Travel
Mixed-gender restrooms and toilet paper placed too far away — surprising toilets in Norway
Cultural differences between East and West are significant, and even something as basic as "using the restroom" can vary greatly. For the Japanese, a warm toilet seat and an automatic bidet with warm water are completely normal, but if Japanese people travel to Norway, they might find the local restrooms quite unfamiliar.
The “Yilan Fashion Day” promotes urban aesthetics
“Urban aesthetics is about living in the moment!” Following the highly successful first Yilan Fashion Day lecture in March, the second session was held on April 5 at the Luodong Cultural Factory. This lecture, led by fashion designer Hsu Yan-ling, continued the theme of urban aesthetics, emphasizing that an aesthetic lifestyle means living in the present — only by being curious about life can one truly appreciate its rarity.
Rivaling Taiwan—California’s 50-hectare Flower Sea More Stunning Than a Kaleidoscope
In Carlsbad, San Diego County, Southern California, a 50-hectare garden transforms with the arrival of April. Now, stretching as far as the eye can see is a vast expanse of soft, vibrant flower fields where children run freely and adults lose themselves in wonder. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch sit atop a hillside, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean—patches of blossoms cascading down the slopes like waterfalls, a truly magnificent sight.
World’s Best Airport 2014: Singapore Changi Airport Wins Again, Taiwan Ranks 10th in Asia
The UK-based independent aviation survey organization “Skytrax,” which annually releases the world’s best international airport rankings based on global traveler votes, announced the “2014 World’s Top 10 Airports” at the end of March. Singapore Changi International Airport once again claimed the top spot, while Hong Kong International Airport, which has won first place eight times before, narrowly missed out this year and remained in 4th place.
Lucky Tuesday: Enjoy 50% off dinner and get the beef noodles loved by Kim Soo-hyun for free
The Far East Café buffet restaurant on the sixth floor of Taipei Far Eastern Hotel has launched a “Lucky Tuesday” wheel spin event starting April 8. Diners who visit for dinner on Tuesdays have the chance to win up to 50% off their meal, selected red wine, and classic Taiwanese beef noodles highly praised by Kim Soo-hyun at a press conference. There’s also a special afternoon tea set created for Kim Soo-hyun, and you might even win the monthly grand prize—a NT$5,000 dining voucher for a designated restaurant.
Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations for Chocolate Lovers
Summer vacation is just around the corner, and have you planned your holiday trip yet? If you’re always drawn to the rich, velvety taste of chocolate, quickly add these spots to your must-visit list. According to National Geographic, here are the world’s top ten destinations that every chocolate lover should experience. Each offers something unique and has its own loyal following. Let chocolate take you on a multi-layered, fantastical adventure.
Watch fireflies fluttering through the woods – A complete guide to the firefly-watching season in the Greater Taipei Area
April is a month when the essence of spring is in full bloom. As flowers burst into color, nighttime also marks the time when fireflies dance among the trees. ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud has compiled a list of firefly-watching events at various scenic spots across the Greater Taipei Area. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to step into the woods and admire the “azure river of fireflies” that seems to have descended from the heavens.
Early bird deals available now: Resort launches direct flights to Ishigaki, Phuket, and Malaysia
Enjoy a hassle-free direct flight to your vacation destination, skipping the long journey. Club Med has curated a series of packages in collaboration with direct flight services: a 55-minute direct flight to Ishigaki Island, Japan, available from April 2 to October 29. Another Club Med direct flight destination is Chendlaten Bay in Malaysia, with chartered flights running every five days from June 21 to August 28 this year.
Everyone’s at the Sunflower Student Movement? Attendance at the Kenting Spring Music Festival Plummets
This year, aside from a rise in participation at the Bubble Party and steady attendance at the Kenting Spring Scream, other events saw significant drops in crowd numbers, making the atmosphere somewhat subdued. But it’s not just due to the student movement—slightly higher ticket prices and poor weather also played a part.
Scoot's Early Bird Sale on April 8 – Phuket & Bali from just 4,168 yuan
Scoot announced on the 7th that its Early Bird Sale taking place from 07:00 to 09:00 on April 8 will feature not only options to Singapore, Seoul, and other destinations, but also island getaways to Phuket and Bali, with fares starting as low as 1,888 yuan.
Gold Museum sets record with over 2 million visitors, topping New Taipei City
Adjacent to Jiufen, the Gold Museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Taiwan for both domestic and international travelers. Last year, it broke the 2 million visitor mark, becoming the most visited museum in New Taipei City in 2013.
Dakan Cape turned into a stunt practice site; mushroom rocks ravaged by motorcycles
When we marveled at Taiwan’s beauty through the documentary “Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above” and exposed semiconductor giants polluting the environment, many were advocating for “loving Taiwan” and cherishing this land. Yet, there are those who treat the stunning erosional landforms of Dakan Cape as a stunt practice ground for their off-road motorcycles, completely disregarding the severe damage these high-traction bikes inflict on the fragile eroded terrain.
The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Begins with Over 100,000 People Competing to Carry the Palanquin; 20-Meter Mazu Figure Draws Huge Attention
Dubbed one of the world’s three major religious events, the “Dajia Zhenlan Temple Mazu Pilgrimage” incense ceremony commenced at 11 p.m. on the 6th, kicking off this year’s 9-day, 8-night journey. On the night of departure, over 100,000 devotees flocked to Dajia to participate, all seeking blessings and scrambling to touch the Mazu palanquin in hopes of good fortune for the year.
Diverse ice cream pairings with waffles — soft and chewy textures with visual delight
Visiting friends in Banqiao and looking for a café to hang out, a friend recommended 182 Lane Waffle Kitchen on Daren Street — a place without Li Da-ren — saying it’s quite unique. I heard they have many creative waffles, the place is pretty good, the prices aren’t high, and it’s quite suitable for chatting, so we thought, let’s give it a try, Up！
Taipei’s Five-Star Hotels Offer Amazing Buffet Deals — No Queues, Eat for Free
Hotel meals are usually quite expensive, so meal vouchers offered during travel fairs often catch the attention of most consumers. Ahead of the 5/23–5/26 Summer International Travel Fair — the largest of the year — East News Travel Cloud has compiled a list of five buffet restaurants in greater Taipei. Bargain hunters, it's best to compare your options to get the best deal.
I'm absolutely obsessed with five-star desserts! Broadcaster Li Jialing: Sugar-free gum is a must in my makeup bag
Among broadcasters, no one loves sweets more than Li Jialing, the beloved anchor from China Television. With her naturally sweet smile, she places great emphasis on her "appearance," especially oral hygiene, which she considers basic etiquette.
What hotel amenities do travelers value the most? "Free breakfast" tops Wi-Fi
What do global travelers actually care about most when choosing their ideal hotel amenities? A leading hotel booking website announced today (8th) that after free Wi-Fi claimed the top spot last year, "free breakfast" has been voted as the hotel amenity travelers value the most.
Taipei’s Most Beautiful MRT Station Is Actually a “Smiling Big Frog”
Since the completion of Taipei MRT’s Da’an Park Station, its lush green architecture, naturally lit circular corridor, and comfortable rooftop garden have led many to call it “Taipei’s most beautiful MRT station,” complementing the southern counterpart, Kaohsiung’s Formosa Boulevard Station, famed for its colorful glass ceiling. But according to a private tip from a friend of 95 Evil Wife, this so-called most beautiful MRT station in Taipei is actually shaped like a “big frog”!
Full of folk significance: Tainan’s “Shangbaishi Worship Festival” kicks off on the 10th
The annual Shangbaishi Ancestral Worship Festival at Xuejia Ciji Temple will take place this Thursday (the 11th day of the third lunar month). This unique event carries deep folk meanings such as “remembering one’s roots” and “passing on the incense of tradition,” and is closely tied to local history and development. The Tainan City Tourism Bureau recommends that interested visitors take the opportunity to experience the lively atmosphere during the festival and explore related local tours.
“Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo” Makes Its Kaohsiung Debut! Mayor Chen Chu: 50 Cruise Ships to Call This Year
“Star Cruises SuperStar Virgo” Makes Its Kaohsiung Debut!, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu led a municipal government team this afternoon, the 8th, to attend the maiden voyage ceremony at Banana Pier. In addition to warmly welcoming cruise operators to establish Kaohsiung as their home port and operate routes connecting Kaohsiung with major global cities—bringing international visitors to experience vibrant Kaohsiung—she also stated that the city government is actively collaborating with the port authority to promote the development of Kaohsiung’s cruise industry. It is estimated that around 50 cruise ships will call at the Port of Kaohsiung this year.