Travel
Mid-Autumn Holiday Approaches: Capital Bus Adds Extra “Taipei–Yilan” Trips for Commuters
This Saturday marks the start of the Mid-Autumn long holiday. On the 1st, Capital Bus announced that to better manage the increased passenger flow of those returning home and traveling during the Mid-Autumn holiday, it will add extra services on three national highway bus routes — 1570, 1571, and 1572 — between “Taipei and Yilan” from the 5th to the 8th.
Can't grab budget airline promo tickets? Money-saving expert 943 shares 2 top ticket-snatching tips
The first domestic low-cost airline, "Tigerair Taiwan," is in its final preparation stage and started releasing 10,000 Taipei-Singapore tickets at NT$888 each from 10 a.m. on the 2nd, attracting many netizens to scramble for them. According to Central News Agency, money-saving travel expert 943 also shared two budget airline ticket-snatching secrets with netizens, helping them stay ahead of the game when grabbing promo tickets from various low-cost carriers in the future.
SuperStar Aquarius Returns to Sabah New Voyages to Visit Puerto Princesa in Palawan
Star Cruises announced that its ship SuperStar Aquarius will return to Sabah from November 8, 2014 to March 1, 2015, using Kota Kinabalu as its home port and offering new voyages to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines’ Palawan Island. While based in Kota Kinabalu, SuperStar Aquarius will regularly offer one-night open sea cruises, three-day two-night open sea cruises (departing every other week), as well as brand-new four-day three-night voyages from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Puerto Princesa.
No price increase Meifu Buffet offers A5 Japanese Wagyu as an à la carte main course for lunch and dinner
Since Japan’s Wagyu beef was opened for import, enjoying high-quality Japanese Wagyu is no longer difficult. In addition to serving Kobe beef at Qing Shan Japanese Cuisine, Meifu Hotel will add a new A5-grade “Pan-Seared Premium Japanese Wagyu” (available as one order only) to the main course menu at its Caihui Buffet from December 8 to March 31, 2018. This allows guests to enjoy Japanese Wagyu without any additional charge, along with unlimited access to other dishes.
Exclusive Preview: A 25-Meter Giant White Moon Rabbit Created by Hofmann for Taiwan
The 2014 Taoyuan Land Art Festival was held from September 4 to September 14 at the Naval Taoyuan Base. This year, in addition to the mysterious military base location adding intrigue and uniqueness, the exhibited works also gathered creations from globally renowned artists, including masterpieces by international giants such as Li Chen, Hong Yi, Zhang Huan, Xu Bing, and Hofmann. The organizers also specially allowed selected media to enter the exhibition site early, bringing readers the latest updates on the land art festival.
Stay at the HowToTrip Grand Formosa Taroko in Taitung – Add just NT$25 for a round-trip Taipei–Taitung flight
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, The HowToTrip Grand Formosa Taroko in Taitung has not only unveiled 183 extensively renovated guest rooms but also partnered with Mandarin Airlines to launch a special offer from now until March 31, 2018. By purchasing a designated accommodation package, each person can enjoy a round-trip Taipei–Taitung flight for just an additional NT$25, allowing you to soak in hot springs in Taitung during the cold winter months.
Abandoned Ticket Booth Repurposed: Yingge Ceramics Museum Creates Taiwan’s First Artsy “BookCrossing Station”
A brand-new arts and culture space has now emerged in front of the Yingge Ceramics Museum in New Taipei City. The museum, incorporating mosaic wall decorations, has transformed an old ticket booth beneath a large tree into a bright and airy BookCrossing station with floor-to-ceiling windows. The space also features works by international resident ceramic artists, making it the most artistically immersive BookCrossing station in Taiwan.
EVA Air’s Hello Kitty livery “Hand in Hand” aircraft makes its first flight to Paris at the end of October
EVA Air announced on the 1st that its first 777-300ER Hello Kitty livery aircraft “Hand in Hand” is about to make its debut in Europe. The Hello Kitty livery aircraft will operate on the Taipei–Paris route, bringing the vibrant colors of the Sanrio family to light up the romantic depths of autumn in Paris.
The pricey restaurants lining the streets of Pontochō actually hide delicious and affordable dan dan noodles.
After organizing my Kyoto food map, I realized I had forgotten to write about my visit to Rokudenya two years ago. Rokudenya is tucked away in Pontochō, an area mostly filled with upscale eateries, making it hard to imagine it’s the home of budget-friendly dan dan noodles.
Tigerair Taiwan’s 888 promotion sold out in 3 hours About 30 people grabbed a seat on each flight
Tigerair Taiwan is expected to commence flights on September 26. This (2nd) morning at 10 AM, its official website released 10,000 one-way promotional tickets priced at 888 NTD for Taipei–Singapore. The first departure date’s seats were fully booked within just 20 minutes. Many travelers commented that Tigerair was quite generous with this promotion, saying, “The tickets were easy to get.” Li Ming-yan, marketing deputy manager of Tigerair Taiwan, stated that the 10,000 discounted tickets available from late September to March were all booked around 1 PM.
Fried chicken is all the rage — Tiancheng Hotel’s Burger Lab also launches Southeast Asian-style fried chicken
Fried chicken is currently all the rage, and Taipei’s Tiancheng Hotel Burger Lab has jumped on the trend by launching “Southeast Asian Finger-Lickin’ Fried Chicken” and “Finger-Lickin’ Fried Chicken Leg Burger.” Available starting December 7, the single item is priced at NT$120, while the combo meal is offered at a promotional price of NT$199.
Feeding Show on the Lion Vehicle Is a Must at Gunma Safari Park – Their Tongues May Even Stretch into the Car
Opened in 1976, Gunma Safari Park was once the largest safari park in eastern Japan. Covering an area of 35 hectares, this park is a must-visit, and one of the highlights is taking a ride on the “lion vehicle” to experience an up-close animal feeding show. Not only can you feed antelopes with grass in the African section and water buffaloes in the American section, but you can also venture directly into the lion area to feed lions with meat skewered on long metal tongs. Through the iron fence, you can clearly see the lions’ mouth structures—take the chance to count how many teeth they have.
Independent filmmakers poached to be librarians — A frameless bookstore in Okinawa
Ms. Akemi Kawabata has a “mind map” in her head. Give her any book at random, and she can instantly name several related titles, just like branches interconnected. Ms. Kawabata’s current “favorites” are displayed on the store shelves — from foreign novels and picture books to publications from small magazines and publishers across Japan, covering an incredibly diverse range.
"Love You for a Lifetime, Forever and Ever" – Limited Edition Commemorative Train Tickets from Taiwan Railways
Yong'an Bao'an was the first auspicious phrase ticket issued by Taiwan Railways and remains the most widely distributed to date. To continue this trend, Yongkang Station specially launched the "Love You for a Lifetime, Forever and Ever" commemorative namecard-style tickets on September 9, 2014.
The Hengchun Folk Music Festival kicks off—stroll into the old town streets to hear moon lute melodies
A series of events for the Hengchun Folk Music Festival will be held from now through November, including performances at Chen Da’s Former Residence, “Grassland Stars—Youth Folk Tribute,” and shop-front folk singing. Both veteran folk artists will perform authentic Hengchun folk songs, while the younger generation “Grassland Stars” band blends tradition with modernity, delivering a fresh folk vibe that showcases the timeless charm of Hengchun folk music.
Where to go during the Mid-Autumn holiday? 20 best moon-viewing spots in Tainan
Have you decided where to go for the three-day Mid-Autumn holiday? The Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau has compiled the “Tainan Mid-Autumn Holiday Travel Guide” and, in conjunction with the unique “2014 Masago Music Festival” in southern Taiwan, has launched a variety of package tours and accommodation discounts to let the public enjoy Mid-Autumn in the historic ancient capital.
Where to go on Mid-Autumn Festival night? Taipei City reveals 23 riverside park barbecue areas
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the Taipei City Government encourages residents to celebrate in a traditional, healthy, low-carbon way by admiring the moon and sipping tea. However, considering that some people still wish to have barbecues, 23 riverside parks will be open for barbecue and picnic activities. The Water Resources Department reminds the public to conduct barbecue and moon-gazing activities only in designated areas and to follow the relevant regulations of the riverside parks, including cleaning up trash and maintaining environmental cleanliness.
"Japan's Last Pristine River" – The Shimanto River, Best Explored by Bicycle
Located in western Kochi Prefecture, the Shimanto River is the longest river on Shikoku and the second-largest in terms of drainage area. Stretching 196 kilometers, it is known as "Japan's Last Pristine River." It is also recognized as one of the "Three Great Clear Streams of Japan," a "Selection of 100 Famous Waters," and part of the "100 Hidden Gems of Japan." The river’s 47 sunken bridges are another iconic sight, designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kochi Prefecture in 1993 and protected by the government.
Short on funds but want an in-depth travel experience? Hakka villages launch Working Holiday
The Taipei City Government’s Hakka Affairs Council today held a press conference for the “Come to Hakka Villages Working Holiday,” specially inviting Taipei’s model citizen YuanZai and international artists to lead trips to the Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli Hakka villages. This year, they’ve introduced a “work-for-stay” lifestyle program, aiming to help urban youth deeply experience life in Hakka villages.
Yilan Adds More “Eland-Free” Free Wi-Fi: 185 Hotspots for Instant Access
The Yilan County Government announced a collaboration with major telecom provider Taiwan Mobile, launching the “eland-free” free Wi-Fi service starting today at locations such as Luodong Night Market, tourist factories, and convenience stores. Going forward, residents can simply register online to enjoy unlimited internet access at 410 hotspots across the county.