Travel
Taro and Grass Jelly Dumplings Available in One Set — Dragon Boat Festival Special Creative Sweet Rice Dumplings from Lufthansa Travel Group
As the Dragon Boat Festival arrives, Lufthansa Travel Group has launched creative sweet rice dumplings this year. Carefully selecting local Hsinchu ingredients like grass jelly and combining them with Tainan taro, they have created the uniquely flavored “Grass Jelly & Taro Ice Dumpling.” From now until June 2, a combo of grass jelly dumplings and purple rice & red bean ice dumplings — the “Lufthansa Preferred Icy Heart Purple & Grass Dumpling Gift Box” (10 pieces, priced at NT$499) — is available.
“Fish” shuttling through the streets of Manila — no two designs are the same, and they stop when you wave
The Philippines is a country made up of more than 7,100 islands, and its capital, Manila, is the city with the most jeeps in the world. Most of the jeeps in Manila are colorfully decorated, and the vast majority are used to carry passengers, stopping when pedestrians wave.
The Dark Knight strikes again at the Hot Air Balloon Festival – Slovakia’s clown-themed balloon takes to the skies in joy!
Taiwan’s annual “Hot Air Balloon Festival,” now in its fourth year, will kick off later this month in Taitung. Last year, the 300-cubic-meter Darth Vader-shaped hot air balloon captured the attention of travelers across Taiwan as soon as it appeared. Earlier, the Taitung County Government announced that this year’s Darth Vader is expected to make another appearance at Luye Gaotai from June 1 to June 19. Additionally, a vividly crafted “clown balloon” from Slovakia will also take flight in late July.
Travel News / Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and Janfusun Fancyworld Offer Big Discounts for Moms
During the Mother’s Day season, theme parks are launching promotions to capture business opportunities. Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and Janfusun Fancyworld have introduced special Mother’s Day offers — Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village tickets are half price, while Janfusun Fancyworld offers tickets for NT$399 plus NT$400 in cash vouchers, giving the public more diverse options beyond just dining out.
Handsome Servers with Wooden Paddles Deliver the Dishes – A Renowned Japanese Robatayaki Restaurant Opens Its First Overseas Branch in Taiwan
The highly acclaimed Japanese grill restaurant “jiji Robatayaki” has opened its first branch in Taiwan. Chairman Masahide Maekawa shared: “We currently have one store in Kagawa, two in Ehime, and this is our fourth location—our very first overseas.” The restaurant retains many authentic Japanese grilling customs and practices, with the most eye-catching being the unique method of serving food on wooden paddles. Their signature dish is tebasaki (chicken wings).
518 Taipei City Museums Day – Explore One Museum, Join the Treasure Hunt & Win Prizes
In response to the annual "International Museum Day" on May 18 designated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) under UNESCO, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs has launched the "518 Taipei City Museums Day" event this year, inviting citizens to join in the celebration at various museums on May 18. On that day, internationally renowned experts will also come to Taiwan to participate in the "Taipei City Museums Forum," exchanging ideas on the future vision of museums.
Can't get a ticket to go home for Mother's Day? Extra high-speed rail services go on sale at midnight on May 8
Taiwan High Speed Rail announced that on Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day), during the evening peak travel period at 18:12, it will operate an additional northbound train, No. 1280, departing from Zuoying Station. The train will make stops in Taichung, Banqiao, and Taipei (arriving at 19:54). Passengers can start purchasing tickets for this additional service from midnight on May 8.
Colorful Rice Fields Appear in Waipu; Black Glutinous Rice Becomes the First Image of Taichung Flower Expo
The Waipu District Farmers' Association used black glutinous rice and regular rice to create a colorful paddy field planting at the Guantai Platform in Yongfeng Village, presenting the theme "2018 International Flower Expo in Taichung." The photos went viral online after being shared, attracting a large number of visitors to the site. It is reported that this rice paddy art display will continue until June 20. Interested individuals are encouraged to seize the opportunity to visit.
New Taipei City’s cross-border free WiFi accounts now available at 50 hotspots in Okinawa starting today
New Taipei City’s globally pioneering “cross-border free WiFi account roaming” service, which previously partnered with Fukuoka in Japan, is now available in Okinawa City starting May 1st. Residents can simply register for a NewTaipei wireless network account online before traveling, and then enjoy free access to 50 “Free Koza Wi-Fi Okinawa City” wireless hotspots during their trip to Okinawa City.
Smiles of children you can't see at the Taipei exhibition – Paper pandas go on tour to over 100 elementary schools
Paper pandas have crossed Taiwan and arrived in Kaohsiung, bringing big smiles to the kids. This morning (8th), more than 800 pandas made their appearance on the playground of Sanpi Elementary School in Luzhu District, Kaohsiung, where children happily hugged and placed the pandas beside them. Following two panda exhibitions in Taipei, the “Left Brain Creative Marketing” team has relaunched its rural elementary school panda tour initiative, aiming to help children understand the importance of ecological conservation.
Love chasing balls? Nine foreign bikers make a special trip to Taiwan to cycle and stay at a “temple”
Whether it's leisurely cycling along the riverside or challenging mountain trails, Taiwan’s cycling environment holds immense appeal for riders. This “kingdom of cycling” is not only beloved by local cyclists but also attracts many adventurous international “cyclists” who want to experience the joy of biking here. Recently, Lishan Hotel, located on the Central Cross-Island Highway, hosted a group of cyclists from Ireland, Germany, and the UK, turning their visit into an extraordinary cultural exchange journey.
Taoyuan International Airport "Plugging Leaks" – Experts Sought to Resolve Issues Once and for All
In early May, Taoyuan International Airport experienced multiple leakage incidents. To address the situation, in addition to stepping up inspections and repairs, the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation will invite licensed experts in architecture, design, structural engineering, waterproofing, and related fields from both Taiwan and abroad to form a special task force on the 9th of this month (tomorrow) to discuss improvement plans aimed at completely resolving the problem. The airport company deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to travelers by these incidents.
Uni Air to Increase Taipei-Taitung Flights Starting June – Bookings Now Open
In response to the peak tourist season, Uni Air will add more round-trip flights between Taipei and Taitung starting June 1, with online reservations now available. The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off at the end of May, and Uni Air has scheduled additional flights every Monday and Sunday from June 1 between Taipei–Taitung and Taitung–Taipei. Passengers can book through the Uni Air official website or mobile app.
Thousands of trumpet lilies bloom in unison, welcoming visitors with their fragrant white sea of flowers at Neishuangxi Nature Center
As May arrives and nature gradually matures, the lily fields at Neishuangxi Nature Center have also burst into full bloom. As Taipei City’s first forest-based environmental education site, the center is planted with thousands of trumpet lilies that reliably bloom every May. The trumpet-shaped blooms create a uniquely scenic sight. This year, the lilies along the Bixi Industrial Road kicked off the blooming season in early May, followed by those within the park in mid-May, with the flowering period lasting about 20 days.
2014 Taiwan International Boat Show Opens — Mayor Chen Chu: Expected to Generate NT$5 Billion in Business
The “2014 Taiwan International Boat Show” officially opened today (the 8th), with 168 domestic and international exhibitors showcasing premium luxury yachts and related equipment and parts over four consecutive days at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu stated that the city’s yacht industry is one of its most competitive sectors, and this exhibition is expected to generate NT$5 billion in business opportunities, helping to establish Kaohsiung's reputation as the "Boat City" of Taiwan.
Eight Silver-Haired Wellness Routes: Grandparents Can Easily Enjoy Tamsui Too
From May to December 2014, every 8th of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, the Tamsui Historic Sites Museum under the New Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs will host the free “New Taipei Silver Age Day – Explore Tamsui Historic Sites” museum care series for senior citizens, featuring health-promoting walking activities. Seniors aged 65 and above are invited to explore the historical memories of the greater Tamsui area with the Tamsui Historic Sites Museum, achieving a healthy and joyful lifestyle.
Peak tourist season flights in high demand—Uni Air and TransAsia add 20,000 extra seats to Penghu
The peak tourist season in Penghu begins every April, and flights are always in high demand. The Penghu County Government Tourism Department has coordinated with the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and so far this year, over 20,000 additional flight seats have been added from Taiwan proper to Makung Airport.
Eight New Bicycle Trails Around Sun Moon Lake – Admire Golden Dragon Mountain Sea of Clouds & Explore Puli’s Countryside
The lakeside cycling path around Sun Moon Lake has been ranked among the world’s top 10 most beautiful bike routes, thanks to the stunning lake-and-mountain scenery of Nantou. With cycling growing in popularity, the rural roads between Sun Moon Lake and Puli have also been discovered in recent years, becoming hidden gems for biking enthusiasts.
“Mysterious Blue Tears Sparkle Like Starlight”—First Sighting in Kinmen!
The transition between spring and summer each year is the peak season for the so-called Blue Tears (bioluminescent plankton, or Noctiluca scintillans). Not to be outshone by Matsu, recent sightings of Blue Tears have been reported in the southern waters of Kinmen, leaving locals in awe and attracting travelers and residents to gather by the shore at night hoping to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder.
Pingxi Mini Trip Essay Contest / Sky Lanterns – A Beautiful Hope for Taiwanese and a Source of Pride for Travelers
For a backpacker, the “most important celebration in the world” is none other than the sky lantern moment in Taiwan’s Pingxi. Hundreds or even thousands of lanterns, each inscribed with wishes, take to the skies. Watching them ascend feels as if your own hopes are also being sent to the heavens. The entire night sky glows brilliantly, impossible to look away from.