Travel
The "Blueprint" is back to life! The new 3D version to be completed in June at the Tainan micro-cultural and creative park
Tainan’s well-known street scene “Blueprint” was recently painted over, much to the disappointment of many locals. The city’s Cultural Affairs Bureau has now introduced the “New Blueprint,” located in a micro-cultural and creative park set up in an alley off Section 1, Ximen Road, within a renovated former judicial dormitory. The original designer, Liu Guocang, has once again been commissioned for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of June. The overall micro-cultural and creative park is scheduled to be finished and open to the public by around the end of the year.
Be quick to grab your tickets！High-speed rail tickets for the Qingming holiday go on sale at midnight on March 7.
To meet the travel demands of passengers returning home for tomb-sweeping and outings during the Qingming Festival, Taiwan High Speed Rail will operate 64 additional southbound and 38 northbound services, totaling 102 extra train trips, over the five-day transport period from Thursday, April 3 to Monday, April 7. This will bring the total number of train services available during the five days to 783. Additionally, 17 train services will be canceled or adjusted. The early bird discount and non-reserved seating services will remain available during this period. Tickets for the Qingming Festival also go on sale at midnight on March 7.
Taiwan-Korea Tourism Exchange Celebrity Baseball Game – Just 3 Receipts to Get In and Support Charity
To support charitable causes and promote Taiwan’s tourism, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has specially invited the Korean Celebrity Baseball Team to come to Taiwan on March 16. The event will take place at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, where they will play a charity match against the Taiwan Shining Stars Celebrity Baseball Team. This event aims to leverage the star power of entertainers from both countries to attract sports fans and the general public, thereby boosting tourist numbers and encouraging public participation in spreading love and care to those around them.
Cruise and flight packages offer Hong Kong land-sea-air travel experiences — starting from just HK$9,900 for a three-day, two-night trip
To meet market demand in the Asia-Pacific region, Star Cruises has redeployed its "SuperStar Virgo" to Hong Kong, using the city as its home port to launch a variety of cruise journeys, with a total of 31 voyages scheduled to arrive in Taiwan. Star Cruises has also introduced bundled cruise-and-flight vacation packages for two sailings departing from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung on April 7 and 9, starting at just HK$9,900 for a three-day, two-night trip and HK$11,900 for a four-day, three-night trip.
No BBQs, no campfires: Taroko National Park designates 5 simple cooking areas
The Taroko National Park Administration has recently noticed that some visitors treat parking lots within the park as "camping areas," not only setting up tents but also cooking in the parking areas, which affects the parking and safety of other visitors. In addition to issuing an official notice on the 5th strictly prohibiting such behavior, the administration has also designated fixed areas where visitors can engage in simple cooking. They hope the public will cooperate to prevent a recurrence of incidents like the mountain wildfires at Shei-Pa National Park in the past.
50 tons of trash accumulated in 61 years — every Everest climber must carry 8 kg of garbage down
The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest (Qomolangma), standing at 8,848 meters above sea level, is a must-visit destination for many mountaineers. In the approximately 61 years since climbing was opened, nearly 50 tons of trash have accumulated along the climbing routes. The Nepalese government has decided that starting in April, each climber must carry down 8 kg of garbage. With an estimated 900 climbers this year, up to 7.2 tons of trash could be brought down.
Forest fires trigger severe haze; Indonesia travel alert raised to yellow
Continuous forest fires in Riau Province on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island have caused severe haze, with air quality reaching levels that may harm human health. The situation has affected flight operations and led to school closures, prompting the province to declare a state of emergency. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained a “yellow” travel alert for Indonesia.
The International Cycling Road Race Around Taiwan clashes with panda exhibit; paper pandas in Taipei close for half a day on the 9th
The "1600 Pandas World Tour," which has been on display at the Civic Plaza in front of Taipei City Hall since February 28, will be affected by the "International Cycling Road Race Around Taiwan" taking place on March 9. As a result, roads around the city hall will be under full traffic control. To ensure the smooth running of the race and public safety, the opening time on March 9 will be postponed from 09:00 to 12:00.
Irregular opening hours—you’ll need luck to get a taste of these sesame sauce noodles swimming in rich broth-like sauce.
A long-standing local roadside eatery in Yilan—Da Mian Zhang Gambling Noodles. Ever wonder why it’s called “Gambling Noodles”? Well, rumor has it that the owner loves gambling and only opened the shop to make money after losing bets. He often opens “two days fishing, three days drying nets” style—irregularly and unpredictably—so your chances of getting to eat here are just as much a gamble as the name suggests. You really have to rely on luck to score a meal here XD...
Ministry of Health and Welfare: Smoking Ban in National Parks and Scenic Areas Starts April 1; Kenting Spring Scream Also Enforces the Policy
Smokers, take note！The Ministry of Health and Welfare has officially announced that starting April 1, smoking will be prohibited in national parks, national nature parks, scenic areas, and forest recreation areas—except in designated smoking zones. In locations without designated smoking areas, smoking will be completely banned. This new measure applies to national parks such as Yushan, Yangmingshan, Kenting, and Taroko. For the Kenting Spring Scream event in April, popular sandy beaches with large crowds, including Nanwan and Houwan recreation areas, will also be smoke-free except in designated smoking zones.
Trial sales at Lao Chen Cold Noodles Le Hua Flagship Store – Those with the surname "Chen" can enjoy free cold noodles before December 22
Originating in Banqiao and gaining sudden popularity, Lao Chen Cold Noodles, which only operates for four hours in the evening, has recently expanded rapidly. Following the trial sales that began on December 9 at its flagship store near Yonghe Le Hua Night Market, the shop has also launched an opening promotion: anyone with the surname "Chen" can enjoy free Lao Chen Cold Noodles before the official opening on December 22. In addition to the Le Hua flagship store, the original Banqiao store is also participating. Just show your ID at checkout to receive one free bowl of Lao Chen Cold Noodles per day.
Lazy Guide to Must-Visit Blue-Lover Attractions!/ A Relaxing Palette to Broaden Your Mind
Blue has a calming effect and is a very pure color, often associated with the sea, sky, and water—things that make one’s mind feel expansive and serene. It also naturally encourages tranquility. As one of the most beloved classic colors, have you ever thought that sports facilities could be this beautiful? ETtoday Travel Cloud has gathered large blue-themed sports centers and parks for all blue enthusiasts. Come and claim your spot in every aqua-blue scene now!
Shop till you drop and buy till your hands ache – Seoul’s top three underground malls where you can shop ’til you’re crazy
Nowadays, when traveling to Seoul, areas like Dongdaemun and Myeongdong are no longer the only must-visit shopping destinations. Instead, underground malls located inside subway stations have taken their place. With affordable prices, numerous shops for price comparisons, and the ability to enjoy shopping without worrying about the weather, these spots have become new hotspots for female travelers looking to hunt for bargains. The Korea Tourism Organization recommends several underground malls that are a must-visit when traveling to Seoul.
2014 Airline Recruitment Battle: Apply Now to Chase Your Sky-High Dream
China Airlines recently announced its 2014 cabin crew recruitment exam on its official website, with applications expected to open from late May to early June. As the market evolves, several airlines have already begun recruiting new cabin crew members in Taiwan this year. ANA’s recruitment period ended from March 1–3, Singapore Airlines stopped accepting applications on March 3, and V Air closed its recruitment on March 14. Job seekers aiming to become flight attendants should seize the opportunity to apply.
Tainan Garden Night Market Photography Contest Results Announced: Delicious Food Captured Beautifully in Photos!
Tainan Garden Night Market was recently selected by CNN as one of Taiwan’s top 10 unique attractions, and also ranked No. 1 on Taiwan’s “Most Popular Check-in Spot” list in 2013. To encourage more visitors to experience the charm of the night market, the city government organized a photography contest. The recent results have been announced, with first, second, and third place winners, as well as honorable mentions and commendations selected. The top three entries all feature aerial shots of the bustling night market filled with vendors and crowds.
PopUp Café Offers Discount: Bring a Good Book and Enjoy 50% Off Coffee
Located in the Dunhua commercial district, the PopUp Café at Dynasty Hotel has launched an “Exclusive Double Delight Package” for coffee enthusiasts, pairing Julius Meinl Vienna coffee with specially crafted handmade cakes by the chef, offering a moment of tranquility in the bustling city.
Taiwan International Orchid Show, One of the World's Top 3 Orchid Exhibitions, Makes a "Stunning" Debut in Tainan
One of the world's top three orchid exhibitions, the Taiwan International Orchid Show, will be held in Tainan from March 8 to 17. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the event. The organizers have planned "Ten Highlights," featuring ten themed exhibition zones. In addition to showcasing thousands of orchid species from around the world, the show will also feature cultural and creative merchandise inspired by orchids. The Tainan City Government has partnered with bus operators to offer free rides on special orchid shuttle buses for those using electronic payment cards — a great deal visitors should take advantage of.
All-you-can-eat spicy hot pot in Taipei’s Xinyi District – 7 types of beef, 10 kinds of ice cream
Hot pot is always a great choice when my friends and I want to have a big, satisfying meal together, especially an all-you-can-eat hot pot where there's a huge variety of ingredients for everyone to enjoy. Xin Dian Spicy Hot Pot is an extremely popular hot pot restaurant—both its Songjiang Road flagship store and Xinyi branch are always packed. Since it’s near my home, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve eaten here. The high-quality meats and fresh seafood never fail to make every visit incredibly satisfying.
The Wulai Wisteria Flower Season Begins – 15 Best Spots for Viewing Revealed
As flower seasons continue one after another across Taiwan, the Chiayi Wulai Wisteria Flower Season kicks off today. The rare pinkish-purple wisteria flowers in Taiwan are in full bloom. To promote the beauty of wisteria, the county government has specially invited Japanese actress Makiko Okubo to serve as the spokesperson and has listed 15 of the best spots for flower viewing. The Cultural Affairs and Tourism Bureau stated that the wisteria blooming period is not long, lasting only until the end of March, so the public is advised to plan their trips early.
Look elsewhere for floral delights – Taipei Flower Market, with 17 years of history, to close on March 8
To ensure stable operations of the wholesale floral market in the Greater Taipei area, the Taipei City Government has designated the intersection of Xinhu 3rd Road and Minshan Street in Neihu District as the site for a permanent new Taipei Flower Market. The original Taipei Flower Market will cease operations at 6:00 AM on March 8 after completing its final auction. The new market will begin a three-day trial run starting March 11 and officially open on March 14.