In Urasoe City, there is an area called Kōkawa where many foreign residences stand, exuding a strong international atmosphere. The name PORTRIVER is a direct English translation of the two characters for Kōkawa, with MARKET added at the end—symbolizing that this shop, like a market, sells all kinds of things. It also reflects the owner’s wish to attract crowds and achieve prosperous business.
Yangmingshan now has a new hidden gem! Nestled within the alleys of Pingjing Street in Pingdingshi, Yangmingshan, there’s actually a babbling brook flowing through it all along. Renovated by Taipei City’s Bureau of Urban Development, it integrates local ecology, rural culture, and the cherry blossom features of Pingjing Street Lane 42, becoming a new weekend destination in Yangmingshan – Zhenzaitou Nature Park.
It’s my second visit to 【Linpai Department Store】, and the stories it holds have changed completely compared to before. Different from its initial exhibition-focused format and the days when it was just a five-story building, it now has new stories and a fresh look. It welcomes a baptism of new life for our generation—carrying a profile and spirit that are both seasoned and subtly sweet, inviting you to explore further.
In addition to competing on price, low-cost carriers are also extending the battle to merchandise. For example, Peach Aviation has continuously released exclusive products, such as a LEGO set of the Peach A320 aircraft model, {嘣?槔镒釉?聪蘖可唐法6月30日结束贩售), and recently announced the launch of the “Hello Kitty Super Kawaii Articulated Doll – Peach Exclusive Edition.” For Kitty fans, this may be yet another collectible to add to their collection.
Where to go during the Mid-Autumn holiday? The Taipei City Government’s Department of Urban Development recommends taking the Maokong Gondola this year to visit the Zhinan Scenic Area on the outskirts of Taipei, and spending a romantic Mid-Autumn night at the specially designed Lovers' Sanctuary.
Traveling abroad to admire flowers is one of the most romantic things to do in any season. Whether it’s cherry blossoms in Japan, maple leaves in Korea, tulips in the Netherlands, or lavender in France, but have you ever thought about seeing unbelievably romantic flowers in Thailand? The Tourism Authority of Thailand has compiled a flower-viewing calendar featuring different blooms across the country throughout the year. Among them, the vast expanse of pink lotus ponds in Udon Thani Province is truly breathtaking.
When I was interviewed by a certain platform a month ago and asked which Taipei MRT line I eat at the most, and which station I’ve written about the most, I thought for a moment. The 【Ban-Nan Line】 probably has the most food spots I’ve tried, but if we’re talking about the station with the most food reviews, I’d guess it’s either the 【Taipei City Hall Station】 or the 【Shuanglian Station】. Breaking it down further, the former has more restaurants, while the latter leans more toward snacks.
Zhongshan North Road Section 2 is a street full of bridal shops that many young girls dream of. Hidden in an alley off this bridal street is the romantic restaurant “Sabrina House 纱汀娜好食,” which is absolutely enchanting. The three-story standalone white building makes Sabrina House highly eye-catching, and the interior lives up to expectations with its dreamy French-style decor that always has guests snapping photos non-stop. The elegant dining atmosphere is not only loved by diners but also often serves as the perfect backdrop for wedding photo shoots. In the classic movie *Sabrina*, played by Audrey Hepburn, the character Sabrina, though not a formal culinary school student, shares an enthusiasm for food no less than that of top chefs in luxury hotels. Sabrina House is named after her, created with a passion for delicious cuisine in every dish.
On the evening of September 6, a train on the Banqiao-bound Bannan Line of the Taipei Metro was traveling through Taipei Main Station when a man around 60 years old, holding a sorghum liquor bottle, loudly yelled at a young man wearing glasses. The elderly man continuously struck the seats with the bottle and even waved it aggressively in front of the bespectacled man, seemingly attempting to attack him, causing extreme tension inside the carriage.
Da Nang, a holiday paradise for Western travelers, is often described by travel-loving friends as “absolutely stunning!” This time, I finally set foot on this naturally beautiful land with its enchanting white sandy beaches. The stretch of fine white sand, about 40 kilometers long, is clearly visible as the plane approaches the offshore area of Da Nang; the white sand, green fields, and blue sea might just make you fall in love with it even before landing.
Bidet toilets that are warm to the touch, sound princesses that play delightful melodies — Japan’s “toilet culture” has not only been widely emulated by other Asian countries but also deeply moved most European and American tourists. MADAMERIRI, a Japanese website dedicated to uncovering interesting things from around the world, has compiled 14 reasons why foreign visitors fall in love with Japanese toilets. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Tainan’s Koji Bar gained popularity with its cat-paw-shaped egg cakes, and later introduced a series of green tea-flavored cat-paw roasts and dog-bone-shaped egg cakes that melted the hearts of many. In December, they launched chess-themed egg cakes, taking traditional snack designs to the next level with a creative twist!
Last time I was in a bad mood at work, and a friend laughed and said, “Have a ‘Sweet Lemon Chill’,” which startled me!!! Turns out someone wanted to buy me a drink, and this one is called “Sweet Lemon Chill.” Haha, the name is really cheeky—and it actually lightened my gloomy mood back then. This drink comes from Fengchai Xia’an, a tea shop located right next to Luodong Night Market. I originally thought it was a chain store, but it’s actually a genuine local small business.
Since its launch in May this year, the New Port of Light in Kaohsiung has become hugely popular for offering stunning seaside views, such as the graceful architectural lines of the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center and the magnificent 85 Sky Tower. Starting in September, the port began operating two regular cruises on national holidays. In collaboration with well-known department stores and hotels, these approximately one-hour voyages feature guided tours that showcase the charm of this southern Taiwanese harbor.
I’m used to exploring Tainan on foot, slowly tracing the historical tracks of this ancient capital with my own footsteps. Of course, walking also makes it easier to discover interesting restaurants—whether new or old. Anyway, the unhurried pace suits my travel style in Tainan, even though I’m actually from here.
When compiling a food list of must-tries in Vietnam, “French bread” is definitely on the menu. It can be found in alleys and streets across the country, but where can you find the best one? The answer lies in this 28-year-old bakery in Hội An. Even celebrity Helen Thanh Đào highly recommends it, saying, “This shop was once voted the best French bakery in all of Vietnam — every Vietnamese knows about it.”
For those looking to hike up Xiangshan and take in the sweeping views of the Taipei Basin, there’s now a more comfortable option. This year, the Taipei City Department of Urban Development completed the construction of three new viewing platforms along the Xiangshan Trail. These platforms have become not only a popular new spot for couples but also an ideal location for photography enthusiasts to capture the beauty of Taipei.
The dengue fever outbreak in Tokyo continues to spread. To capture mosquitoes and investigate whether disease-carrying mosquitoes have proliferated, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment has closed Shinjuku Gyoen, located not far from Yoyogi Park, starting today.
On the opening day of Tim Ho Wan’s first store in Taiwan, the founder and head chef Mak Kwai Pui specially came from Hong Kong to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony and participated in a joint interview with the media. When he finally accepted an invitation from an ETtoday News Cloud reporter to enter the kitchen and pose for a few simulated cooking shots, it became instantly clear why Mak Kwai Pui has become a legend in Hong Kong’s culinary scene.
We really enjoy visiting Daxi Old Street on weekdays because the area has such rich variety. For example, Heping Road and Zhongshan Road feature well-preserved Japanese colonial-era archway facades, while along the riverside you’ll find Baroque-style Daxi Bridge and Wude Hall, as well as the Chiang Kai-shek Villas that he had built wherever he went. Of course, there are also all kinds of traditional snacks and street food. It really takes half a day to properly explore all these sights.