As summer vacation draws near, it's the perfect time for families to travel abroad. ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud has curated a list of the most beloved amusement parks around the world for its users, offering valuable references for parents planning international trips with their children. In addition to Japan’s Tokyo Disneyland, Osaka Universal Studios, and Southeast Asia’s Legoland, South Korea also offers Everland and Lotte World—great destinations where K-pop moms can enjoy fun-filled trips with their kids.
The day before the Dragon Boat Festival, we strolled to Longtan Pond to watch the dragon boat races. Although we missed the races, we unexpectedly stumbled upon the legendary dish — Longtan Fuyuan q" meat rice. We had passed by many times and always saw long queues outside; it’s said to be a highly recommended eatery among locals.
In conjunction with the Tourism Bureau’s “Summer Solstice 235” event, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration held a lighthouse lighting concert on the evening of the 21st at Taiwan’s oldest lighthouse — Xiyu Fishing Village Island Lighthouse. Thanks to clear weather and the accompaniment of one of Penghu’s Eight Scenic Spots, the “Xiyu Sunset Glow,” the scene was both romantic and moving.
Heading toward the fishing harbor, this stretch of road right next to the beach is the closest to the sea in the entire island-looping journey—and in my heart, it’s the number one roadside view.
Imagine what it would look like if cute, lazy, and chubby cats photobombed world-famous paintings like the Mona Lisa, The Creation of Adam, or The Birth of Venus? Russian artist Vitaly Petrova became an overnight sensation after blending her beloved cat into iconic artworks, creating “chonky cat art” that has cat lovers everywhere completely smitten—and she’s now bringing her solo exhibition to the UK.
Following the Snoopy series, Kaohsiung MRT has launched a new themed painted train again — the Pili Fantasy Train, featuring characters from the Pili puppet show, will run daily starting today. Not only can passengers spot photos of characters such as Jian Zhenzhen and Luo Hou throughout the train, but starting from the 23rd, taking a photo with any of the 10 hidden Pili hero standees located in MRT stations also gives you a chance to win Pili-related gifts.
The century-old Taiwan Railways Fengshan Station, which carries many fond memories of the youth of local residents, officially bid farewell on the evening of the 21st after the last train pulled in at 10 PM, as part of the railway undergrounding policy. Many netizens who heard the news expressed deep regret: “So many memories from my younger days are tied to this place…”
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of “spicy hot pot,” and all-you-can-eat restaurants don’t usually appeal to me either. Both are usually experiences I only agree to when friends invite me. Although I’m not into spicy hot pot and rarely go for all-you-can-eat meals, I’ve often heard of 满堂红 (Mantanghong), which many even rank as the best quality all-you-can-eat spicy hot pot restaurant in Taipei. It was only thanks to my friend “Xiaobao” treating us that I finally got to try it out a year or two after it became popular.
Soaking in hot springs isn’t just for winter anymore. From the 21st onward, the Siraya National Scenic Area will host a series of events titled “Taiwan Summer Solstice 235 – Fun & Relaxing Holiday in Guanziling,” inviting the public to take advantage of their summer vacation to visit Guanziling in Tainan, enjoy the region’s unique mud hot springs, and marvel at the breathtaking sight of swarms of swallowtail butterflies fluttering by.
What is it that truly draws people to amusement parks? Is it the feeling of instantly falling into a dream, or the sense of stepping out of the real world and into a fantastical movie-like scene? Pat, who works in the tourism industry and has visited Japan Universal Studios more than 10 times, says that what made her truly fall in love with Universal Studios Osaka was the moment she first stepped into the park and saw the Sesame Street characters appear before her eyes — an instant rush of surprise.
When you ask Koreans for their top recommended spot in Jeju, nearly half will answer “Sillim-dong Tree-lined Road”! This is a 15-kilometer-long path through a cedar forest, with the surrounding landscape showcasing Jeju Island’s pristine woodland. It’s like stepping into the heart of Jeju’s forests, breathing deeply as you stroll and immersing yourself in nature’s embrace. Whenever fog rolls in, Sillim-dong Tree-lined Road takes on an even more mysterious and dreamlike fairytale quality.
When traveling, there are some places where you just know you’ll love them as soon as you arrive. Last October, I visited Tainan for the first time and instantly fell in love with this picturesque old city. This trip was originally supposed to be spent in Chiayi, but since I wanted to have dinner with a friend from Tainan and visit a brother from the Homestay Culture Development Association, I hopped on a southbound train from the Taiwan Railways Administration and came to Tainan.
Is going out to play the only option for summer vacation? HowToTrip’s Hanpin Hotel in Xinzhuang is launching a parent-child summer camp this summer. Now in its third year, registration is now open. There will be five sessions on weekends from July to August, with each session limited to five families. For NT$3,999 per adult and NT$1,900 per child, you can join the three-day, two-night “Little Chefs” summer camp activity.
Nicknamed the "One-Eyed Dragon," Date Masamune was the lord of Sendai Domain, living in the same era as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He achieved many military feats and fought in several famous battles of the time, always using Sendai as his base. That’s why, once you arrive in Sendai, you’ll see Q-version statues of Date Masamune everywhere – even in bentos, of course!
Japan gains another World Heritage Site ! The “Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage,” which led Japan toward modernization and is known as the “origin of Japanese manufacturing,” was officially designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site at the 21st session of the World Heritage Committee held in Qatar on the 21st, becoming Japan’s 18th World Heritage Site.
Taichung’s Shihkang isn’t one of Taiwan’s most well-known tourist destinations, yet it has recently seen a surge in cycling pilgrimages. The reason? The Shihkang District Office has carefully created a “Jiufang Fairy Tale World Painting Village” in Jiufang Li, Shihkang District, featuring more than 10 3D painted artworks themed around local crops and specialties, adding a fun splash of color to the entire village.
Wondering where to dine out with your furry friend but not sure which restaurants are pet-friendly? "Eastern Media Travel Cloud" has compiled a list of great pet-welcoming eateries across Greater Taipei—some even offer special pet menus, pet boarding services, or go the extra mile by serving dishes just for your pets. Take your four-legged companion out for a fun day out this holiday and treat them to some delicious food.
If you’ve dreamed of pledging your love under the witness of thousand-year-old sacred trees, don’t miss the “Wedding Under the Alishan Sacred Tree” coming this October. This year, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration has specially designed a three-day, two-night wedding travel package that combines the ceremony, wedding photography, and honeymoon — allowing soon-to-be newlyweds to tie the knot without breaking the bank. There’s even a chance for “Taiwan O’Bear” to officiate your wedding!
Summer hasn’t officially arrived yet, but temperatures across Taiwan have been soaring, averaging above 30°C. In the Chiayi area, the mercury even hit a scorching 34°C, making it unbearable for many. On the 22nd, some locals were pleasantly surprised to find that the Whale Pool at Dongshi Fishing Harbor in Chiayi, which usually opens in July, had opened early this year. Many people rushed into the pool to cool off, exclaiming, “So refreshing!”
Tasked with promoting Taiwan’s tourism, “Taiwan Oh Bear” has a packed schedule in the second half of the year. Aside from overseas promotional missions, the adorable mascot will take on various dynamic roles, traveling across the island to participate in countless tourism events. Not only will it attempt to cycle up Wuling, but it will also officiate weddings under the sacred trees of Alishan for couples tying the knot.