Jinzun Coffee is a place you might easily overlook along Provincial Highway 11. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a roadside rest stop with restrooms or a deserted pavilion. Yet, it’s exactly this understated charm that makes it perfect for a romantic seaside afternoon—the real deal of coastal coffee. Sit here, and you’ll have a “land-tied island” right before your eyes. All you hear are foreign songs playing softly in the café, so laid-back you won’t want to leave.
This weekend coincides with Qixi Festival (Valentine’s Day on August 2), and the Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival has launched an early “matching outfits promotion.” As long as you and your partner wear matching couple outfits and come on Friday, August 1, hug each other, and say “I love you,” you can enjoy a sweet and money-saving deal: buy one individual ticket and get the second one free for two people.
ANA All Nippon Airways announced that its brand-new extended Boeing 787-9 aircraft began delivery on July 27 and arrived in Japan on July 29. It is expected to enter service on domestic routes in Japan starting August. Compared to the 787-8, the 787-9 has increased in length from 56.7 meters to 62.8 meters. The first 787-9 will also be configured with 395 seats, 60 more than the current 787-8, and is scheduled to begin international service in April 2015.
Who’s really scaring whom — the ghosts or the people? With Ghost Month upon us in the lunar calendar, haunted house attractions at theme parks across Taiwan have become the go-to spots for thrill-seekers this month. This year, Jianhu Shan Amusement World in Yunlin has come up with a unique twist: before entering the haunted house, visitors can get glowing ghost makeup done, allowing them to turn the tables and scare the ghosts instead — giving them a chance to vent their frustration after being scared all day long.
“Have you had eel today?” If you opened Facebook today, you might have seen many friends posting photos of their meals at Japanese restaurants or unagi specialty shops. That’s because today (July 29) is Doyo no Ushi no Hi in Japan — the day when Japanese people traditionally eat eel.
WD Gourmet has an incredibly diverse menu, making it super suitable for group dining. In the past, they served steak and many creative pasta dishes made by the owner. At night, they even offer late-night meals, featuring super local-style red meat congee paired with various amazing side dishes, such as fried pig liver, red braised pork, etc. Even more impressive is their angelica hand-chopped braised pork rice, which is so full it’s practically overflowing—and it’s only 40 NT$ per bowl. I can only say—boss, with these prices for such dishes, isn’t that a bit too generous?
Hospitals are inevitable stops in the journey of life, birth, aging, sickness, and death, and hospital-related legends are always abundant. In Tainan, there’s an abandoned hospital that netizens claim is Taiwan’s largest haunted house, and it has long been a hotspot for thrill-seekers. When I first thought of visiting, some friends gave me a hard time. It wasn’t about showing off or seeking thrills (my cowardice is well attested by my friends Xiao Yong and Xiao Sheng, XD), but rather because I’d heard so many legends and was just too curious. Plus, the three of us happened to be in Tainan that day.
Authorities from four central Taiwan counties/cities—Taichung, Miaoli, Changhua, and Nantou—have jointly launched the "Central Taiwan Cycling Discount Information E-Coupon" network. The first phase of the project was officially unveiled and put into use on the 30th. In addition to introducing the featured cycling routes in each county/city, the platform also recommends high-quality surrounding tourism industries, including dining, leisure services, hotels and homestays, art and craft shops, hands-on experiences, and tourist factories, ensuring cyclists can enjoy a full experience.
Plump, round wind chimes adorned with light blue, pink, and purple flowers are hung high on bamboo frames, creating a delightful sight just to behold. With the arrival of summer, Hyogo’s Nose Electric Railway has launched the “Wind Chime Train” from today, allowing passengers to enjoy a poetic summer melody as they travel to their destinations.
A wave of rock music is about to sweep through Kaohsiung. The “2014 Summer Kaohsiung” concert, organized by the Kaohsiung City Government’s Information Bureau, will take place on August 9 on Era Boulevard in Qianzheng District. Featuring well-known bands such as Fire EX., MP Magic Power, 831, and Universe People, as well as artists like Yen-j, Bii (Bi Shu-jin), and Yang Cheng-jun, the event will showcase the youthful energy of Kaohsiung’s new generation through punk, electronic, and lyrical rock styles.
The Taipei Municipal Children’s Amusement Park, a shared memory for generations of Taipei residents, is about to close its doors. Its successor, the “Children’s New Wonderland” in Shilin District, is now in the final stages of completion. The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which will operate the new park, has announced that it is expected to open for free public trials by the end of November.
Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it’s common to see families gathering outdoors for barbecues and moon-gazing on Taiwan’s main island. But in Kinmen, everyone is armed with dice as “Bo Bing competitions” take place enthusiastically in streets and alleys. The “Bo Zhuangyuan Bing” (literally “Scholar’s Cake Lottery”), which has been passed down in Kinmen for at least 300 years, has been transformed into a tourist event by the Kinmen County Government, now known as the “2014 Kinmen Mid-Autumn Bo Zhuangyuan Bing Festival.”
I’ve been wanting to try this peng Bing from Boge since last year, but every time I went, I was unlucky and they weren’t open. Finally, I got to try it this time~~~~~
"The will passed down through generations, the changes of the times, people's dreams—none of these can be stopped. As long as people continue to seek the answer of freedom, all of this will never cease!" Fans of the One Piece anime will surely recognize this iconic opening line. This summer (2014), One Piece sets sail for Hong Kong, with the crew inviting everyone to join them in the "Grand Line" and set off toward their dreams.
The renowned celebrity chef from a popular travel cooking show, Jamie Oliver, has launched a restaurant in Hong Kong. Jamie’s Italian, which officially opened on July 29, is the first Jamie Oliver restaurant in the city. With its open kitchen design, diners can enjoy watching the food being prepared, and reservations are already booked up until September, drawing significant attention from local customers.
The Taitung Forest District Office stated that the Jioming Lake Trail is located in a high-altitude environment. Once entering the mountainous area, atmospheric pressure drops and oxygen becomes scarce. Mountain weather, in particular, is highly unpredictable and dangers can arise at any time. Moreover, there have been multiple cases of altitude sickness on the Jioming Lake Trail this year, making it truly inadvisable to hastily organize a trail running event.
It’s said that if you haven’t tried the over-50-year-old traditional Jianhua Ice Shop, you haven’t truly visited Nan’ao. This nearly 60-year-old store is a classic old-school shaved ice shop in Nan’ao Township, and it even has a rare, old-fashioned ice-making machine still in use.
With one month left of summer vacation, have you decided where to go? The international hotel booking website is offering exclusive limited-time summer deals, featuring over 150 popular accommodations in Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Travelers planning to go abroad may want to take a look.
It was a fascinating work trip to Japan. Instead of staying in a hotel, I lodged in a century-old traditional Japanese house inn near Osaka. Staying in such an old house was truly enchanting. The moment you step inside, the scent of hinoki wood wafts through the air, and the warm smile of the innkeeper makes it impossible not to fall in love with the place.
Tired of dazzling fireworks during your summer trip to Japan? Then the "Nara Lantern Festival" might offer you a unique summer experience. Established in 1999, this year’s Nara Lantern Festival will adorn World Heritage sites such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, along with other historic landmarks in Nara, with 20,000 candles from August 5. Visitors can enjoy a different kind of heritage tour.