Travel
Diving 10 Meters Underwater to Harvest Sea Snails: "Haenyeo" of Feiyang Island Free-Dive for 3 Minutes
Located in the northwest of Jeju Island, the offshore island of Feiyang Island can only be reached by a 10–15 minute boat ride from Hanrim Port. The island was primarily formed by volcanic eruptions, so basalt rocks are scattered all over. Due to its coastal location, residents make a living from the sea. Local guide Ms. Fu said that the population here is less than 200, and professional haenyeo (female divers) account for over 60% of the island’s inhabitants.
Starry Starry Night – A Shining Australia and New Zealand
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge booked flights to tour New Zealand and Australia, tourist interest in the two countries soared by 153% overnight. According to the Daily Mail, this spike happened just one day after the royal trip was announced. And if the chance to spot Kate and William isn’t reason enough to visit Australia and New Zealand, then take a look at the breathtaking night skies captured by photographer Bhuminan Piyathasanan during his nights in the two countries.
Bullish on Taiwan market: Japan’s CGM President Nakano Masazumi aims to offer Taiwanese travelers high-quality service
Capitalizing on the tourism business opportunity of 4,000 Olympic visitors to Tokyo, Nakano Masazumi, president of Japan’s renowned hotel management group Core Global Management Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as CGM), personally led a team to promote the group’s 11 hotels in Taiwan. Nakano stated that by combining hotel designs that integrate surrounding landscapes and local characteristics, along with offerings such as cuisine representing Japanese flavors, he hopes to provide Taiwanese travelers with high-quality service.
Limited in Tainan only: Juicy red strawberries paired with sweet red beans are super tempting — plus 5 adorable cats for company
The bright red, plump strawberries are mouthwatering just to look at and are one of the must-try winter treats. Tainan’s Neko Toast Castle, known for its affordable hot-pressed toast, is especially popular among students and has gained fame around Chenggong area. Starting December 8th, new Strawberry Daifuku Toast and Strawberry Sandwiches are now available. The owner mentioned that they will be sold as long as supplies last from the Miaoli vendor.
A Romantic Weekend Night for City Dwellers: Xinyi District’s “Free” Open-Air Cinema Debuts on the 16th
Watching movies on the grass in the city is no longer a dream. Xinyi Plaza, located at the intersection of Songzhi Road and Songlian Road in Taipei’s Xinyi District, will screen popular films for free from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on December 16 (Saturday). The public can sit on the lawn, enjoy the cool breeze, and watch *Paws of Fury 3* and *Star Trek III: Beyond the Stars*, making for a romantic date without spending a dime.
News Flash / Paper Panda "Causes a Stir" at Ningxia Night Market Adopt One for Public Good at 6,000 NTD
During the exhibition of "1600 Pandas World Tour—Taipei" at Taipei City Hall Square and National Theater & Concert Hall Square, over 3 million visitors were attracted. The two pandas also made flash appearances at 14 attractions in Taipei. Their final farewell flash event took place on April 23 at Ningxia Night Market. Despite occasional light rain, the charm of the paper panda and paper Formosan black bear remained undiminished, drawing large crowds.
Heartbroken over damaged Jimmy Liao paintings—Frontier Mother Jiang Yuemei creates a new piece overnight
The tribe near Sanxiantai in Taitung—Bisili’an—gained media attention thanks to characters from Jimmy Liao’s illustrations, putting this small village on the map. However, one night, an intoxicated indigenous friend, in a fit of anger, painted over one of the 11 artworks. Though the incident left the village, nicknamed “Jimmy Liao Village,” with some regret,
Bicycle one-way lanes? Confusing traffic signs in Tokyo that baffle foreign tourists
No matter where you travel, "transportation" is just as important as food, clothing, and accommodation. A Japanese women's website "Mynavi Woman" recently focused on "transportation," interviewing several foreigners currently traveling or living in Tokyo to find out what confuses them the most when navigating the streets...?
Yilan's Jiaoxi Super Popular "Scallion Pancakes" – Golden, Crispy, Just 25 NT$!
In the past, whenever Jiaoxi was mentioned, people would think of either the silky hot spring baths or the lush green hot spring water spinach. But these days, many come to Jiaoxi just to eat scallion pancakes—as if you haven’t truly been to Jiaoxi unless you’ve queued up for them.
Taichung Travel Expo kicks off on the 25th！ Travel to Malaysia from just NT$12,900
The 2014 Taichung International Travel Expo will be held from April 25 to April 28 at the Taichung World Trade Center. The Malaysian Tourism Board and travel agencies have launched a “5-day, 4-night travel package” starting as low as NT$12,900 (before tax).
Kaohsiung’s Namasia District Features 3 Firefly Trails – Feel Like You’ve Fallen into a Starry River
Fireflies are lighting up various parts of Taiwan, and recently, Kaohsiung’s Namasia District has entered its firefly mating season. Every evening, tens of thousands of fireflies can be seen dancing in the valleys. Some describe walking through the woods as falling into a galaxy – a truly romantic and beautiful sight. The Namasia District Office has also planned three firefly-viewing trails to make it easier for the public to explore. The firefly season, known locally as the “Firefly Auntie Season,” lasts until early May.
“Hoping small actions bring great miracles” — Korean netizens tie yellow ribbons to pray for Sewol victims
It has been eight days since the Sewol ferry sank in South Korea. The death toll has now risen to 150, with 152 people still missing. In recent days, Korean netizens have launched a yellow ribbon prayer campaign on social media. Facebook users have been changing their profile pictures to images of yellow ribbons — yellow backgrounds with black bows in the center and the words “small actions bring great miracles” written on them, praying for the safe return of the missing passengers.
Bikinis and thongs – Douliu Samba Carnival shakes it up on the 26th
Taiwan has its own passionate samba carnival too. The Xizhou Community Samba Carnival Parade in Douliu City kicks off on April 26. Organizers say over 200 community residents will take part, with women wearing bikinis and men in thongs, all shaking their hips to the rhythm. In addition, international performance troupes from the United States, Canada, and Scotland will also hit the streets to join in the fun.
Domestic flight discounts to be less than 30% off starting June; refund policies to get stricter
After domestic airfares were raised earlier this year (2014), airlines have introduced around 30% off promotional fares to boost sales. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated that starting as early as early June, domestic flight discounts will be even more favorable than current offers, but refund policies will become stricter—tickets discounted below 30% will be void if unused after the deadline, and new fees for post-departure refunds will be added.
Mother’s Day Travel Advisory: Maokong Gondola to Suspend Service from May 5 to 19
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism announced that the Maokong Gondola system will undergo annual maintenance from May 5 to May 19, during which service will be suspended, and operations will resume on May 20. The maintenance period includes Mother’s Day on May 11, so travelers should plan their trips well in advance.
Using the Ruins of St. Paul’s as a canvas, the Macao Arts Festival is set to debut
Travelers to Macao in the coming days will witness a fresh new image of the city. The Macao Government Tourism Office is presenting a series of light and shadow art performances to tell Macao’s story, with the first wave taking place at the Ancient Roman Arena at Fisherman’s Wharf. Using world heritage sites such as the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Guia Lighthouse as backdrops, the shows employ 3D projection technology and special effects music to showcase Macao’s diverse culture and landscape—perfect for interested travelers to check out.
Refreshing and affordable cold noodles with rich sauce — a great summer choice
Whenever people crave cold noodles, their only option used to be convenience stores. But ever since Zhangjia Cold Noodles opened, I’ve finally had a go-to spot when I want cold noodles in the sweltering summer heat. Personally, I find the noodles quite chewy, and the sauce is rich and flavorful — it’s a solid cold noodle dish overall.
Best Time to See Fireflies！Ocean University Offers Free Eco-Guided Tours
Starting every year in April, it’s the season when fireflies take flight！During this time, Ocean University holds a Firefly Season event, leading the public to the Longgang Ecological Park—rich in natural scenery—to admire the fireflies. The first firefly-viewing tour of the year will take place on the evening of the 24th. Ms. Pan Lingli from the Extracurricular Activities Guidance Office of Ocean University said that based on past experience, the current period marks the peak season for firefly viewing.
3-layer hot-pressed toast that’s stretchy and gooey!* Rich and creamy soy milk and pearl milk tea Christmas specials with a girly twist
Yuan Chu Dou Fang, which has outlets at National Chengchi University and Taipei’s Breeze Xin Yi, is just two months old. Originally called “Yuan Chu,” meaning “the most original soy milk squeezed from ground soybeans,” the brand was created because many commercial soy milks have artificial or unnatural flavors. The owners wanted to offer customers a more natural and delicious alternative.
A sea of colorful balloons and a 7-meter-tall Brown Bear！The ultimate lazy guide to Hong Kong’s must-visit Christmas spots is super extravagant
This year’s Christmas in Hong Kong is going to be amazing！As the holiday approaches, the decorations around the city are creatively unique — there’s a vibrant and romantic sea of balloons, a scene where Brown Bear transforms into an astronaut, and even a giant 3-meter carousel. The over-the-top designs have successfully captured everyone’s hearts. ETtoday News Cloud personally visited the 5 most eye-catching spots and compiled this “lazy guide to Hong Kong’s Christmas photo hotspots.” After seeing these, you’ll want to fly to Hong Kong right away！