The biggest difference between a traveler and a tourist is that a tourist lives their life in the same way no matter where they go—the only difference is the location. In contrast, a traveler kisses the earth with their feet, feels its warmth, and approaches the journey with respect, craving a wonderful experience every single moment.
If the ultimate purpose of sightseeing is just to buy souvenirs, then it can get pretty boring. In fact, if you fail to notice the local culture while traveling, it might even cause harm to the place. Below is a summary by HuffPost on how frequent travelers can enhance their cultural responsibility:
Following its fame from launching the Millennium Banquet and calorie labeling for food, Ningxia Night Market is now set to become Taiwan’s first smoke-free night market. The entire pedestrian area will be entirely smoke-free, and visitors are encouraged to finish smoking before entering. Violators may face fines of up to NT$10,000, with the policy expected to take effect as early as October.
The sparkling wine, red wine, and white wine offered on China Airlines flights have been honored among the top five in the "2014 Wines on the Wing" competition hosted by U.S. magazine Global Traveler, earning the title of Taiwan’s pride in the world of wine.
I can’t even remember who told me that there’s a great café with delicious desserts tucked away behind a building near Yongchun Station. I’ve always wanted to go but never had the chance to get off at “Yongchun Station.” This time, purely by coincidence, an interview with a certain platform was scheduled here. That’s why I often say that people and food are also about fate, isn’t it?
On the way to Alishan via Route 18 in Chiayi, the must-visit scenic spots “Heavenly Longevity Bridge” and “Everlasting Bridge” are not to be missed. The Heavenly Longevity Bridge has just reopened today, and legend has it that if couples walk hand-in-hand across both bridges, their love will last forever.
The Pink Dot has stepped into its ninth exhibition amidst the sweltering summer heat. Along the way, it has been like experiencing the flavors of nine different fruits, but looking back now, they all taste sweet. Though peeling away the bitter skins and digging deep into the soil before tasting may be required, what’s most moving is precisely the sense of preciousness that comes from something hard-earned.
The “Green Circle Living Arts Festival” takes the Caotun Boulevard as its main axis and the surrounding neighborhoods as its base, forming a boundary-free aesthetic movement that highly integrates five major sectors: industry, government, academia, enterprises, and the arts. Approaching from three key themes—international connection, local participation, and talent cultivation—it involves over 100 creative teams from both domestic and international backgrounds, 30 specialty shops, and more than 3,000 neighborhood residents, making every spot a stage for art.
The best part about traveling in Japan is discovering unique local specialties that are definitely different from anywhere else. As a foodie, I had already planned to try the famous Kikkou sushi in Iwakuni before my trip. From JR Iwakuni Station, I took a bus to near Kintai Bridge, and right above the bus stop was a restaurant and souvenir shop. Being located above the bus stop was such a relief for a starving traveler – food as soon as you get off the bus.
I once watched a movie called "Maiko Hahaha," which tells the story of a protagonist who keeps trying to play rock-paper-scissors with maiko. The plot is hilarious and left HowToTrip’s feline reviewer, Fanfanmao, with a deep impression of the maiko attire. In fact, the biggest difference between a maiko and a geisha (geiko) is that "maiko" is actually the term for an apprentice geisha. In the past, girls would start training as maiko at age 10 and officially become geisha at 16. There’s a lot to learn during this period.
It was during a solo trip in Vietnam. That night, I checked into a four-star hotel in Vietnam. My room happened to be at the very end of the hallway. After getting the key, I walked to the door alone. The moment I opened it, an indescribable sense of unease washed over me. Especially when I stepped into the room and saw the blanket under the bed – that eerie sight made me feel as if a million ants were crawling through my blood.
Since the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) began operations in 2008, mobile phone signals were previously unavailable in tunnel sections and often interrupted on elevated sections. The government coordinated with telecom operators to improve the situation. To address passengers’ concerns, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Taiwan High-Speed Rail Bureau has continuously carried out mobile communication improvement projects. As of August 8 this year, full-line tuning and testing have been completed, with over 90% of the line now offering stable and clear calls.
Japan’s renowned tourist attraction “Shirakawa-go Gassho Village” was hit by heavy snow on the 5th, transforming this hidden mountain village into a silver-white wonderland. The dreamy scene prompted many Taiwanese travelers who happened to be visiting to share their experiences online.
The canola flower season in China is just around the corner. Endless seas of blooming flowers always bring a sense of peace and joy. As a flower enthusiast, have you already collected beautiful photos with various blooms? If "canola flowers" are still on your must-see list, you’re sure to be thrilled by the news that the canola flower season in China is about to begin.
The "2014 International Food Expo" concluded today, and the most anticipated World Culinary Championship saw Southern Taiwan's Golden Delight Alliance and Singapore's Chinese Cuisine Team battle for four hours. In the end, Singapore's Chinese Cuisine Team claimed the 2014 World Culinary Championship title, while Southern Taiwan's Golden Delight Alliance won the Golden Tripod Award by a narrow margin.
Beijing is a vital economic hub of China and a contemporary political and cultural center. In this modern city, not only do skyscrapers and luxury buildings stand tall, but centuries-old memories are also preserved, such as its four most famous world heritage sites.
Do you remember last year’s “Taoyuan Land Art Festival,” which was enhanced by the Yellow Duck, dotted art, and several contemporary Taiwanese artists? Continuing the momentum from last year, the Taoyuan Land Art Festival is making a comeback this year, taking place from September 4th to 14th at the mysterious Daxi Naval Taoyuan Base. And the latest masterpiece by Dutch artist Hoffman, “Moon Rabbit,” will also make a special visit to join the Taiwanese people in celebrating the Mid-Autumn holiday.
In the past, traveling to places like Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi always involved 4–5 hours of transit, but not anymore. Starting now, JR East is offering a limited-time “Narita Express (N’EX)” service that allows you to go directly from central Tokyo to Mt. Fuji without any transfers—and the journey takes less than 2 hours.
Henan is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Many of its attractions boast centuries of history, having weathered the storms of dynasties past and offering visitors from afar truly unique surprises.
With the upcoming Mid-Autumn holiday, Kaohsiung’s “Tianliao Devil’s Land,” known for its rugged badland terrain featuring treacherous mudstone formations, will leverage its unique landscape to present a never-before-seen nighttime spectacle through lighting and projection mapping techniques.