Travel
Thailand’s visa fee exemption confirmed not to be extended – last one week as travelers rush to apply
Thailand’s tourist visa fee exemption is set to end this week, sparking a “rush to apply for Thai visas.” Since Monday, long queues have formed outside the Thai Trade Office as people line up to collect number tickets—all aiming to catch the final opportunity for the free visa. The Thai government has officially announced that the visa fee exemption will run until November 8, but the Thai Trade Office is closed on Saturdays, so applicants must complete their free visa application by the 7th at the latest.
Crispy puff pastry layered with caramel custard — a delicious thousand-layer pie hidden in Taipei’s tech district
Wunique Patisserie is still in its operational phase. I found out about this French patisserie through the SWEET大好き fan page. The shop is located in an alley behind the Far Eastern Plaza. There isn’t even a signboard outside, making it very low-key. There are only three tables inside, so I had to wait a bit for a seat.
The only provincial capital through which the Yellow River flows See “Mother” first, then eat beef noodles in Lanzhou
To promote the tourism highlights of Lanzhou, Jin Xiaoping, Deputy Director of the Lanzhou Tourism Bureau on the mainland, led a delegation to Taiwan to participate in the 2014 Taipei International Travel Fair, and held a tourism promotion event today (November 4). Organizations such as the Quality Assurance Association, local travel associations, and industry operators were all invited to attend. Jin Xiaoping stated at the event that in addition to its natural scenery and historical sites, the biggest features of Lanzhou are its “coolness” and “snow.”
Video / The most thrilling beach in the Caribbean — planes roar overhead
Sun, sand, and bikinis — island getaways are always relaxing. But you might not imagine that traveling to Sint Maarten in the Caribbean means your ears aren't greeted by birdsong, but the deafening roar of massive Boeing 747s.
TRA cancels round-trip ticket discounts for Puyuma and Taroko trains, effective November 10
The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) announced that starting November 10, 2014 (based on transaction date), it will cancel the 10% discount on round-trip tickets for Puyuma and Taroko trains (new Tze-Chiang Limited Express services), including any leg of the journey (either outbound or return) taken on a new Tze-Chiang Limited Express. Discounts on other Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains remain at 10% for round-trip tickets.
Foundation stone laid for Namaxia’s “Ma Xing Hala Bridge” featuring triangular and solar cultural elements
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ma Xing Hala pedestrian landscape bridge in Dakanuwa, Namaxia District, was held today (5th). Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu stated that once the pedestrian bridge is completed in June next year (2015), it will shorten the commute time for students of Minsheng Elementary School and enhance transportation between the two villages. By integrating features of indigenous traditional culture and the region’s natural ecology into this distinctive bridge design, it will boost library usage and inject new vitality into Namaxia District.
China Airlines 777 “Waterways & Mountain Posts” English Naming Contest – Open to University Students
China Airlines today (5th) unveiled its 2015 wall and desk calendars, featuring six flight attendants sharing the story of 777 aesthetics. The new generation of China Airlines, represented by a dimple-cheeked flight attendant, was selected for the shoot. The airline also held an English naming competition for “Waterways & Mountain Posts,” inviting university students across the country to unleash their creativity.
China Airlines 2015 Calendar Released – Flight Attendant Xiaolin Yichen with Cute Dimples Also Joins the Photoshoot
China Airlines today (5th) released its 2015 wall and desk calendars, featuring six flight attendants telling the story of 777 aesthetics. This year, the airline carefully selected star-faced flight attendants with charming dimples—such as Guo Xuefu, Lin Yichen, and Sui Tang—who represent the new generation of China Airlines. Their captivating and approachable appeal drew a crowd to the calendar launch event.
Robots, skydiving, ocean views from above — the ultra-luxury cruise ship Quantum of the Seas may come to Taiwan
Although this ship is currently only the third largest in the world, it's called a "smart cruise ship." Why? Because it's seriously cool inside — it has robot bartenders and a skydiving simulator.
Travel fair discounts to attract customers: Free visas for Hong Kong at HK$7,888 and Vietnam at VND15,500
The ITF Taipei International Travel Fair will take place from November 7 to November 10 at Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center. During the four-day event, travel companies are rolling out attractive deals to draw in customers. E旅行网 (E旅行 Network) is promoting overseas travel with the slogan “under NT$10,000, challenging the lowest market prices, and the most competitive prices including taxes,” featuring packages such as “Hong Kong free and easy for 3 days starting from NT$7,888” and “Okinawa free and easy for 3 days starting from NT$8,900.”
Daily rental apartments may be small but have everything you need — experience authentic Japanese life
This trip to Tokyo was actually half business inspection and half leisure. It’s called a five-day, four-night trip, but I only really had four days to play around. Plus, the flight schedule was quite odd — departing and returning at dawn — so thanks to that flight, I even booked a capsule hotel at Narita Airport to catch the 6 a.m. flight. That way, I got to experience a daily rental apartment, a backpacker hostel, and a capsule hotel all in one trip！
Li Fangyu’s First Visit to Kinmen & Falling in Love with Guangdong Porridge with More Toppings Than Rice, Served with Youtiao
With frequent cross-strait exchanges, Kinmen has become the most convenient small-three-links port for entering mainland China. What happened to the 100,000 troops, the bunkers everywhere, and the top-secret military tunnels? What does Kinmen look like today? Let’s follow renowned travel show host Li Fangyu to find out more!
Bikini Airline is here！ Vietjet to launch flights in December with 50% lower fares and free tickets
The low-cost carrier Vietjet, nicknamed the "Bikini Airline" for frequently using bikini-clad flight attendants to generate buzz, is set to officially launch its Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City route on December 12 this year. In addition to giving away 3,500 free tickets in the first wave, it will also offer promotional one-way fares at NT$323. The basic round-trip fare including taxes and fees of around NT$5,000 is nearly 50% cheaper than traditional airlines.
The heartthrob is back! EVA Air posts "I See Peace" ad; Chen Kun's endorsement only until November
Heartthrob Chen Kun recently shot the "I SEE YOU" ad for EVA Air, which created a wave of enthusiasm and also made the "Chen Kun Tree" in Chihshang Township, Taitung, famous. Yesterday (5) evening, EVA Air posted its latest ad "I See Peace" on its official fan page. In addition to scenes from Chen Kun's latest movie "The Crossing," the ad also cleverly continues the spirit of "I SEE YOU." The heartthrob's charm remains irresistible, with the video garnering over 10,000 views within hours of its release.
When is the best time to buy plane tickets? A three-year UK study concludes: 53 days before departure
In tough economic times but still longing for a little trip, the magic everyone wishes they had is undoubtedly “booking the cheapest flight at the right time!” But who can accurately pinpoint which day? What exact time?
Optimistic about Northeast Asia’s development, Boeing: Cross-strait flights to exceed 700 per week
With the growth of the economy and the low-cost airline model, Boeing estimates that between 2014 and 2033, the Northeast Asia region—including Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—will need to purchase 1,340 new commercial aircraft, valued at over US$280 billion. The majority of these will be wide-body aircraft to meet the demand for long-haul international routes in the region.
Both primitive and futuristic – The Star Wars director’s Lucas Museum resembles a luxury space station
No, what you’re seeing right now isn’t from a sci-fi movie set. This “futuristic” building that looks a bit like a luxury space station comes with a price tag of $300 million and is set to be built on the shores of Chicago. It’s the museum of Star Wars director George Lucas. Scheduled to open in 2018.
Boosting Consumption: New Taiwan Dollar Carry Limit Raised to NT$100,000 for Entry and Exit Travelers
Attention travelers who are used to carrying large amounts of cash abroad for shopping or transactions—Up！In consideration of the rising domestic consumption level and to promote the development of the tourism industry, the Central Bank has raised the limit on the amount of New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) that travelers can
Macanese-style crab pot brings Southeast Asian flavors to the Grand Hotel’s “old restaurant, new elements”
Starting this year, the historic Grand Hotel Taipei has undergone extensive renovations in its exterior, guest rooms, and restaurants. Among them, the new head chef of the Golden Dragon Restaurant, Hsu Yao-kuang, has infused the cuisine with diverse and innovative elements, drawing on his extensive experience in Chinese cooking. Originally specializing in Cantonese cuisine, Chef Hsu doesn’t stick solely to it—he aims to blend culinary influences from other regions and international styles. For the autumn crab feast he introduced, Chef Hsu selected five types of seasonal crabs.
ITF Taipei International Travel Fair Kicks Off Tomorrow – Check Out the Key Discounts Here
The year-end “ITF Taipei International Travel Fair” will open tomorrow (the 7th). Many travelers are gearing up for the end-of-year fair to snap up Spring Festival and New Year’s deals. With the national holidays announced for next year plus flexible compensatory leave, there will be as many as eight breaks of three days or more, and even four days off for New Year’s Day. This travel fair features promotional packages for winter vacation and Spring Festival from various travel agencies, while also focusing on Northeast Asia routes, with expected sales growth of 20–40%.