Travel
Exclusive tips from a budget airline pro: Master the 6-word mantra and 6 key points to boost your ticket-snatching success rate
Budget airlines have been popping up like mushrooms in Taiwan in recent years, with their low prices being the main draw for travelers. The occasionally launched ultra-cheap promotional fares are especially sought after by the thrifty crowd. But these limited promo tickets aren’t easy to snag. Joe, an experienced budget airline traveler, shares his exclusive ticket-snatching secrets. By mastering just six key words and six essential tips, you can significantly increase your chances of scoring those discounted promo fares.
A gathering of Japan’s 200+ mascots: Kumamon and Funassyi will make an appearance
It’s no exaggeration to say Japan is the country with the most mascots in the world. Not only do prefectures and municipalities use mascots to promote tourism, but even shopping streets, museums, and corporations have their own. These mascots not only have their own association but also hold related events every year, with the “Local Mascot Expo” being the largest. In 2014, it will be held in Hikone City on October 18 and 19.
Spend a night in the desert away from the hustle and bustle — 5 remote desert lodges
If you want to escape city life, get away from crowded tourist hotspots, and look up to see a sky full of twinkling stars, then “the desert” might just be your dream destination. The five desert lodges recently reported by HuffPost come with amenities that might make you think you’re seeing a mirage.
Incheon’s Popular Grilled Pork Ribs Spot – Even South Korea’s First Female President Has Dined Here
A popular grilled pork ribs restaurant packed with crowds on holidays – Zhanzu. Several times while driving past this place, whether on weekdays or during meal hours on weekends, the restaurant was always bustling with people. At that moment, I decided to add it to my must-visit list and planned to come try it when I had the chance.
Global Vote for the Most Enchanting Bridges — Taipei’s Dahu Park’s Rainbow Bridge Temporarily Ranks First
A global online vote for the “most enchanting bridges” initiated by the foreign website “Bored Panda” has seen Taiwan’s Neihu District Dahu Park Rainbow Bridge not only make the list but also temporarily take the top spot (click to see the original photo). The photo of Dahu Park’s Rainbow Bridge selected by Bored Panda resembles an ink-wash landscape painting and has previously been reported by two major mainstream media outlets: the London Daily Mail and France’s Le Monde.
Master Craftsmen Share Techniques of Hand-Carved Stone Steps; Free Guided Tours Launch at New Taipei City Hiking Festival
The New Taipei City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has carried out maintenance and renovation work on seven distinctive hiking trails. Today (18th), the first free guided tour event was held at Daqiling Trail in Shenkeng. It attracted hundreds of enthusiastic participants early in the morning, who along the way listened to master stonemason Fang Jingfu share fascinating insights on the construction techniques used in the trail renovation.
Fruits and veggies with a quirky dipping sauce—Singapore’s iconic Uparak tastes oddly amazing
Uparak (Rojak) is an extremely common local snack in Singapore and Malaysia, but for me, it’s also the most difficult to accept among all the local snacks there XD. So initially, I kept wondering whether I should introduce such an unusual dish. But since exploring local street food cultures has been a major part of my nomadic journey, I ultimately decided to feature this peculiar snack. That said, this article will carry a very strong personal perspective—since this snack has endured in Singapore and Malaysia for so long, it’s probably just that my taste buds and it are completely mismatched.
Visa exemption promotion nearing end — Booking sites offer up to 65% off Thailand stays
From August to November 8, Thailand is offering Taiwanese travelers a visa exemption fee waiver to attract more visitors. With just one month left before the visa fee waiver ends, and the rainy season in Thailand drawing to a close in late October, the most pleasant and comfortable travel season is about to begin. International booking websites are now launching limited-time special offers for Thailand. From now until October 21, book accommodations for stays before June 15, 2015, and enjoy discounts of up to 65% off.
The faintly intoxicating bitterness of coffee and orange—leisurely afternoon tea in the heart of the city
Coffee shops are like rest stops for urban travelers. They offer visitors a space to experience the city’s vibe and even provide hints about where to explore next. So even though coffee shops keep popping up everywhere, I believe they serve a truly essential purpose. This time, I’m introducing a spot I really like—【DOUZI Urban Beans Zhongtai West Station】—located along the Greenway on Zhongtai West Street, nestled within a consistently tranquil residential neighborhood...
Chiayi’s Super Popular Champion Old Shop for Fried Rice – Must-Try Tomato Egg Fried Rice with Perfectly Separated Grains
[Chiayi Local Old Shop: Qingf Xiao Guan] After finishing a 2-day-1-night [Taicheng Aesthetic Culture Mini Trip], I was originally headed straight to the high-speed rail station, but I made a special stop at my classmate’s family-run old shop in Chiayi, [Qingf Xiao Guan], which was passed down from his father. The shop mainly serves noodles, stir-fries, and hot pot dishes. It has been around for decades and is an extremely popular local eatery.
Moving story behind a ginkgo forest planted for a wife – golden leaves create the most beautiful scenery in the mountains
October marks the official start of Korea’s autumn foliage season, with reds, oranges, greens, and yellows painting the land like an artist’s palette, creating breathtaking views. In addition to maple leaves, another must-see this season is the “ginkgo,” with its golden branches or fluttering leaves that look like something out of a fairy tale. In Gangwon Province, there is a ginkgo forest not only known for its stunning scenery but also for a touching and widely-told story, attracting large numbers of visitors every year during this time.
Autumn in Korea for maple viewing: Round-trip Taipei–Busan flights for just NT$1,999
During the crisp and clear autumn season, many travelers choose to visit Korea for its stunning maple foliage. Air Busan has once again introduced discounted fares—with round-trip Taipei–Busan flights for just NT$1,999 (excluding tax). The promotion runs from October 15 to October 31, with travel dates available from November 1 to December 23. Air Busan recommends that travelers visit Bulguksa Temple to admire the beautiful autumn leaves, or explore the newly opened Odongdo Skywalk, which debuted last October.
Locals are willing to wait over an hour in line — a must-try new restaurant in Hong Kong
A new food craze has swept through Hong Kong this (103rd) summer, as celebrity chef Jamie Oliver from a well-known travel show opened a restaurant here at the end of July. Jamie’s Italian, which already has 40 branches worldwide, marks its second location in Asia after Singapore with this Hong Kong opening. Hong Kong residents are going crazy for Jamie Oliver’s new eatery, lining up for up to an hour just to dine there.
Love fruits? Then you’ve come to the right place — Bangkok’s largest fruit and vegetable market, AorTorKor Market.
Many people have asked me: “I’ve been to Bangkok many times, and every time I visit SIAM Paragon Market and JATUJA Weekend Market, it feels a bit repetitive. Is there anywhere new you can recommend?” Today, I’m taking you to Bangkok’s largest fruit and vegetable market — AorTorKor Market. Here, you’ll find unique Thai mango varieties (essential for making mango sticky rice), as well as incredibly delicious burst-green buns (even better than those in Kaohsiung).
The most beautiful time of the year is here—Taitung’s Belang Avenue welcomes the harvest with a sea of golden rice fields
From late October to early November, the rice ears planted in Taitung are about to turn golden. Coupled with the pleasant climate, this is the best time of the year to visit Belang Avenue in Chishang. Taitung County also hosts various events in November, with celebrities like Xiao S and singer A-Mei Chang performing and attending activities in Chishang.
5 Authentic Kinmen Dishes to Try on Your Trip—These Are the Spots to Hit!
Our guide this time served five years as a soldier in Kinmen and really knows the place inside out. Let’s see what local eats he takes us to try. Don’t expect lavish feasts of delicacies or high-end seafood banquets in Kinmen—that might be a bit unrealistic. What you come to Kinmen for is its rustic charm, so simple, down-to-earth flavors make perfect sense.
“Kaohsiung Light Rail Trains” to Get Public-Selected Names for Its 14 Stations, Testing to Begin in Early November
The first circular light rail line in Kaohsiung is scheduled for online testing on November 9. To help the public better understand the route and locations of the circular light rail, from now until December 18, the Kaohsiung City Government is inviting residents to name the future C1–C14 stations set to open in the first phase. Participants in the naming campaign will be eligible to enter a lucky draw for prizes.
Taipei Fude Cold Noodles paired with a refreshing egg drop soup — the late-night hours definitely see long queues.
Taiwan has countless street snacks, and cold noodles might not rank in the top five or ten, but they still hold a place in the eating habits of Taiwanese people. Otherwise, can anyone tell me there’s someone who’s never had cold noodles? Also, because they’re as common as braised pork rice or plain noodles, every place or city tends to have at least one or two popular cold noodle spots. Everyone surely has one or two that they think are the best.
The "Boat-Shaped Suspension Bridge" on Alishan to Open in November – Enjoy the Beauty of the Nighttime Forest Together
Due to its steep terrain and narrow roads, Alishan National Forest Recreation Area has long been plagued by the issue of shared pathways for pedestrians and vehicles, forcing visitors to endure vehicle exhaust fumes. To address this problem, the Chiayi Forest District Office has carried out improvement projects, which will be gradually opened to the public before November 11. In the future, visitors will be able to walk along the thoughtfully designed boat-shaped suspension bridges and wooden boardwalks to enjoy the day and night beauty of Alishan’s forests.
Take your little ones out for some fun right away! 10 parent-child destinations in Tainan all in one go!
The National Day and Double Ten holidays are perfect for going out! The weather is much cooler than in summer vacation, and you only need to spend two days out of the three-day break. After coming back, you can rest for a day to help the kids get back into the groove! XD So I thought of organizing the attractions in Tainan that I have on hand into a great list of spots suitable for 【family travel】. I didn’t expect to end up with 10 spots to note down, most of which are concentrated in 【Anping, Tainan】.