Travel
Targeting top-tier clientele – a new basement restaurant at Hongxi Building also serves “gourmet steak”
Located opposite Taipei 101, Hongxi Building garnered much attention a few years ago for its upscale “Dafang Teppanyaki.” Little did anyone expect that its basement would quietly open a boutique hotel, “Sipork,” and even more surprisingly, this entire space-built small hotel on the underground level boasts two well-appointed restaurants. Aside from the more business-oriented Italian restaurant Patio no3, there’s also B-cape Black Cape Steakhouse.
Flight attendant humiliates Taiwanese passengers in Fukuoka; China Airlines confirms: apology issued, hopes for passenger forgiveness
China Airlines’ Japan routes carry over 300,000 passengers annually, making it the airline’s largest market share and one of its most profitable routes. Unexpectedly, on the 14th, a passenger posted on PTT revealing that on October 9th, their family of five was “humiliated by a China Airlines flight attendant” while traveling to Fukuoka. On the 16th, China Airlines confirmed the incident and stated that flight attendant He X-Xian had apologized to the passengers. The misunderstanding arose due to unclear communication, and the airline hopes for the passengers’ forgiveness.
Taipei International Travel Fair kicks off on November 7, setting a new record with 1,450 booths!
The annual Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) will officially open from November 7 to 10 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1 and Hall 3. This edition of the fair features participants from 60 countries and regions, with exhibitors increasing from 850 last year to 950 this year, and the total number of booths rising from 1,350 to 1,450—making it the largest in its history. Last year, the fair welcomed 310,000 visitors, generating a remarkable business opportunity worth NT$1.5 billion. The organizer, the Taiwan Visitors Association, expressed hope for even greater success this year.
The wasabi you're eating is actually horseradish Foreign media: 95% of Japan's wasabi is fake
The pungent wasabi (wasabi), also known as wasabi in Taiwan, is an indispensable sidekick when enjoying sushi or various delicious sashimi. According to the Washington Post, the probability of eating fake wasabi is extremely high—so much so that as much as 95% of wasabi in Japan might be fake. What people are actually eating is a mixture of a plant called "horseradish," along with food coloring and chemical additives.
Celebrate the Opening of the New Building: Book at Sun Moon Lake The Lalu & Win Round-Trip Flights to Qingdao & Accommodation
The Lalu Hotel Group has invested NT$13 billion to build the even more luxurious “Qingdao The Lalu Cultural & Creative Hotel” in Qingdao, China, which officially opened on October 12. To celebrate the opening of Qingdao The Lalu, Sun Moon Lake The Lalu is launching a series of lucky draw events from October 14 to December 30, 2014. Book any accommodation package and receive one lucky draw voucher per room per day.
High tourist volume alert！ The Guohua-Youai Business District in Tainan has implemented a "pedestrian-only zone."
The Guohua-Youai Business District in Tainan spans from Ximen Road in the east to Hai’an Road in the west, and from Zhongzheng Road in the north to Zunwang Road in the south. Adjacent to the Zhongzheng Ginza Business District, it has developed into a key tourist and commercial destination in recent years. Due to the large number of visitors during holidays, the city government has designated Guohua Street (between Zhongzheng Road and Zunwang Road) as a pedestrian-only zone on weekends to alleviate congestion among pedestrians and vehicles. The goal is to create a safer and more comfortable environment for both residents and tourists.
Tigerair Taiwan to launch flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai; maiden flight dates to be announced on the 17th
Taiwan's first domestic low-cost carrier, Tigerair Taiwan, announced on its official Facebook page on the 16th that it will soon officially launch flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand, following its inaugural flight to Singapore at the end of September.
National sweetheart Dears to join in – Yancheng Road Race kicks off on November 15!
To promote the coastal scenery of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan, the first-ever Yancheng road race event in the country, the “2014 Tainan Jingzai Ironfoot Marathon,” will start on November 15th. Along the route, participants can experience the rustic charm of fishing villages and admire large flocks of northern migratory birds such as black-faced spoonbills and black-tailed gulls. Participants also have the chance to take home a generous prize package worth a total of NT$200,000!
A five-foot-tall “Bogong Tower” prays for your blessings — the 2014 Joyful Blessings City is here, Up!
The 2014 Joyful Blessings City will kick off on the 17th at Taipei’s Hakka Cultural Park, marking the first national cultural lantern festival themed around Hakka culture. The main lantern is designed around the Hakka guardian deity “Bogong,” and the event site features six blessing zones and five themed scenic areas. On the evening of the 17th, three types totaling 400 thanksgiving lanterns will be given out for free to the public.
A different vibe: Enjoying stir-fried instant noodles at a Vietnamese café full of exotic charm
A Vietnamese café recently opened at the intersection of Qianfeng Road and Xiaodong Road. Its exterior isn’t particularly eye-catching, yet it has drawn frequent glances from passersby. Decorated with red bricks as the base, it blends seamlessly with the surroundings. The first floor isn’t spacious, but business has been brisk since its opening. I spent several hours there yet never managed to find a moment to capture an unoccupied backdrop. The second floor is divided into three small spaces, each with its own style and character.
Progress made!"Top 10 Most Sleep-Friendly Airports in Asia" – Taoyuan Airport ranks 5th
The "World's Best Airports to Sleep In" rankings, published annually in mid-October, were released on the 15th by the U.S. travel website "Sleeping in Airports" for 2014. Unsurprisingly, Singapore Changi Airport claimed the top spot once again, marking an 18-year consecutive championship record. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Taoyuan Chiang Kai-shek International Airport rose one place in the Asian rankings this year, securing 5th place.
Grand Renovation at The Far Eastern Taipei: "Super Deluxe Rooms" Are the Secret Weapon
The Shangri-La's Far Eastern, Taipei, has been undergoing a comprehensive renovation plan since October 2013. The first phase of the transformation, which includes 240 guest rooms and the first-floor lobby, was unveiled today.
Greenery is the best signboard The internet-famous minimalist brunch spot “Lu Ye Shi Guang”
We finally came to pay homage to Lu Ye Shi Guang, which has received high praise online. It’s hard to imagine that hidden in a secluded residential area, there’s such a fresh little brunch-focused café. Even without a signboard, the greenery out front becomes its best advertisement. With limited seating, it’s safer to make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. We arrived at the agreed time and became the first group of diners of the day.
Soak in hot springs and hop on a train — The pink cherry blossom-themed train debuts on the Wulai Wooden Railway
A new highlight has emerged at Wulai Scenic Area in New Taipei City ! Starting October 18, the historic “Wulai Wooden Railway” will roll out a special pink train adorned with cherry blossom motifs to join regular service. The Hsinchu Forest District Office stated that since its launch, the Wulai Wooden Railway’s carriages have featured solid green and blue exteriors, as well as designs incorporating indigenous tribal patterns. This time, to enhance the joyful atmosphere for passengers, a unique pink-painted train featuring cherry blossoms, wild boars, and indigenous weaving patterns has been specially created.
Check out the great deals at the travel fair here: five-star stays at up to 79% off, and super affordable meal vouchers
Taipei’s largest annual international travel fair is set to take place from November 7 to 10 at World Trade Center Halls 1 and 3. With a record-breaking 1,450 exhibitor booths, visitors can enjoy access to both halls and three exhibition zones with a single ticket. The event will offer 2,000 limited-edition lucky bags daily, with chances to win new smartphones or diamond rings. Organizers promise “plenty of discounts and the most comprehensive range of travel products,” with hotel stays discounted by up to 80%.
Few beef noodles in Taipei cost just NT$100 — and this one comes with six big chunks of beef!
Heading north to meet up with friends and hand over some shopping items, we rarely get the chance to stroll around near Da’an Station, so we decided to try a street food stall. Our “eating capacity” wasn’t strong enough for two people, and there are plenty of beef noodle shops near Xinyi Market. My favorite Dingwang Spicy Hotpot Chicken Feet is also nearby.
Season of plump autumn crabs！All-you-can-eat king crab hotpot feast for around a thousand yuan
One day, a colleague asked Albert if he wanted to join the staff trip, which let you go home early to rest because the other parts of the itinerary weren’t the main attraction—the highlight was the midday “hotpot tasting” where you could eat all the king crab you wanted. Albert immediately agreed. Other colleagues had been here before and said the king crab was okay, the meat was pretty good, but online reviews were also quite positive. So Albert set off with both excitement and a bit of apprehension to enjoy this treat~
Top 101 Restaurants in Asia – Din Tai Fung Drops from No. 1 to No. 6
The American food website The Daily Meal has released its 2014 ranking of the Best 101 Restaurants in Asia. Last year’s No. 1, Din Tai Fung, dropped to No. 6, replaced by Sukiyabashi Jiro, a Michelin three-star sushi restaurant that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once invited U.S. President Barack Obama to dine at. The master chef behind the restaurant, Jiro Ono, is known as the “Sushi God.”
News Flash / Tigerair Taiwan's First Flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Mid-November, Starting from NT$1,688 One-Way Including Tax
Tigerair Taiwan announced at noon on the 17th that it has obtained operating permits for the two new routes to Bangkok and Chiang Mai from the Civil Aeronautics Administration, and revealed that the inaugural flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand will depart on November 14 and November 15 respectively, making it Taiwan’s first low-cost carrier to fly to Thailand.
Shocking Discovery: The Forgotten Shihjui Ridge Fort Resembles a "Taiwan Version of Angkor Wat"
Taiwan’s beauty is worth continuous exploration—it may just lie in the most remote places. Recently, travel expert and blogger Liu Shiming (a.k.a. 640) from ETtoday Dongsen Travel Cloud ventured into Keelung and discovered an abandoned, dilapidated ancient fort hidden in the jungle. Wrapped in massive tree roots, it looked like a "Taiwan version of Angkor Wat," leaving him in awe.