Travel
No need to fly — enjoy air-freighted Okayama white peaches from Japan now on sale in Taiwan
Okayama Prefecture in Japan is famous for its juicy, tender white peaches. Now you can enjoy them in Taiwan without flying all the way to Japan. Air-freighted fresh Okayama white peaches are now available at the underground market of a major supermarket in Taipei, along with cute Momotaro-themed gifts. Travelers interested in Japanese fruits should definitely check it out.
Domestic airlines offer round-trip flights between Kaohsiung and Hualien — get a 3-day, 2-night stay at a design hotel for free
Traveling by plane is the most time-efficient mode of transportation, but airfare and accommodation often make up the largest portion of travel expenses. Domestic airlines have partnered with hotel operators to launch a “Buy Flight, Get Accommodation” promotion. For just NT$4,610 per person, you can get a round-trip flight between Kaohsiung and Hualien plus a 3-day, 2-night stay at a design hotel.
143-Year-Old Craftsmanship: Shanghai’s Nanxiang Xiaolongbao Technique Listed as China’s Cultural Heritage
Shanghai’s renowned “Nanxiang Xiaolong Making Technique” was included on August 13 in the fourth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage representative projects by the Ministry of Culture. The making technique of Nanxiang Xiaolong steamed buns at Guyi Garden has a history of 143 years since its inception in 1871. Its secret filling recipe and craftsmanship have been passed down through six generations of masters and apprentices. The flagship store located at the Old City God Temple sees long queues every day.
Irresistibly fragrant, melt-in-your-mouth grilled nigiri sushi that keeps you coming back for more
Back in July last year, I came to Rikka Sushi for my birthday dinner and was immediately hooked by its affordable prices and delicious flavors. It’s just a shame it’s so far from where I live—otherwise, I’d probably come here every week. This time, I was invited by Rikka Sushi to dine here again just before my birthday, which made me really happy. I heard there were also plenty of special treats today.
In response to the peak travel season in the Southern Hemisphere, China Airlines launches flights to Christchurch, New Zealand in December
To meet the growing demand for both passenger and cargo travel during the Southern Hemisphere’s peak travel season, China Airlines is expanding its presence in the New Zealand and Australia market. Starting December 1, the airline will launch seasonal scheduled flights to Christchurch, New Zealand, operating three times a week. This new service offers travelers a convenient route from Taoyuan, Taiwan, via Sydney, Australia, to Christchurch.
Budget airlines can now offer in-flight LINE messaging: AirAsia to launch onboard WiFi service by year-end
The onboard WiFi system developed by AirAsia over five years is expected to be officially launched by the end of this year (2014). It will initially be available on all AK flights, including the Taipei-Kota Kinabalu route, before gradually being rolled out across all AirAsia Group aircraft. AirAsia will then become the first low-cost carrier in Taiwan to offer WiFi service.
The development of hotels in Macau is heating up, and industry players are optimistic about opportunities in the "new Macau" market.
The development of Macau is becoming increasingly intense. Currently, there are about 28,000 hotel rooms in Macau. Industry insiders estimate that between 2016 and 2017, at least another 13,000 rooms will enter the market, with the potential for another 50% increase in the following three years. Despite fierce competition, businesses remain optimistic that the "new Macau" still holds many opportunities.
Mega jumbo makes an appearance！Singapore Airlines to operate Singapore–Auckland flights with A380
Singapore Airlines has announced that starting October 27, 2014, it will offer flights between Singapore and Auckland, New Zealand, using the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.
After the introduction of time-based toll rates, National Freeway 5 remains congested. Yilan County Government: Off-peak hours should be toll-free
The trial of time-based toll rates on National Freeway 5 has seen increased tolls for Taipei-to-Yilan traffic, yet congestion persists. Yilan County Government stated that price reduction measures should be implemented first, including free passage during off-peak hours.
Discover the Beauty of Hsinchu with Hebe Tien – The International Anime Tourism Festival Kicks Off at the End of August
From August 30 to September 8, the Hsinchu City Government will host the International Anime Tourism Festival, featuring activities over two consecutive weekends in locations such as Hoxing Station, Neiwan, and Zhudong. The event will be endorsed by Hebe Tien, a native of Hsinchu, who will not only help bring anime fans to another climax as summer draws to a close but also invite everyone to explore the beautiful mountains and waters of Hsinchu.
One Ticket, Endless Exploration in Kaohsiung – The “Tourism Marketing Experience Pass” Offers Unlimited City Bus Rides
The Kaohsiung City Transportation Bureau has launched the “Tourism Marketing Experience Pass” from now until the end of this year. With this pass, residents can get a free transfer stamp and enjoy unlimited free rides on city buses on the same day. In the future, the program will be extended to tourist attractions, allowing visitors to enjoy free city bus rides on the same day by getting a free transfer stamp upon presenting their attraction ticket.
Ippudo’s Arrival in Taichung Triggers a Queuing Craze — Wait Up to 2 Hours for a Bowl of Ramen
Despite the scorching summer heat with daily temperatures around 36–37°C, Taichung has become the stage for an exciting ramen battle, and this time it’s Ippudo’s turn. Although I’ve tried it before in Taipei, my experience was rather disappointing compared to the original in Japan, so I didn’t even bother writing about it. Even so, Ippudo has since opened branches in Tainan and Kaohsiung.
The priority section of Taichung BRT Blue Line to open fully on the 17th, with the exception of Ren’ai Hospital Station
The priority section of the Taichung Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Blue Line, from Taichung Railway Station to Providence University (excluding Ren’ai Hospital Station), will be fully open to the public starting August 17. The first departure from Taichung Railway Station will be at 6:00 AM, and from Providence University at 5:00 AM. The last departures will be at 11:00 PM and 10:30 PM respectively, with buses running every 6 minutes. The Taichung City Government Transportation Bureau stated that riding the Taichung BRT is free for one year, but passengers must tap their cards when entering and exiting stations to avoid card blocking.
Help Axi “catch a room” — choose legal accommodations and stay safer by saying no to illegal short-term rentals
Illegal short-term rental suites are becoming increasingly rampant, leading to many social issues and scams. Some people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, others have lost their deposits, and there have even been reports of terrifying incidents such as a Hong Kong tourist being secretly filmed by a pinhole camera installed by a fellow countryman. To safeguard the accommodation safety of travelers, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation has launched the “Anti Short-Term Rentals – Everyone Take Action” campaign starting today. Led by Axi, who has served as the spokesperson against short-term rentals for three consecutive years, the campaign calls on everyone to join in reporting illegal short-term rental suites.
New Fun in Macau: Meet DreamWorks Stars, Join the How to Train Your Dragon Camp, and Explore the Transformers 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Macau’s tourism is transitioning toward diversified development, leading many hotels to launch entertainment package programs suitable for both kids and adults. These include experiencing a grand parade of 12 DreamWorks stars, having breakfast with animated characters, joining the popular How to Train Your Dragon training camp, and visiting the 30th-anniversary exhibition of Transformers. It's a great opportunity to plan a family-friendly trip as the summer holiday draws to a close.
People queued overnight just to grab a ¥10 barbecue set; arguments broke out due to disorganized order, drawing police attention
A barbecue restaurant launched an event where customers could exchange a "1994 NT$10 coin" for a barbecue set, sparking a collecting craze online—coins became extremely hard to find. Although the distribution was scheduled for 10:00 AM on the 16th, queues began forming outside various branches on the evening of the 15th. Blogger Orange Dog Loves Candy reported that by 3:00 AM on the 16th, over 70 people were already lining up outside the branch near her home, with even more in the morning. Police were called in to help maintain order.
Inheriting the old signboard from over thirty years ago, Lido’s Big Ice Fruit insists on slicing fruit to order.
[Lido’s Big Ice Fruit] The owner’s (a female boss) parents opened “Lido Ice Parlor” next to Lido Theater in 1979 (the 68th year of the Republic of China). It was very popular with customers due to its high quality, but eventually closed. The owner, who had previously run a restaurant and worked as a professional bartender, felt it was a pity and decided to carry on the legacy. So she reopened at No. 680, Section 1, Ximen Road, near the Little West Gate Roundabout (close to Grand Formosa Regent). (Near Dayi Lize Hotel)
Hualien Jimmy Liao Hotel Creates a Family-Friendly Mural Wall – Let Your Kids Paint Freely
With rapid advancements in technology, 3C products have long replaced building blocks and toy cars, becoming many children’s favorite companions during childhood. To encourage kids to return to more natural forms of play and freely unleash their boundless imaginations, a well-known hotel has specially created Taiwan’s first large-scale family mural wall. Here, children can simply dip their fingers in paint and let loose with colorful doodles on the walls.
After Keelung, the world’s largest “floating library” to visit Kaohsiung Port in September
The world’s largest floating library, Logos Hope, will arrive in Taiwan on the 22nd. After its stop in Keelung, its next destination will be directly to Kaohsiung Harbor. It is expected to dock at Banana Pier from September 13 for two weeks, allowing residents of southern Taiwan to board and explore its collection of over 60,000 books.
The "Sanjiaopuding Mountain" hidden gem in New Taipei is now in full bloom with silvergrass flowers—dreamy waves of silvery-white!
Don’t stay curled up in bed on these chilly days—it’s the perfect time to admire silvergrass now. Every autumn, silvery-white patches of silvergrass start appearing across Taiwan, and at Sanjiaopuding Mountain, where Shulin and Guishan districts in New Taipei meet, the hillsides are currently covered in a sea of silvergrass. When the wind blows, it creates undulating waves of silvery-white that are both elegant and dreamlike. The picturesque scenery has become a popular IG photo spot, so you can go for a hike and snap some beautiful shots at the same time!