Travel
Sculpting Movie Scenes with Sand: Kaohsiung’s “Sand Art Voyage” Weekend Exhibition
Attention sand lovers this winter！The Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau continues the spirit of the sand sculpture event from the Qijin “Black Sand Rock Festival,” and will co-host the “Sand Art Voyage: Halloween Magic Tunes” event with Dream Mall on October 25–26, using 120 tons of sand to depict scenes from movies and animations.
Osaka’s “Glico Running Man” Unveils 6th-Generation Signboard – Vibrant Rainbow Track Steals the Show
After more than two months of anticipation, the sixth-generation signboard of Osaka’s Dotonbori riverside landmark, the “Glico Running Man” (Glico), was finally unveiled with a lighting ceremony on the evening of the 23rd.
Spared from demolition fate: Yangmingshan’s “Caoshan Police Station” listed as a historic building in Taipei
The “Caoshan Police Station,” located on Yangmingshan, has recently been spared from demolition due to its significant historical value and well-preserved condition. It has been designated as a historic building by the Taipei City Cultural Affairs Bureau.
Carrying dreams and courage—revisit travel memories with Tainan-style brunch
It’s been a while since I posted about food in Tainan~~~ But with my food-loving nature, I couldn’t hold out for long, lol XDD Today, I want to share with you all a newly opened brunch spot. I found out about this place online a few days ago and was drawn in by its fun name, so I made sure to clear my schedule for its opening day to check it out.
Japan to Launch ‘Haneda Airport Direct Train’ – Just 23 Minutes from Shinjuku to the Airport
With the yen plummeting and new tax exemption rules in place, Japan welcomed over 10 million visitors by early October. To shorten travel time from the airport to city centers, JR East announced on the 19th that it will develop a “Haneda Airport Direct Train,” set to begin operations before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The udon noodles at Marugame Seimen are smooth, tender, and springy, with a subtle wheat aroma gently wafting in your mouth.
When Marugame Seimen opened in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, it caused quite a stir—long queues were the norm, and things got even crazier during summer break. Back then, we didn’t join the trend to try it out. It wasn’t until the lines had recently thinned a bit that we finally gave it a go. However, my husband had beaten me to it by trying the Taipei branch of Marugame Seimen earlier. Ever since his visit, he’d been telling me how he wanted to take me there to try their fried items.
The Nantou Hot Springs and Flowers Carnival kicks off on the 25th, showcasing local charm through art
The Nantou Hot Springs and Flowers Carnival is set to launch on the 25th, highlighting the themes of "Flower Village" and "Hot Spring Travel." To help people of all ages learn more, during the event period, a popular online illustrated blogger will create a chibi-style artwork based on elements from Nantou’s three major hot spring areas, presenting another facet of Nantou. Later, they will also visit during the Nantou flower-viewing season to create an illustrated travelogue, teaching everyone how to enjoy flowers, soak in hot springs, and have fun in Nantou.
Surf’s up in the city — Bangkok’s artificial surf spot is all the rage
Can you learn to surf in the city without worrying about danger? In recent years, many people have taken to surfing at the beach, often needing to check wave conditions and wake up early to catch the ocean’s power. But now, Bangkok has seen a surge in “urban surfing,” with artificial surf pools built inside malls where waves can be generated anytime. This allows for safe, year-round surfing lessons, with instructors always on hand.
Fastest ever！ Japan's tourist arrivals hit 10 million — with Taiwan and Korea making up half
2014 can be called a bumper year for tourism in Japan. On the 22nd, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced that by early October, the number of foreign visitors to Japan had surpassed 10 million — the fastest it has ever reached that milestone.
Lonely Planet Recommends the World’s Top 10 Best Value Travel Destinations – Taiwan Ranks 8th
With just two months left in 2014 and the new year fast approaching, have you started planning your next trip? The global backpacker’s bible, Lonely Planet, has recently selected the “Top 10 Best Value Travel Destinations in the World for 2015,” with Taiwan ranking 8th globally.
Macau produces microfilm for Taiwanese travelers, starring Weng Ziman and Zhang Ruijia, kicking off with food
The Macao Government Tourism Office invited actress Weng Ziman and actor Zhang Ruijia to star in the microfilm "Meet the Wonderful You – Macau," jointly promoting tourism in Macau. The "Meet the Wonderful You – Macau" microfilm series is divided into six segments: "Food Edition," "Street Edition," "Wedding Edition," "Bicycle Edition," "Tea House Edition," and "Encounter Edition," which will be released one after another starting today.
The most sought-after dish on Sun Princess Cruise: The Chairman’s “Heartwarming Beef Noodles”
The cruise ship Sun Princess is part of Princess Cruises, renowned as the “world’s best large cruise line.” In October, it made its debut with Kaohsiung as its home port, setting sail with over 1,900 passengers. The voyage passed through Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam, Sanya City in Hainan Island, and then on to Hong Kong. Onboard the all-inclusive Sun Princess, it’s said that the most appealing offering isn’t the European-style plated meals or the extensive buffet—but a steaming bowl of Taiwanese beef noodles.
First flights to Japan in Q1 next year Tigerair Taiwan targets Tokyo and Osaka
Following the launch of Taipei-Singapore flights, Tigerair Taiwan recently announced that it will commence services to Bangkok and Chiang Mai on November 14 and 15 respectively. Regarding future flight plans, Tigerair Taiwan stated that Japan routes will begin in the first quarter of next year (2015), targeting popular Japanese destinations among Taiwanese travelers such as Tokyo and Osaka, also to be operated using the A320 aircraft.
Winter wonderland at Huangshan: Breathtaking snowy landscapes, soaking in the "Spiritual Spring," and visiting the ancient Tangmo Village
Huangshan is one of China’s renowned Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains, beautiful in all seasons, but its winter scenery is especially breathtaking. In winter, Huangshan is adorned with jade-like ice and snow, with widespread rime, mist-covered rocks, and icicles that are crystal clear, resembling a blooming coral world. Winter is also the season when sea of clouds forms most frequently, often lingering for days. Covered by vast expanses of white snow, the snow scenery is fairy-tale-like and incredibly stunning.
The Ultimate Self-Guided Travel Guide to Shirakawa-go’s “Gassho Village”! Explore Every Corner of This Tranquil Village
Self-guided travel is the best way to truly get to know and explore Shirakawa-go. You can even arrange to stay in a gassho-style house for a night and fully soak in the village’s serene atmosphere. This article will show you how to make the most of your visit to Shirakawa-go!!
The inn-style house's Northeastern pickled cabbage and pork hot pot is packed with ingredients and delicious—could this hidden gem be the surprise hit?
Hot pot restaurants in Taichung are always fully booked in winter, such as Karuizawa, Bazhian, and Duoxifu, all packed to the brim. All-you-can-eat hot pot options are limited, and prices have been rising year by year, leaving me, a hot pot enthusiast, suddenly unsure where to go for my fix. Later, I came across a review written by a friend about this place called 驿站房 (Yizhanfang), a rather unique name. It specializes in Northeastern pickled cabbage and pork hot pot, serves set meals, and considering the price factor...
China Airlines and Virgin America operate codeshare flights, connecting to 17 domestic U.S. routes
China Airlines has successively launched codeshare partnerships with Virgin America of the United States, WestJet of Canada, and Qantas of Australia starting from October, offering up to 531 weekly flights between Taiwan and North America. By strengthening its routes to the U.S., Canada, and Australia, the airline provides passengers with more flight options and greater convenience.
Pingtung Pbike completes 20 stations; bike pick-up and return take just 3 seconds
The public bicycle system (Pbike) in Pingtung County has fully completed the setup of all 20 rental stations. To help the public familiarize themselves with the operating system, the county government held its first trial ride event on the 24th, with students and cycling groups serving as “test riders” who personally operated bike rentals and returns and experienced riding. Two more group trials will be held subsequently. By involving participants of different age groups, operational suggestions will be gathered.
Meishan Park’s New Highlight: The “Modern Literature Trail” Features Works by Wu Nianzhen and Hou Wenrong
The newly built “Modern Literature Trail” in Meishan Park, Chiayi County, which incorporates works by 32 writers and poets, was officially inaugurated on the 24th. A total of 30 scenic stone installations are spread across the park’s 6-hectare area, featuring excerpts from the works of notable figures and literary personalities from Chiayi County such as Lin Huaimin (from Xingang), Wu Nianzhen (whose father is from Minxiong), Hou Wenrong (from Liujiao), as well as local writers like Wang Qiongliang. This marks the first arts and culture attraction of its kind in the Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan region.
Guanziling Hot Springs in Tainan Launches Free Walking Tours in November
As autumn arrives and temperatures gradually drop, the annual hot spring season is back. Starting November 1, Guanziling Hot Springs in Tainan will offer free urban walking tours of the “Guanziling Hot Spring Town Stroll,” part of the Tainan Michelin Three-Star Journey, every Saturday from 2–4 PM and every Sunday from 9–11 AM.