Travel
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces a 2.5-fold increase in Japan working holiday visa quotas
Japan working holiday visa quotas to increase significantly. Since the launch of the Youth Working Holiday Program between Taiwan and Japan in June 2009, the program has been widely popular among Taiwanese citizens, with the number of applicants rising year by year and greatly exceeding the annual quota of 2,000. In light of this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 25th that an agreement has been reached with Japan to expand the working holiday visa quota for both countries to 5,000 starting from October 27.
Thailand’s Nok Air launches first in-flight free WiFi with speeds comparable to 3G
Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air (also known as Bird Air) announced that starting from October, it will partner with local telecommunications company Thaicom to offer free wireless internet services on its flights, making it the first airline in Asia to provide complimentary in-flight WiFi.
Taiwanese Oh Bear and Kumamon Make Their First Joint Appearance in Tokyo to Charm Fans
To sustain the tourism boom of Japanese visitors to Taiwan, Deputy Director-General Liu Xilin of the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications led a 170-member domestic tourism industry delegation to Tokyo yesterday (September 24) to participate in Japan’s largest international travel expo, “Tourism EXPO Japan 2014.” Taiwan’s tourism ambassador, Oh Bear, also made a special trip to Tokyo to meet the famous mascot “Kumamon.”
Snoopy’s 65th Anniversary Special Exhibition – Second Stop Opens in Taichung on the 27th
Fans of Snoopy, rejoice! The second stop of the 65th-anniversary traveling exhibition has arrived in Taichung. The venue features 50 photo spots for fans to enjoy, along with classic scenes from the comics recreated authentically to deliver maximum surprises. Unlike the Kaohsiung leg, this Taichung edition also includes dedicated zones for other characters and relationship charts to give fans a deeper understanding of Snoopy.
Chicken thigh meat + pressure cooker: The chicken nuggets at Fried Chicken Shop are crispy and juicy
Once, after having Yeh’s Rice Vermicelli Rolls, I passed by this Fried Chicken Shop located in Ximending’s Asakusa New World Plaza.
Autumn and winter are the best times to visit Penghu—stomp through the Moses Parting the Sea path and tour old houses by ox cart
Starting from autumn, Taiwan’s outlying islands officially enter the off-season for tourism. From October 1 to December 20, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration is launching the “Authentic Winter Tour—Explore Southern Ancient Houses and Stomp Northern Waves in One Day” in Nanliao and Beiliao in Huxi Township. Travelers can experience the island’s southern and northern rural scenery in just one day.
240,000 tickets sold in 8 hours！Taiwan Railways: Some seats still available for Double Ten holiday travel
Tickets for Taiwan Railways' National Day holiday period (October 9 to October 13) went on sale at midnight today (25th). According to statistics from the Taiwan Railways Administration covering phone bookings, online sales, and convenience store ticketing systems, a total of 144,600 transactions involving 244,281 tickets were completed within just 8 hours, with seats still available on all routes.
Fly Delta Airlines with a layover in Tokyo & enjoy a 5% discount at airport duty-free shops
From now until December 31 of this year, Delta Air Lines has announced a collaboration with NAA Retailing Corporation. During the campaign period, passengers on Delta’s U.S. routes who have a layover at Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) can present a voucher to receive a 5% discount on designated items at eight duty-free shops.
Ride a Steam Train in the “Train Hospital” – The Railway Culture Festival Kicks Off on September 27
Train enthusiasts and those curious to see the Taipei Railway Workshop are in for a treat. Co-organized by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Taiwan Railways Administration, the Taipei Railway Culture Festival will be held at the Taipei Railway Workshop from September 27 to October 26, showcasing “Glamorous Beichang – Taipei Railway Culture Festival.” During the event, visitors can enjoy a variety of art pieces inspired by railway culture and also get an up-close look at the Taipei Railway Workshop, known as the “train hospital.”
Night Market Snacks in Kaohsiung — Mini Soup Dumplings Bursting with Juice into a Whole Spoon
There are many delicious snacks at the well-known Ziqiang Night Market in Kaohsiung, such as Nanfeng Braised Pork Rice, White Sugar | Jun⑺? Quepozi, Lüyin Xianjiao, and Dianwei Yuxianggu, among others. And yet, it’s not just these that stand out — the mini shop run by Shao, famous for his Shanghai Soup Dumplings, is also not to be missed. During the day and evening rush, the place gets packed. We’ve even written about it online before, which shows just how appealing Master Shao’s Shanghai Soup Dumplings are.
Kaohsiung’s “Sky Viewing Platform” Opens, Offering Views of Cruise Ships Entering the Harbor
The park overpass connecting Gushan and Yancheng districts was redesigned as the Sky Viewing Platform after the completion of the new coastal flat road, and officially opened today (the 26th). The platform offers close-up views of the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park and the green corridor along Park Road, while from afar, visitors can watch cruise ships entering Kaohsiung Port. Like the old railway before it, this aged bridge has been given new life.
Popular Wedding Photography Spots: Nine Beautiful and Unique Churches in Taiwan
Taiwan’s first government-designed white crystal church with a “wedding photography” theme is expected to be completed by mid-October. It looks as if you’re in a foreign country. In addition to this crystal church, Taiwan also has many beautiful and distinctive churches. We’ve compiled a list of nine churches featured on the Eastern Travel Cloud website. Those who aren’t married yet might consider taking their wedding photos at these churches.
Young people launch hometown heritage event – Neipu’s “Han Yu Cultural Festival” kicks off on the 27th
In 2001, a group of young people, driven by the desire to contribute to their hometown, initiated the Han Yu Festival, transforming tradition and the worship ceremony into an experience that everyone can take part in. The 2014 Neipu “Han Yu Cultural Festival” will run for two consecutive days starting on the 27th. In addition to creative street parades, Hakka music and dance performances, and student renditions of the “Six-Yi Dance,” the event will also feature locally made Hakka specialty goods, food, toys, and handicrafts.
Peach Aviation’s Winter Early Bird 72-Hour Limited-Time Promotion: Taipei to Osaka for NT$1,680
Didn’t manage to grab Vanilla Air’s special NT$888 tickets the other day? No worries — Peach Aviation’s Winter Early Bird 72-Hour Limited-Time Promotion kicks off at midnight tonight. A one-way ticket from Taipei to Osaka is NT$1,680 (one-way fare excluding tax). While it’s quite a bit more than NT$888, it’s still nearly NT$1,000 cheaper than the usual minimum price of NT$2,750.
So dreamy I want to get married right away！ Mandarin Oriental’s ultra-luxurious weddings – the secrets behind them
Golden Melody Award-winning singer Tao Zhe held his son’s first birthday party and wedding banquet, with 5 tables booked at Taipei Mandarin Oriental Hotel, known for its top-tier luxury. Unlike typical Taiwanese wedding banquets, each guest was served multiple exquisite dishes. Additionally, as the only hotel in Taipei with an on-site wedding chapel, it’s no wonder Tao Zhe chose this venue for his grand celebration.
Tigerair Taiwan’s maiden flight lands in Singapore CEO Kuan Hsu praises delicious pumpkin vermicelli
Taiwan’s first domestic low-cost carrier, “Tigerair Taiwan,” officially took to the skies this morning (26th). Its inaugural flight, IT511, departed from Taoyuan Airport at 10:20 AM bound for Singapore and landed smoothly at Changi Airport at 3:00 PM, marking a new chapter in Taiwan’s civil aviation. Tigerair Taiwan CEO Kuan Hsu was also on the maiden flight, accompanying passengers to Singapore, where he praised the “pumpkin vermicelli” served on board as very tasty！
Fengyuan Wudu Grand Hotel: 30% off all-you-can-eat meals for local residents
Taichung's Fengyuan Wudu Grand Hotel shows appreciation to the community and celebrates "I LOVE Saturday night" — regardless of time, diners at the Western Restaurant can enjoy an ultra-low 30% discount if they are residents of Fengyuan District, and accompanying guests can also benefit from the offer. Additionally, Wudu offers office workers a joyful Saturday night: a duo evening fine dining set meal for just NT$1,100 (original price up to NT$1,700).
Visit Sanfeng Taro Ice City in Banqiao for some classic old-school flavors — how can you not take home a pack of ice bricks?
My friend joked that I could be lured anywhere with just ice, and, well, it’s kind of true. The moment taro ice is mentioned, my eyes light up. For my friend, this Sanfeng Taro Ice City is a nostalgic spot from their youth. We walked about 10 minutes from Banqiao Railway Station to this old shop. Just by looking at the exterior, it’s clear that it’s a favorite among locals.
When a boat owner takes a yacht out to sea for “just” NT$300,000, people say: it’s still too expensive...
Taiwan is surrounded by the sea, and many cities have an extensive network of waterways. Coupled with its world-renowned yacht manufacturing capabilities, using yachts for leisure travel has gradually become an emerging water-based tourism trend in Taiwan.
"The Bad Dog Canteen" offers a wide variety of dishes N
Just recently, I finished a meal at the Zhongxiao branch of Professor Do's Korean Fried Chicken, and there are simply too many restaurants around Mingyao Department Store—it’s truly a top-tier battleground with fierce competition. This time, I dined at a newly opened Japanese izakaya. The name is also quite fun—it’s called Bad Dog Canteen. I was invited by the restaurant itself, and since I’m a big fan of Japanese cuisine, I made a special trip to check it out.