitting or standing drew nearly 270,000 visitors on the opening day.
The first official theme song MV of "Taiwan Da" is out — the mascot itself makes an appearance!
The adorable mascot "Taiwan Da," hailed by netizens as "extremely cute," currently operates only within Japan. But if fans in Taiwan want to see a "moving" Taiwan Da, they can start by enjoying the official full version of the theme song MV titled "Taiwan Da of the Southern Island," which was officially released on the 1st on the official fan page!
2018 Global Flower Viewing Guide: A Visual Feast for Your Eyes
The British poet Shelley once said, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Indeed, after the cold winter, spring arrives with a burst of blooming flowers. The vibrant sea of blossoms is sure to lift your spirits. Starting from the end of January, you can enjoy the splendid floral displays in various regions. Start planning your flower-viewing trip for your next holiday in 2018 right away!
Use up your annual leave before the end of 2017 – Last chance for travel promotions
Karatsu in Japan has long been known as the "Little Switzerland." In winter, the snow-covered town is romantic and picturesque, with white landscapes that complement its European-style architecture, creating a charming foreign atmosphere. Alternatively, visit "Little Edo," where well-preserved traditional Japanese buildings transport you back to 1930s Japan, offering a strong sense of nostalgic charm.
The most anticipated seasonal spectacle of 2018: The Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall
Japan’s seasonal spectacle, the ‘Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall,’ is one of the country’s popular tourist attractions in recent years. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, known as the “Roof of Japan,” draws visitors from around the world every year from mid-April to early June to witness the breathtaking Snow Valley and its towering snow walls. In 2017, the snow wall reached a height of 19 meters—about the height of a 10-story building. According to GoHappy Travel, group tour packages for the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Wall in 2018 have started going on sale. Since spring is also the season for cherry blossom viewing in Japan, GoHappy Travel has designed itineraries that combine different Japanese entry points—such as Komatsu, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka—with visits to the Tateyama Kurobe region, and also include cherry blossom viewing along the way.
Frequent dengue fever outbreaks in Southeast Asia—travelers should take mosquito prevention measures seriously
According to epidemic monitoring data from the Centers for Disease Control, several countries in Southeast Asia such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are experiencing frequent dengue fever outbreaks. In Singapore, as of week 6, a total of 2,162 dengue cases have been reported. In Malaysia, dengue cases continue to rise at a rate of approximately 2,000 new cases per week, with a cumulative total of 11,870 cases reported as of early February this year. As of February 18 this year, Taiwan has recorded a total of 21 imported dengue fever cases.
Hong Kong Ocean Park’s Christmas Town Opens with Limited-Time Ultra-Exciting “VR Roller Coaster”
Hong Kong Ocean Park’s “Christmas HO HO HO” event kicks off on December 11 and runs until January 1, 2018. It features Hong Kong’s first-ever virtual reality (VR) roller coaster and a variety of thrilling VR games. Additionally, there’s the 【Pinkoi Christmas Market】 selling locally crafted specialty items, along with festive attractions such as the 【Santa’s House】, 【Winter Romantic Garden】, and Christmas decorations throughout the park—offering visitors an exciting, romantic, and joyful holiday experience.
Scoot launches early-bird fares on March 4: Taipei–Singapore one-way from NT$1,098
Low-cost carrier Scoot launched a Tuesday promotion from 07:00 to 09:00 on March 4, with travel dates valid from March 5 to May 30, 2014. This promotion includes deals such as Taipei–Singapore one-way from NT$1,098 and Taipei–Gold Coast/Sydney one-way from NT$2,998. For details and bookings, please visit the official Scoot website.
Campaign Launched to Collect Old Photos of Yehliu’s Queen’s Head; Grand Prize iPhone 5S
To welcome 2014, the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the North Coast Administration) came up with the concept of “Happy North Coast” and planned the “Love ‘Memories’ of the Queen’s Head” — an old photo collection campaign. The aim is to use “memories of the Queen’s Head” as a bridge for communication, reviving beautiful memories related to the Queen’s Head through old photos capturing people’s past experiences at this iconic site.
Step into *Night on the Galactic Railroad*: Iwate’s “SL Ginga” Train Resumes Service in April
Do you remember the story from the famous Japanese anime *Night on the Galactic Railroad*, where the protagonist and his friend ride a train traveling along starry cosmic tracks and encounter many beautiful and wondrous sights? To revitalize local tourism, Japan’s northeastern region has created a steam locomotive themed after this beloved animation, named the “SL Ginga.” Starting mid-April, it will once again run along the JR Ou Main Line between “Hanamaki” and “Kamaishi” in Iwate Prefecture.
Korea’s earliest spring destination: Top 3 cherry blossom spots in Jeju Island
March is the season of blooming flowers, and Jeju Island is the first place in Korea to welcome spring. At the end of winter, rapeseed flower fields appear first, followed by cherry blossoms from March to mid-April. The yellow and pink blossoms bloom together, making it the most beautiful season on the island.
Top 10 Most Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations in the World: The Philippines, Greece, and the Dominican Republic Take the Top Three Spots
In an era where everything seems to be getting more expensive, "budget travel" has become the top choice for many. But if you're planning an international trip, where can you enjoy the thrill of traveling abroad without breaking the bank? In mid-February, U.S. media outlet HuffPost released a list of the "Top 10 Most Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations in 2014," urging travelers to visit these places while they’re still affordable.
Global Stars Go Wild for Taiwan Food Guru Stanton Yee: Tainan’s Lu Wei Is Super Delicious
The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and TLC Travel Channel have joined forces for the sixth time to produce the “Crazy for Taiwan” series. In addition to host Janet, the show features 10 celebrities and travel hosts who have designed 10 new routes, including food adventurer Bob Blumer from “Bizarre Foods,” travel host Ian Wright and craft traveler Anita Kapoor from “Globe Trekker,” supermodel Denise Keller from “Asia’s Next Top Model,” Oli Pettigrew from “The Simple Life with Paris Hilton,” Jamie Aditya from “Jamie’s Journeys,” Samantha Brown from “Passport to Europe” and “Great Hotels of the World,” Angela Gan from “Beach Holiday,” and Singaporean food guru Stanton Yee, among others, showcasing Taiwan to the world.
Freeze prices, revamp menu, offer discounts: 5-star hotel buffet gives 1 free for every 4 diners on weekdays
Since March, many hotels in Taipei have raised buffet prices to reflect rising costs, but the Taipei Dynasty Hotel in the Dunhua business district has gone against the trend. Its atrium café on the first floor, which mainly offers buffets, has not only introduced a new menu featuring a Japanese style, but also provides