Travel
A sea of red that’s truly breathtaking — 3 must-visit Kyoto maple viewing spots
From mid-October, the crimson foliage in Japan begins spreading southward in a sweeping wave from Hokkaido. Between October and December, various regions across the country offer stunning autumn leaf scenery. However, when it comes to classic must-see maple viewing destinations, “Kyoto” is undoubtedly the highlight. The Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau recommends three essential maple-viewing spots around Kyoto — travelers planning a Kyoto autumn foliage trip should not miss these.
The ants have revolted！ Seasonal limited "Strawberry Matcha Scones & Strawberry Cheese Cake Ice"
Winter has arrived, heralding the approach of strawberry season！ "Ice Field GariGari," located in Taichung, opened this April and has won the hearts of many young trendsetters with its fresh style. In response to strawberry season, the shop has launched Strawberry Matcha Scones and Strawberry Cheese Cake Ice ahead of time—strawberry lovers, get ready to rush over！
Du Jiaying and Wu Keji teach you how to make macarons and pizza at home
This article is excerpted from the new book Chef Handmade Baking by baking duo Du Jiaying and Wu Keji. It emphasizes using affordable tools to create budget-friendly, reassuring, and Michelin-star-worthy cuisine — spend just ¥15 to bake Italian macarons, ¥25 for French wood-fired onion pizza, bringing five-star international dishes to your table for just ¥40.
Typhoon Bavi Disrupts Japan’s Transport as Heavy Rainstorm Cancels 630 Flights at Narita and Haneda Airports
Typhoon Bavi, the 18th typhoon of the year, made landfall in Japan on the 6th bringing strong winds and heavy rain. In addition to causing rivers to swell and widespread flooding, the torrential downpour also paralyzed local land and air transportation. The Shinkansen bullet train service between Tokyo and Shizuoka was temporarily suspended entirely, while Narita and Haneda airports grounded 630 flights due to severe weather conditions.
Double Ten Holiday Sales Push – Children under 12 Get Temple Gate Tickets for Just NT$10
The Double Ten holiday is just around the corner, and many people have already planned their trips. To attract crowds, major theme parks are rolling out promotional deals. For instance, during the Double Ten holiday, children under 12 can enter E-DA World for just NT$10; if your birthday includes both the numbers 3 and 5, you can explore Leofoo Village for just NT$100. As for Janfusun Fancyworld, those born in October or with the last digit of their ID number being 1 or 0 can enjoy entry for only NT$100.
The Maple Trees on the Central Cross-Island Highway Are Turning Red – Experience Ecology and Canyon Scenery in Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park and Tianxiang Youth Activity Center jointly organize the ‘Central Cross-Island Highway Maple Leaves Experience Event,’ which will take place on December 6–7, 2014 (Saturday–Sunday). The event includes the pioneering history of the Central Cross-Island Highway, experiencing the red maple leaves, ecological observation of the mid-elevation cloud forest belt, and canyon landscapes, all led and explained by Taroko National Park guides throughout.
A skewer shop that doesn’t pre-fry, insisting on grilling to order — where you can enjoy rich barbecue aroma
The “7 Skewers House,” which has been open for quite some time, is jointly operated by seven people born in the 1970s (a play on the Chinese word for “seven”), hence the name “7.” Its specialty is grilling skewers to order without any pre-frying, so you can savor the rich aroma of grilled food. With fats rendered out, the texture becomes crispier and bursting with flavor. The prices here are very affordable, offering excellent value for money.
Millions of purple crow butterflies head to Kaohsiung for winter—come from the 18th to Maolin to see the “butterfly carpet”
As autumn turns to winter, this year’s purple crow butterflies will once again migrate en masse to southern Taiwan to escape the cold. The Maolin National Scenic Area in Kaohsiung has announced that its butterfly-watching activities will begin on the 18th, inviting the public to visit the valleys of Maolin to witness the spectacular sight of millions of purple crow butterflies fluttering through the sky.
Simple little eateries in Yilan: The Q-textured zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) have just the right savory kick
Ever since the Hsuehshan Tunnel opened, property and everyday prices in Yilan have never gone back down. Many budget eats, though still affordable, now require an extra coin or two. It’s getting harder to find tasty street food that won’t break the bank. A friend recently recommended a highly praised zhajiangmian spot near Yilan’s Lanyang Night Market—right across from Liming Elementary School. It’s simple but delicious, a perfect place for a satisfying bite!!
The Most Beautiful Tribal Light and Shadows in the Mountains of Pingtung – Why Do Indigenous People Live in “Such Places”?
Glancing out the window, I was captivated by a scene and unconsciously hit the brakes. There, amid the pitch-black mountains and forests, were glowing forms of life—just like the image the elder described to me. “A lot of people think it’s unbelievable where we live—valleys, by streams, next to the sea. Isn’t it dangerous? Isn’t it inconvenient? Why would you live there?” The elder took a puff of his cigarette.
Tainan’s 1.4-hectare “painted rice field” depicts the rural scenery of the historic city using rice seedlings
Tainan’s “Rice Festival” kicked off on the 4th, featuring not only a variety of creative rice-based dishes but also a 1.4-hectare rice field painting that showcases rural landscapes through seedlings, bringing a refreshing new look to the lush green sea of rice.
“The Pearl Scattered in the Taiwan Strait” Zhang Longcheng: Welcome to Penghu for Love
Penghu, hailed as the “beautiful pearl scattered in the Taiwan Strait,” became a member of the “Organization of World’s Most Beautiful Bays” in March 2014. Its uniquely serene beauty is beyond doubt. However, the TransAsia Airways plane crash on July 23 — which struck right during what should have been peak tourist season — caused a 13% drop in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year.
With noodles, congee, and soy milk with youtiao—this Kinmen landmark snack shop sells it all.
During my days traveling in Kinmen, one thing that left a deep impression on me was breakfast—it’s just as hearty as in Tainan, my hometown. Tainan is most famous for its beef soup, salty congee, and mutton soup… though the prices are quite high and not something you can enjoy daily. But breakfast in Kinmen—like Guangdong-style congee and meatball noodles—is relatively more affordable, yet still generous and filling. Kinmen was once a major military stronghold…
Limited-time 7-day offer: 50% off on 30 hotels in Hokkaido and Okinawa on Agoda
Starting from October, food, beverages, medicine, cosmetics, tobacco, alcohol, and other consumables in Japan are also included in the tax-free category. Coupled with the recent Japanese yen exchange rate dropping to around 0.28, many people must be thinking, "Should I go to Japan for a trip?" Unexpectedly, Agoda.com is now offering 50% off on 30 hotels in Hokkaido and Okinawa, but the promotion period ends on October 14th—don’t miss out if you’re planning a trip to Japan!
Visit Six Scenic Spots in Yilan in One Day – Enjoy Countryside Views & Celebrate “Everlasting Love”
Yilan’s beautiful countryside is a perfect escape for city dwellers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. KK Travel World (K's journey) shared on the “Travel So Much Fun!” community group that you can visit six scenic spots in Yilan in just one day. Not only can you enjoy a thick onion pie made with Sanyi scallions, but the close encounters with little animals along the way are super healing. You can also collect the romantic “Everlasting Love” experience by visiting four famous spots — Tiansongpi, Changpi Lake, Qingshui Geothermal, and Jiuxiong Lake.
Evade hundreds of monsters on the hunt—Universal Studios Singapore’s “Halloween Horror Nights” is here!
With Halloween just around the corner, amid all the “trick or treat” excitement, theme parks worldwide are also rolling out terrifying attractions to challenge your courage. Universal Studios Singapore, located within Resorts World Sentosa, has officially launched its “Halloween Horror Nights 4” series starting now. Just visit on selected dates in October, and you’ll witness hordes of ghouls turning the park into a real-life “hell on earth”!
One of the world’s toughest cycling races—The 2014 Taiwan Cycling Festival kicks off in November
The 2014 Taiwan Cycling Festival will take place from November 8 to November 16. Organized by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in collaboration with local governments, a series of cycling events will be held in Taipei, Taichung, Changhua, Nantou, Tainan, Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung, inviting everyone to join in creating Taiwan’s “cycling” legacy.
Must-try century-old dessert shop at Senso-ji Temple – The popular combo is soba noodles with red bean paste
Senso-ji Temple, a must-visit spot for first-time travelers to Tokyo, features a huge red lantern with the kanji for "Thunder Gate" (雷门) above its main gate, leaving a deep impression on visitors. Among the famous local souvenirs, ningyo-yaki (Japanese dolls-shaped cakes) and Senso-ji mochi are the most well-known. As for traditional local delicacies, I really wanted to try both Oden from Daimaru and sweets from Baigan, though unfortunately I only had time for Baigan that day. But the delightful taste of Baigan’s desserts still moves me to this day, turning into beautiful food memories.
International student John Doe falls in love with Hehuan Mountain and Guishan Island — his selfie videos praise the heavenly scenery
John Doe, from El Salvador and currently a freshman in the Department of International Trade at Ming Chuan University, is a recipient of a Taiwan Scholarship. Having been in Taiwan for just over a year, he usually avoids the typical tourist spots and instead prefers hiking Taiwan’s high mountains. Excitedly, John says, “On Hehuan Mountain, you can see star trails, night views, sunrises, silver grass fields, blue skies with white clouds, sunsets, and sea of clouds. If you lie here and look up at the sky, you’d think you’re in heaven.”
Sun Moon Lake’s “Xiangshan Viewing Platform” – Enjoy a 180-degree panoramic view of the lake with a gentle rocking motion
If you want to take in the sights of Lalu Island, Cien Tower, and Shuishe Dam all at once during your visit to Sun Moon Lake, the upcoming “Xiangshan Bicycle Path Viewing Platform” at Xiangshan Visitor Center, set to open next month, will fulfill every visitor’s wish. Not only can you admire the stunning scenery of Sun Moon Lake up close, but the specially designed viewing platform also gently rocks up and down, adding an extra layer of fun to your sightseeing experience.