Travel
Enjoy Hualien’s famous bread without crossing the mountains — a brunch spot from the hinterlands
Why does the title say it’s handmade baking from Hualien? Because The Baker is a brand-new brunch and lunch spot launched by Hualien’s renowned “Mantingfang Bakery.” Already famous in Hualien for its handmade meals, especially its baking and bread, the brand has now chosen to open a branch in the highly competitive area of Fengjia, Taichung — a clear sign of their confidence.
Taipei Far Eastern Shangri-La Undergoes Room Renovation; Second Night Free Starting June 13
The guest rooms at Shangri-La’s Far Eastern, Taipei have been completely refurbished. From June 13 to August 31, the hotel is launching an exceptional “Stay 1+1” promotion. During this period, guests staying in a Prestige Room can enjoy one of three great options: the second night free, the second room on the same night free, or an upgrade to an Executive Room. The total value of the discount can be as high as 35% off. The promotional rate starts from NT$10,857, averaging just NT$5,429 per night.
Well-established Kaohsiung travel agency Yi Hua Travel collapses unexpectedly, over 1,200 travelers affected
Kaohsiung-based Yi Hua Travel shocked the industry on the 10th with its sudden, unexpected closure, leaving an estimated over 1,200 travelers affected. It is the largest-scale and highest-value travel agency collapse in terms of victim impact in nearly seven years. Industry insiders noted that the company was a long-standing Class A travel agency in Kaohsiung and had previously taken on tour packages for around 1,000 employees of a life insurance company. The first group was set to depart on the 10th but ended up “waiting for no one” at the airport. The sudden collapse came as a surprise to the industry.
Macau’s "Experiential DreamWorks" Stars to Arrive in Taiwan – Street Party Kicks Off in Taipei on the 14th
The animated stars of "Experiential DreamWorks" are coming to Taiwan for a party extravaganza！ On June 14 and June 15, the "Macau Summer PA" event will be held at the New Century Plaza in front of Taipei Main Station. Three beloved animated characters from "Experiential DreamWorks" — Alex from *Madagascar*, Po from *Kung Fu Panda*, and Shrek from *Shrek* — will take to the streets of Taipei to get kids and families dancing and grooving, kicking off the summer vacation with joy and fun！
The FIFA World Cup is approaching – Top 5 Taiwanese hotels perfect for watching the matches
In response to football fever, a well-known hotel booking website has compiled a complete World Cup guide, featuring hotels across Taipei, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan that are ideal for match viewing. It offers locals a unique viewing experience and lets them feel the passionate charm of the World Cup in a whole new way.
Travel with “Vietnam’s Lin Chi-ling”! Helen Thanh Đào takes 30 fans on a tour of Ho Chi Minh City
Helen Thanh Đào, a Taiwanese-Vietnamese actress dubbed “Vietnam’s Lin Chi-ling,” today (12th) led 30 enthusiastic Taiwanese fans to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a four-day close-up travel experience. Helen even covered part of the fans’ travel expenses out of her own pocket. Due to the May 13 Vietnam riot incident, Helen’s identity has once again drawn attention from the Taiwanese public.
He held his elderly mother’s hand and danced with her on the ship... A touching sight you can only see on a cruise.
Besides enjoying the various entertainment facilities on board, the unique scenery exclusive to cruises is also a major draw for many cruise enthusiasts. Imagine waking up in the morning, stepping out onto your balcony, and being greeted by the endless ocean, or lying on the deck at night, embracing the starry sky—it feels incredibly freeing. The reporter took a voyage on the SuperStar Virgo from Kaohsiung to Hong Kong and collected three “cruise-exclusive views” throughout the journey for travelers’ reference.
World Cup fever soars into the skies: Emirates unveils the “Pelé-liveried” aircraft
As one of the main sponsors of this year’s FIFA World Cup, Emirates recently unveiled its first Boeing 777-300ER “Pelé-liveried” aircraft. The plane’s livery features FIFA World Cup imagery designed by Emirates, along with the signature of football legend Pelé.
Dine at night markets, draw lucky gift bags, and get shopping vouchers if your name has “food-related meanings”
Night markets can be considered an important part of Taiwan’s grassroots culture and are great places for many to enjoy delicious food. The “2014 Taipei Night Market Food Festival” promotional event, organized by the Taipei City Market Administration, was held on June 13 at Guangzhou Street Night Market and on June 14 at Shuangcheng Street Night Market. In addition to offering lucky gift bags and challenge stamp activities, participants whose names sound like food ingredients could also receive shopping discount vouchers.
So cute it hurts!!! Do you know where the internet-famous “Totoro Bus Stop” is?
Built against a hillside with views of Keelung Harbor, Zhongzheng Park is arguably Keelung’s most well-known tourist attraction. In addition to the massive statue of Guanyin and the always-smiling statue of Maitreya Buddha, there’s now a Totoro bus stop mural at the original location of Shoushan Pavilion. The chubby Totoro, holding an umbrella and waiting for the bus with an adorable, clueless expression, suddenly comes to life right before your eyes.
Michelin two-star chef takes the helm at Far East Shangri-La Eel dishes launched on June 13
From June 13 to 14, the Far East Shangri-La restaurant invites renowned Michelin two-star chef Kazuo Takagi to present a variety of conger eel dishes, followed by a limited-time Summer Japanese Conger Eel Feast available until July 15. The lunch experience is available early at just NT$1,580+10% per person, while the kaiseki dinner is NT$2,800+10% per person.
IG-popular Tainan hot-pressed toast | Limited daily "Strawberry Pearl" new flavor
A limited-edition hidden menu item exclusive to strawberry season, available only in limited quantities each day—come late and you’ll miss out. These crispy-outside, soft-inside hot-pressed toasts are filled with fresh strawberries and rich custard sauce. The strawberries are big and not too sour, making them incredibly satisfying. The T&F handmade toast flagship store is on Datong Road, while the Anping branch just opened in early October.
Street Friends Take You on a Deep Dive: An Alternative Tour of Taipei, Reviving the Old Charm of Wanhua
How can you experience Taipei differently? See the city through the eyes of those who call its streets home and discover another side of Taipei. The Taiwan Banyan Heart Charity Association, founded by a group of social workers dedicated to the welfare of the homeless, began a “Homeless as Tour Guides” training program in collaboration with Wanhua Community College in 2013, aiming to introduce Mengjia (Wanhua) from a perspective distinct from that of historians and cultural experts.
From June 19, students traveling in groups on high-speed rail to return home can enjoy a 50% discount
Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation announced today (June 12) that, in order to provide discounted travel services for university students returning home, it will launch the “University Students Group Return Home Special Program” from June 19 to 30, 2014. During this period, any group of 20 or more university students who book seats in the standard class with assigned seating on designated trains, and whose group members are traveling on the same train and departing from the same origin station, can enjoy a 50% discount. A total of 12 days are covered, with 212 discounted train services available (applicable train services).
Ocean Music Party & Water Activities: Have Fun in Penghu with the Lami Girls
Lamigo Nami-ko International Travel Agency previously launched nature-filled Penghu camping trips in 2005 and 2010. On June 12, it unveiled a new summer travel concept in Penghu that combines camping, night fishing, canoeing, and oyster reef holding, while also highlighting the participation of the Lami Girls — the cheerleading squad of the Lamigo Monkeys professional baseball team — adding a delightful touch to the Penghu experience.
Climbing Dams in Switzerland, Scaling Scaffolding in London – Travel Challenges That Test Your Limits
Tired of sightseeing only at ground level? More and more people are now combining travel with pushing their personal limits. In Switzerland, some choose to climb a 540-foot (approximately 167-meter) dam as a way to explore. In London, others hang one-handed from scaffolding over 500 feet high like they’re on a pull-up bar, taking in the city views. And then there’s the adventure of sleeping on a cliff in Venezuela — all experiences that daredevils are welcome to try.
Kenting National Park Hosts New Street "Trawling" Event – Head Out to Sea to Catch Fish
On June 29 (Sunday), Kenting National Park Headquarters will hold the “New Street Trawling Fishing Village Fun” event, taking visitors to the New Street fishing village to experience the traditional method of cooperative trawling used by fishermen in the olden days. The seine net fishing method, commonly known as “trawling,” involves using the sandy shore as a base, bringing the net to the appropriate sea area, and then pulling it back to the shore by manpower to complete the catch.
The whole city is your charging station！USB sockets installed on Tainan buses and bus shelters
Smartphones are ubiquitous, but if they suddenly run out of power, you could find yourself in a bind with no way to use them. The Tainan City Government’s Transportation Bureau has selected 10 high-usage bus stops (shelters) in the Tainan area, as well as 11 newly launched low-floor buses, to install USB charging ports. As long as you bring your own charging cable, you can take advantage of wait times to charge your smartphone for free.
New landmark "Golden Dragon Bestowing Auspiciousness" debuts on Maokong Gondola; enjoy an extra stop at no extra cost with a great-value ticket
The Taipei Guiding Palace has recently expanded its recreational areas for the public by establishing two distinctive zones: the "Nine Emperors Star Park" and the "Twelve Zodiac Educational Park." Additionally, a new landmark, "Golden Dragon Bestowing Auspiciousness," has been unveiled near the Maokong Gondola Guiding Palace Station. This lifelike golden dragon sprays spiritual springs in the Azure Pool of the Immortal-Welcoming Pavilion, symbolizing prosperity.
Only yellow color and fluffy texture indicate pure rice noodles. Anything with less than 90% rice content should be renamed.
Starting from July, any rice noodle product with less than 50% rice content must be renamed as "cooked noodles" or "water noodles," while those with over 50% rice content must be relabeled as "blended rice noodles." Only noodles made with 100% pure rice can be labeled as "rice noodles." As a result, over 90% of currently available rice noodles on the market will need to be renamed. The Food and Drug Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that for products manufactured after July 1st, if labeling has not been updated, fines can range from NT$40,000 to NT$4 million.