Travel
Adorable Snowmen Make Their Debut at the Tohoku Play Day in Japan – Featuring the Super Popular Akita Dog
Snow huts and snowmen have mysteriously appeared at Huashan. What’s going on? It turns out the annual Tohoku Play Day in Japan has kicked off. Not only has it introduced giant lanterns from Aomori’s Nebuta Festival to Taiwan for the first time, but it has also created a romantic and unique Akita Snow Hut Festival. A giant, super popular Akita dog is stationed there as well, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich culture of Japan’s Tohoku region without leaving the country. Come and embark on a cultural journey through the six prefectures of Northeastern Japan.
Cruise ship port calls hit a new high Hualien Port welcomes the arrival of Costa Serena
The Chinese cruise ship Costa Serena, which travels between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, arrived at Hualien Port today (June 25) carrying more than 1,600 mainland tourists, becoming the last tourist cruise to visit Hualien Port in the first half of this year. Compared to last year when only a handful of visits were made to Taiwan, the number of Costa Serena’s island-looping voyages has increased to 14 this year. It has also introduced a “Keelung–Taichung–Kaohsiung–Hualien” itinerary for travel across Taiwan from north to south.
10 Hidden Highlights You Absolutely Can’t Miss When Visiting Diagon Alley
The second Harry Potter-themed area at Universal Orlando Resort in the U.S., Diagon Alley, is set to officially open on July 8. As the opening date draws nearer, key attractions within the area are being gradually revealed. Below are some of the hidden highlights of Diagon Alley as introduced by BuzzFeed. If you’re planning to visit Diagon Alley this summer, don’t miss these out!
The Hand-Forged Iron Shop in the Centuries-Old Zhushan Town — A Father and Son at Work, Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Sight
The brick wall by the entrance has been worn away over time, leaving several irregularly shaped indentations. Guo Qing-shun, the fourth-generation owner of Laifa Iron Shop, reaches through one of the holes to retrieve a letter. The letter contains a sketch of the mountain-opening knife the sender wants — a curved surface extending along the spine of the blade, with a sharp tip and an exquisitely crafted handle. “This person wrote to me specifically to request this knife design. I made one for them over ten years ago too,” says Guo Qing-shun.
East Japan Railway Holidays Launches One-Day Mini Trips – Tateyama Kurobe Becomes the Latest Route
This summer, do you want to pick fruits, visit theme parks, explore farms, enjoy the seaside, or escape to the mountains? “East Japan Railway Holidays” has specially launched a variety of one-day mini trip packages, including the brand-new Tateyama Kurobe Alps route. Perfect for families or friends traveling together, these trips can be purchased in Taiwan. Just take a train from Tokyo to easily reach your destination and embark on a joyful journey.
Taller than the Burj Khalifa — Wuhan to Build World’s Tallest Phoenix Towers
No one can limit China’s reach for the sky. Less than a year after the cancellation of an 838-meter tower project in Changsha, China, architects are already planning an even taller structure. China is set to build two Phoenix Towers in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, standing approximately 1 kilometer high. These will become the tallest towers in the world, with completion expected in 2017/2018.
Learn Hangzhou cuisine easily！Tianxianglou’s top chef DIY class is highly recommended
Lizhi Tianxianglou launched its “Chef’s Private Hangzhou Cuisine DIY Class” series for the first time on July 19, 2014. Comprising four lessons in total, the small-group sessions allow participants to learn about Hangzhou cuisine and cook these dishes at home for their loved ones after the course. This “Chef’s Private Hangzhou Cuisine DIY Class” is personally taught and demonstrated by Chef Lin Binghong of Lizhi Tianxianglou.
Taiwan’s First Nighttime Walking Tour Route – A Stroll Through the Old Town of Five Channels Under Starlight
The Michelin Three-Star City Tour Series in Tainan, “A Stroll Through the Old Town of Five Channels,” was officially launched today (25th) at a press conference attended by Chen Chun-an, Director of Tainan City Government’s Tourism Bureau, and Li Yan-yu, District Chief of West Central District. The guided tour “A Stroll Through the Old Town of Five Channels” will commence next Friday (July 4) at 7:00 PM. The meeting point is at the intersection of Haian Road and Shennong Street. Members of the public can start registering online via the reservation system from this Thursday (June 26) at 8:00 AM.
London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 Opens; Queen Unveils New Terminal
London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 officially opened on the 23rd. The terminal has been named in honor of the British monarch — the Queen’s Terminal. Queen Elizabeth II personally attended the ceremony to unveil the new terminal, giving the event special significance.
Shocking news: Century egg tofu & almond — a Taiwanese summer treat even Germans love
Can you imagine the texture of century egg tofu blended into a smoothie? Jurgen Klemm, the German general manager of Taipei Dynasty Hotel who has been in Taiwan for over 20 years, recommends the “Almond Tea Century Egg Tofu Smoothie.” He says, “Not only is there no pungent smell, but the smoothness of the tofu and almond tea makes it incredibly easy to drink.”
Electrification Project of the Hualien-Taitung Railway Ministry of Transportation: Safety Guaranteed by Experts
The Ministry of Transportation stated that the preparatory work before the opening of the electrified Hualien-Taitung Railway has been recognized by an international independent verification and validation (IV&V) agency as meeting operational standards. Additionally, a commissioning team composed of scholars and experts invited by the Ministry conducted an on-site inspection, which passed and issued an operating permit, confirming that the railway meets operational safety standards.
Tainan’s Second-Largest Night Market, “Dadong Night Market,” Boasts a Wide Variety of Stalls That Never Get Old
Everyone knows that night markets are the go-to for ordinary Taiwanese people’s nightlife, and Tainan and Kaohsiung are particularly outstanding in this regard—not only are their venues large and numerous, with almost daily occurrences, but they’re also all very well-known. Dadong Night Market in East Tainan is held regularly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays—three times a week—and is the second-largest night market after Garden Night Market.
Water, Ice, Dance！Beat the Heat this Summer at Eastern Resort Hotels – Mountain & Sea
As the scorching summer heralds the arrival of the holiday season, Eastern Resort Hotel Group’s Eastern Ocean Hot Spring Hotel and Eastern Mountain Resort Hotel have launched the “2014 Cool Summer Holiday” this July and August, featuring three key summer elements — “Water,” “Ice,” and “Dance.” The goal is to help guests escape the stress of city life and recharge with renewed energy.
Nurturing local talent: The Okura Prestige Taipei selects six Taiwanese employees for training in Japan
Since its opening in August 2012, The Okura Prestige Taipei has been committed to staff development, aiming to “cultivate our own service experts.” This midsummer of 2014 will see not only a welcome and farewell event for interns but also a send-off ceremony for six elite employees embarking on overseas training. The first group of six elite team members will be sent to train at The Okura in Japan.
"Northeastern belles" in sheer gowns can be taken home for just 30 yuan
Many say that women from China's Northeast region are tall with striking facial features, and their bold, unreserved personalities often captivate many men. Yet these seemingly unattainable northeastern beauties can actually be found everywhere in local markets.
Train enthusiasts, look here！ Taiwan's 6 most distinctive train stations — wooden structures and fan-shaped stations full of nostalgic charm
Endless railway tracks always spark boundless imagination and hope. Whether for returning home or setting out on a journey, each carriage carries passengers' chatter, while train stations bear the sorrow of parting and the joy of reunions. Taiwan boasts a variety of stations, including wooden ones, Baroque-style ones, and fan-shaped stations. "Eastern Travel Cloud" has compiled a list of 6 unique stations and depots in Taiwan. Pack your bags and get ready to go！
Central Taiwan’s Gōngyì Road: A Foodie Hotspot with 15 Must-Try Restaurants
Located at the intersection of Gōngyì Road and Dàdūn Intersection in Taichung City, “Akakichi Teppanyaki Steak” hung a banner on the 3rd announcing its relocation to Taiwan Boulevard, about 2 kilometers away, in mid-December. It is understood that the main reason for the move was the rent surge from NT$300,000 to NT$800,000 per month. Although Akakichi is leaving, Gōngyì Road and its surrounding areas have long been a top-tier food destination, home to a plethora of restaurants. ETtoday News Cloud has compiled a list of 16 popular restaurants on Gōngyì Road that are worth adding to your food itinerary when visiting Taichung.
Taichung BRT shuttle bus “Blue Line 2” free for 7 days starting July 26
To coincide with the upcoming launch of the BRT system, Taichung City has introduced the BRT Circular Green Energy Shuttle Bus “Blue Line 2,” which will operate in left and right loops departing from Taichung Railway Station and connecting major attractions in Central, West, and North Districts. Starting July 26, the public can enjoy a seven-day free trial ride.
China Airlines flight from Osaka to Kaohsiung diverted to Naha due to suspected oil leak, delayed by 6 hours
China Airlines flight discovers oil leak and makes emergency landing. Flight CI167 from Osaka to Kaohsiung, today (26th), experienced a suspected oil leak mid-flight as detected by the captain. Originally scheduled to return to Taiwan at 2:50 PM, the flight was diverted to Naha Airport in Okinawa, resulting in a delay of over 6 hours.
Major Renovation of Alishan Forest Railway Carriages: 9 Accessibility-Friendly Cars
People with limited mobility will soon be able to comfortably ride the Alishan Forest Railway and enjoy the beauty of the mountain forests along the way. The Alishan Forest Railway has undertaken a major interior renovation of 59 carriages, with 9 of them being equipped with wheelchair spaces and accessible restrooms. The project is expected to be completed by the end of June.