Travel
Panama is more than just a canal — its rich biodiversity and traditional indigenous culture attract travelers.
I arrived in this distant country with only a vague impression. In fact, Panama isn’t just about the canal; it boasts abundant ecological resources and the preservation of indigenous cultures, which are quite fascinating and draw visitors from around the world. We visited the traditional village of the Emberá Tucipono indigenous community, a special reserve where they once hunted, fished, and farmed to sustain their lives.
Launching a Beach Cleanup on Gupoyu Island: Penghu National Scenic Area Administration Hopes Visitors Will Help Protect the Coastline
On the 24th, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration mobilized its own staff, contracted cleaning companies, and residents of Chijiu Community, totaling more than 50 people, to carry out a coastal environmental cleanup on Gupoyu Island, helping to maintain a clean and clear coastal landscape.
The scenery is breathtaking: The Pingxi Line becomes sister railway to Japan’s “Dewasanzan Ro Ku Line”
Taiwan Railways’ Pingxi Line is a beloved scenic branch line that many travelers dream of visiting. Taiwan Railways announced that starting April 30, the Pingxi Line will become sister railways with the “Dewasanzan Ro Ku Line” (abbreviated as Yuri Tetsudō) operated by the Yuri Highland Railway in Japan. Both railways retain much of their traditional charm, and feature beautiful riverside views and mountain landscapes along their routes. The partnership aims to promote mutual understanding and encourage more visitors to explore the railway scenery on both sides.
It's not just about World Heritage Sites!: Japanese hotel in Nikko offers "pet-only hot spring"
For many pet owners, their furry companions are part of the family, and they want to bring them along "to broaden their horizons" wherever they go. As more and more pet owners request to travel with their pets, facilities in Japan such as museums, restaurants, karaoke bars, and even hotels have gradually started to allow pets. Among them, one hotel in Nikko even offers a pet-exclusive hot spring pool and an open-air bathhouse.
The "Ocean Star" Observation Restaurant on the Qijin Ferry Has Opened; a Wishing Bell Tower Added to the Rooftop
Visiting the Qijin Ferry Terminal is no longer just about taking the ferry or enjoying an ice cream. The newly opened "Ocean Star Leisure Venue" on the 27th has not only transformed the long-unused second floor into an international observation coffee restaurant but has also opened up the never-before-seen observation rooftop as a wishing bell tower!
The Taroko Express needs a break！The Puyuma will "fill in" on the Western Trunk Line for 1 year
The Puyuma can also be seen on the Western Trunk Line！The Taiwan Railways Administration's (TRA) Taroko Express has been in service for six years, and for vehicle safety reasons, it must undergo regular factory maintenance. TRA announced that starting April 29, the Taroko Express, which originally operated on the Western Trunk Line, will be temporarily replaced by the Puyuma for about one year.
Who says chain business hotels can’t be “hidden gems”? Kyoto-Yahataguchi Business Hotel
Not all of Japan’s “Top 100 Ryokan & Hotels” are famous inns or luxury establishments. Even nationwide chain business hotels can become highly recommended hidden gems if they meet the criteria. Among the most representative business hidden gems is the “Kyoto-Yahataguchi DAIWA ROYNET Hotel.” The best thing about this hotel is its view.
Datengcheng Uncle's Old Dough Noodle Shop – A bowl of dry noodles with four sauces, perfectly savory and salty
A bowl of noodles with four sauces – can you really resist coming to try it if you love dry noodles? Xiaohu sure couldn’t (laughs). Just watch how the old man, unhurried, scoops and pours what must be hundreds of thousands of times, adding “sesame paste, fried sauce, scallion-lard mix, and brine” into the bowl one by one, then skillfully cooking what must also be countless bowls of noodles. Watch as the noodles make a sound like slicing through time and space: “chop, chop.”
Taipei’s Most Beautiful Grand Lake Park Pool Renovated: Green Architecture Blends with Scenic Landscape
Grand Lake Park in Neihu, which has undergone environmental renovations since 2009, announced the completion of its upgrade on the 26th. In addition to the refurbishment and maintenance of park pathways and bridges, the park’s annexed swimming pool has been completely revitalized. It now features both indoor and outdoor pools, with its roof designed as an observation deck, allowing visitors to “ascend for panoramic views” and admire the lake and mountain scenery of Grand Lake Park—truly making it one of Taipei’s most beautiful parks.
Kaiseki-style flounder dishes on the menu at Sheraton Hotel: Summer menu launches in June
With summer just around the corner, Chef Lin Tsung-hsin from Sheraton Taipei Hotel’s Taoyuan branch crafts a kaiseki set featuring sweet, crisp flounder. Priced at NT$2,580+10% per person, this exclusive flounder kaiseki set will be available from June 1 to July 31. It pairs the delicate fish with refreshing ingredients such as scallops, asparagus, and avocado. The set includes a salmon roe and onsen tamago salad, thinly sliced flounder, flounder and scallop mousse with sea urchin sauce, teriyaki beef and asparagus rolls, and grilled flounder rim.
"May Snow" is Falling: Six Camellia Viewing Trails in Taipei City Turn Snow White
As the weather warms up, camellia flowers across Taiwan are blooming one after another. The Taipei City Department of Urban Development has recommended six camellia viewing trails, all just a half-hour drive from the city center, allowing the public to enjoy the "May Snow" scenery without traveling far. The department noted that the trails in Wenshan District—Zhanghu Trail, Zhangshan Temple Trail, and Xianji Rock Trail—as well as those in Xinyi District (Hushan Jifu Temple Trail), Neihu District (Bixi Trail), and Datou Mountain Trail—are all popular spots for camellia viewing.
The Dreamlike Recipes from "The Banquet Chef" — 3 Classic "A-She Dishes" Reimagined at Shanhai Tower
The name "A-She dishes" was once highly prestigious in Taiwanese society during the 1950s and 1960s. Not only were these dishes intricate to prepare, but their ingredients were also meticulously selected. However, due to the high level of difficulty involved in making them, fewer and fewer chefs have mastered these recipes in recent years. Yongfengyu Shengji Company has recently launched three classic "A-She dishes" at their newly opened "Shanhai Tower." By seeking out hidden master chefs and focusing on ingredient sourcing and origin, they aim to revive the classic flavors from Taiwan’s golden era of culinary excellence.
Stroll through Beibu Old Street with a nostalgic heart
Located just about two and a half hours by bus from Taipei, Hsinchu’s Beibu is the perfect spot for a day trip. It's a popular tourist destination bustling with people from Taipei on weekends, and on sunny days, it can get as lively as Tokyo’s Harajuku. This compact town is ideal for leisurely exploration, which is one of the secrets to its charm.
Norway’s Preikestolen: A Natural Wonder Suspended 604 Meters Above Ground
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is located near Forsand in the Ryfylke district of Rogaland County in southwestern Norway. This cliff rises dramatically from the shores of the 42-kilometer-long Lysefjorden, with nearly vertical rock faces plunging 604 meters down to the water. It faces the mountain Kjerag and features a flat, square plateau at its summit, covering approximately 600 square meters. It is believed to have been formed by melting ice around 10,000 years ago and resembles a church pulpit—hence its nickname, “Preacher’s Pulpit.”
The Ambassador Hotel recruits 100 staff; top NTU graduates join the service industry
With the continued growth of the tourism and catering industry, the five-star Ambassador Hotel is holding a “Brand Talent Joint Recruitment” event, aiming to hire 100 employees. This includes positions such as guest services, housekeeping, and F&B management for the upcoming amba Taipei Zhongshan branch, set to open early next year. On April 28, nearly 100 people applied for the positions, with about 30% passing the first round of interviews. Among the applicants were also highly educated individuals from National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and those who have returned from studying abroad.
The room offers a window view of the entire Mount Fuji. The Shizuoka hotel proudly calls itself a "scenery art museum."
When it comes to Mount Fuji, people across Japan may have their own preferences and opinions. However, when speaking of Mount Fuji, the people of Shizuoka can hold their heads high and speak the loudest. In Shizuoka, there is a place that captures the complete and magnificent form of Mount Fuji. On a clear day, the view of Mount Fuji from here is nothing short of spectacular—beyond just being described as "breathtaking."
Special Feature: 4 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Taipei – Ball Pits and Treehouses for Endless Fun
Worried your kids might get bored during meals? Some restaurants focus on family dining, offering kid-friendly meals along with popular play areas like ball pits and treehouses. HowToTrip has compiled a list of four family restaurants in the Greater Taipei area that feature dedicated children’s play zones. Bring your little ones out for a fun family meal this weekend!
Welcoming May’s Azalea Season: Over 400kg of Trash Cleared from Hehuanshan
Every year after the winter snow season in the Hehuanshan Forest Recreation Area, large amounts of trash are often found left behind in the mountains. Ahead of the arrival of the May azalea season, last weekend, staff from the Forestry Bureau and national forest parks, along with their families and volunteers, headed into Hehuanshan to carry out a mountain cleanup. In just three hours, nearly 400 kilograms of trash were collected.
Rent for 1,000 yuan lets you grow 2 pots of vegetables – Sky Farm at Taipei Expo Park now open for adoption
Remember the once wildly popular Facebook game "Happy Farm"? Taipei Expo Park has now set up a "Sky Farm" within the park, offering citizens the chance to adopt simple potted plants and experience the joy of growing their own vegetables. But in land-scarce and expensive Taipei, rent isn’t cheap — the adoption period is three months per term, costing 3,000 yuan per term, which breaks down to 1,000 yuan per month for two pots.
Welcoming the Black Marlin Season: Light Show on Pingtung’s Jinde Bridge Illuminates the Donggang Riverbanks
The Pingtung Black Marlin Festival will kick off on May 3. In addition to decorating Donggang Township with cherry blossom lights, love-themed flower beds, and cherry blossom love chairs to create a romantic ambiance, the Jinde Bridge that spans the Donggang River has been adorned with colorful lights every evening from now on, showcasing a dazzling light show.