Travel
Tamsui Customs Wharf Revives Its Former Glory & Will Open to the Public in November
A new attraction is coming to Tamsui’s beautiful riverside scenery. Originally a military site, Tamsui Customs Wharf was allocated free of charge to the New Taipei City Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau by the Ministry of National Defense. After the bureau’s restoration efforts, the main structure of the historic site has been repaired and the surrounding walls have been removed. It is expected
Vision / Must-read Hidden Gems Before Your Trip: 7 Senior-Friendly Travel Routes
Still wondering how to take your parents on a trip? Vision has planned 7 travel routes.
Are Taiwanese tourists exempt from visa fees? Tourism Authority of Thailand: No information received
Earlier, foreign media reported that the Thai government would waive visa fees for Taiwanese and mainland Chinese travelers for three months. It is understood that Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDB), stated at a press conference on the 16th that Army Commander-in-Chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha had agreed to the visa fee exemption proposal during a meeting with business executives yesterday.
Lotte Hotel Guam Opens with a Highlight: Infinity Pool Overlooking Tumon Bay
In response to the ever-increasing number of tourists, the newly renovated Lotte Hotel Guam has officially opened just before the peak summer travel season. The hotel boasts 222 ocean-view suites overlooking Tumon Bay, and features a stunning infinity pool with sea views. Guests can walk to Guam’s most vibrant entertainment district, Pleasure Island, in just a few minutes.
27 roast ducks sold out instantly upon coming out of the oven — you might not get any without a phone reservation!
Kaohsiung’s roast duck is quite famous. In addition to the previously introduced Renwu Roast Duck, Zhen Weidao Roast Duck in Zuoying is just as well-known. Though it doesn’t have the hundreds-of-square-meters space that Renwu Roast Duck boasts, its business is equally booming. That day, my husband was especially craving roast duck. Remembering we hadn’t yet tried Zhen Weidao Roast Duck, he drove me to Zuoying Dadao in the military dependents’ village of Zuoying to find the roast duck that everyone says sells out instantly.
“Top 20 Best Airports in the World”: Taoyuan Ranks 18th, 10th in Asia
Skytrax, known as the “Oscars of the aviation industry,” recently released its 2014 rankings of the world’s best airports and airlines. Singapore Changi Airport once again retained its title as the world’s No. 1, while Taiwan’s Taoyuan Airport saw a significant improvement this year, ranking 18th globally and 10th among the best airports in Asia.
Exciting news: The Forestry Bureau captures rare footage of a leopard cat catching a mouse
Leopard cats, after years of field population studies in recent years, have been found only in small wild populations in the Taichung, Nantou, and Miaoli areas, with an estimated total of fewer than 500 individuals. They are now classified as an endangered protected species. Their habitats are under severe threat and shrinking due to development projects such as road construction. The Forestry Bureau has promoted leopard cat monitoring surveys for many years, and at the end of last month, for the first time, it captured footage of a leopard cat catching a Formosan white-bellied rat in a state-owned forest in Zhuolan Township, Miaoli County — an exciting development.
The SpongeBob Pop-Up Store Opens on December 7th – The Adorable SpongeBob on Cupcakes Is Too Cute to Eat
Are you a huge SpongeBob fan? Taiwan’s first SpongeBob POP-UP STORE has landed on the first floor of Taipei’s Vieshow Cinemas Xinyi, running from December 7th to January 21st, 2018. In addition to large SpongeBob and Patrick plush toys and various licensed merchandise, the store also features limited-edition sweets that will make your heart melt – fondant SpongeBob and Patrick are so adorable you won’t want to eat them.
Yilan’s Yellow Rocking Horse “Rocks” into Keelung – Ocean Plaza Celebrates Ghost Festival
The giant yellow wooden horse from Sanyi Township in Yilan — “Rocking Rocking Horse” — is bidding farewell to its hometown for now. Starting today, it will head to Keelung and be displayed at Ocean Plaza for 40 days, bringing a playful new charm to Keelung’s harborfront and hopefully attracting more tourists.
Surviving at 100°C? Yilan Has the Astonishing "Turtle-Strange Square Crab"
In the hot summer, a big plate of freshly boiled crabs is always on the table when traveling. But in the submarine hot springs of Guishan Island in Yilan, there lives a unique creature—the "Turtle-Strange Square Crab." It thrives in hot springs filled with sulfur crystals and temperatures as high as 140°C. Locals also call it the "crab by the hot pot," making it an extremely rare ecosystem in the world.
Teenagers get discounts on high-speed rail 50–70% off from July 21
July and August are peak travel seasons during summer vacation. Taiwan High Speed Rail has launched the “Teenagers’ High-Speed Rail Discount Program.” From July 21 to August 31, teenagers aged 12 and above but under 19 can enjoy 50% or 70% discounts when traveling on designated trains. Passengers must present a photo ID with date of birth to qualify for the discount.
Hualien Golden Needle Flower Season Draws Huge Crowds; Traffic Control Starts Aug. 8, Banning Large Buses
The Hualien Golden Needle Flower Season kicks off on August 8. The sea of golden flowers has attracted large numbers of tourists to the mountains over the years. To manage the heavy traffic and ensure road safety and the quality of travel experiences, after an on-site inspection, the Yuli Branch of the National Police Agency and the Fuli Township Office have decided to regulate traffic routes. Starting August 8, all roads in Chikushan and Liushishi Mountains will prohibit Class A and B large buses from entering.
Join us on July 19th to hike the Hengling Ancient Trail on Yangmingshan and explore a mysterious air-raid shelter
Located within Yangmingshan National Park, the Hengling Ancient Trail has connected the Hushan and Hudi areas for over a century. Winding gently along the foothills of Shamao Mountain, the area also hides a little-known three-story underground air-raid shelter covering about 700 pyeong (approximately 2,300 square meters). On July 19th (Saturday), the Geotechnical Engineering Office of Taipei City Government’s Public Works Department is hosting a guided ecological tour of the trail, where participants can observe the rich flora and fauna along the ancient path and uncover the mysteries of the Caoshan Air-Raid Shelter.
Taichung’s Public Bikes “iBike” Make Their Debut — Non-Members Can Also Rent Them
The eye-catching orange-colored Taichung public bicycle system “iBike” officially launched today (the 18th). Starting immediately, demonstration stations have been set up at three locations — Taichung City Hall, Qiu Hong Valley, and Feng Chia University — where the public can rent bikes. To allow more people to ride iBike around Taichung, the Taichung City Department of Transportation has introduced two rental methods. In the future, both domestic and international tourists can easily rent an iBike with just a credit card, even without becoming a member.
A Three-Day Foodie & Sightseeing Spree in Tainan’s Historic City — So Many Attractions and Snacks, Still Not Enough
Just after ringing in the New Year, I embarked on a long-awaited trip to Tainan’s historic city. Although I’m from southern Taiwan, Tainan has always felt unfamiliar to me. I’ve heard countless times that Tainan boasts an overwhelming variety of street food and is a cultural hub filled with historical landmarks. So this time, I packed my itinerary to the brim and even planned to try numerous beef noodle soup spots for a hearty feast.
Mount Fuji Celebrates One Year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site & Gives Away Round-Trip Flights Between Taipei and Shizuoka
In (2013), during the 37th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, Japan’s Mount Fuji was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List. Now, one year has passed. The Taiwan Office of Shizuoka Prefecture – “The Land of Mount Fuji, Japan” – invites the public to join the celebration by taking part in an online quiz. The grand prize is a round-trip flight for two between Taipei and Shizuoka worth approximately NT$27,000.
Authentic local cuisine right here — the energy of Keelung people lives on Xiaosan Road.
Located near the harbor and train station, Xiaosan Road is lined with commission agencies and customs brokers. Wherever ships dock, entertainment follows. The former “teahouses” used to cluster here too, and the vibrant, colorful heyday of Keelung’s bustling port life is etched into the winding alleys and eateries around this street. Unlike the delicate snacks of Tainan, what Keelung’s migrants seek isn’t refinement — but full-bodied vigor: simple, hearty fare perfect for pairing with drinks.
28-day dry-aged beef – its irresistible tender texture makes you reluctant to stop chewing
When staying in the West District of Taichung, besides Qianmei Eslite Greenery Avenue, nothing is more familiar than the HOTEL ONE building. It can almost be considered the tallest and most visible landmark in the area, with its sleek, modern, tech-inspired design that stands out prominently.
“Solve your own problems.” The only way to address the “invasion” of 7-Eleven in Orchid Island
I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me about the so-called “invasion” of 7-Eleven in Orchid Island and what I think about it. To be honest, I don’t think I’m qualified to comment on this issue, but I truly love this land, so I still want to share my thoughts. Clearly, these are my personal views and do not represent the stance of our team.
National Highway 3’s Liuying Interchange Opens Today, Significantly Reducing Travel Time
The Liuying Interchange on National Highway 3 opened today (the 19th). Previously, the drive from the Wushantou Interchange on National Highway 3 to the Deyuanpi Dutch Village and the Liuying Science and Technology Industrial Park took 25 minutes, but it will now be reduced to just 5 to 10 minutes. This greatly shortens travel time to the Liuying area and connects Baihe, Dongshan, Liuying, and Liujia into a complete tourist route, promoting the development of the mountainous axis along National Freeway No. 2 in Tainan as well as the tourism corridor in the Liuying area.