Travel
The hot spring season is here！ Keep these 12 tips in mind for a relaxing soak and to fully enjoy the charm of hot springs
As Lidong (the Beginning of Winter) has passed, the weather is getting colder, and more people are heading to hot springs. However, longer soaking doesn’t necessarily mean better results. To soak healthily, the Tourism Bureau reminds the public that those who are sleep-deprived, overworked mentally, or have just consumed alcohol should avoid hot springs to prevent cerebral anemia or hot spring shock. Keep these 12 essential hot spring tips in mind to enjoy their benefits safely.
Enter at your own risk: Witnessing “Living Ghosts” on a freezing New Year’s Eve in Akita, Japan
In Japan’s northeastern Akita region, there is a unique and authentic traditional custom where, every Lunar New Year’s Eve, “Living Ghosts” visit every household to check on family members and identify any lazy individuals. If someone is caught slacking off, they may be taken back to the mountains as a sacrifice. To allow more travelers to witness this spectacle firsthand, a customs museum has been specially built on the Noshiro Peninsula, where visitors can observe the Living Ghosts making their entrance.
MRT Songshan Line Opens to Public & Dynasty Hotel Launches “Stay One Night, Get One Night Free” Promotion
The long-awaited MRT Songshan Line officially opened on November 15, allowing travelers to travel directly from Xindian Station to Songshan Station. Dynasty Hotel, located near Exit 1 of Taipei Arena Station, is offering a limited daily quota of five “Stay & Dine Group Fun” double-benefit packages. Book a luxury suite for one night and get a deluxe room for one night free—you can choose to stay two consecutive nights or book two rooms at the same time. This provides flexible accommodation options for domestic travelers, along with buffet breakfast and dinner at the hotel’s atrium café and a 24-hour MRT pass. The original price was NT$25,438, now available for just NT$8,888+10%. Additionally, Dynasty Hotel has launched the “Explore Taipei” package at NT$2,800+10% per room, which includes one night in a deluxe double room, the “Lucky Taipei – Welcome Aboard” guidebook (containing a 24-hour MRT pass), one “Explore Taipei Map,” and a NT$500 dining voucher for Yulanxuan Chinese Restaurant.
Thinking of going skiing? Pair contact lenses with sunglasses—9 essentials for enjoying the ice wonderland
As autumn and winter approach, many people begin planning overseas trips to enjoy snowscapes and skiing. Based on over a decade of experience, China Wusong Travel Agency has compiled a series of winter travel tips for those visiting cold regions like northeastern China, helping snow enthusiasts prepare in advance and avoid ruining their trip.
Taiwan Champion of the World Barista Championship Crowned – Wu Zelin Retains Title
The Taiwan champion of the 2015 WBC (World Barista Championship) has been announced！Champion Wu Zelin, who also won in 2014, will once again represent Taiwan at the world competition in Seattle in April 2016. Last year, in 2014, Wu achieved a global ranking of 7th and has 9 years of professional coffee experience.
Exclusive for foreign travelers: Jeju Island’s “Golden Bus” shuttles, becoming a new cityscape attraction
Korea’s “honeymoon island”—Jeju, known for its natural and laid-back pace, is loved by many international visitors. Recently, a foreigner-exclusive “Jeju Golden Bus” has been launched locally. The shiny, golden-colored bus shuttling through the streets has become the latest scenic sight in downtown Jeju.
Jean-Georges Vong’s New Taiwanese Cuisine – “RAW” to Begin Soft Launch on Nov 20, Official Opening on Dec 9
Formerly the Executive Chef at the three-Michelin-starred French restaurant Le Jardin des Sens and named one of Asia’s Top 10 Best Young Chefs, André Chiang has announced his return to Taiwan to open the “RAW” restaurant. After a period of preparation, “RAW” is set to begin an “internal soft launch” on November 20 and officially open on December 9.
Hakone offers a limited-time "Yakult Hot Spring" to experience the charm of lactic acid bacteria with your body
The Japanese hot spring theme park "Hakone Kowakien Yunessun," known for offering a variety of "flavored" hot springs, previously collaborated with Afternoon Tea to launch three Afternoon Series hot springs. This time, it has partnered with Yakult to introduce a limited-time "Yakult Hot Spring," allowing visitors to personally experience the fun of soaking in Yakult.
Yilan-style Traditional Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles – The broth is clear, sweet, and flavorful, with tender, juicy chicken.
This time, DaKou is taking everyone on another food adventure in Yilan again. While on an assignment in Yilan, we happened to spot two spots on our must-visit list — “16th Lane Chicken and Melon Meatball Noodles” and “30-Year-Old Shop Lemon Grass Jelly” — just nearby. Despite the holiday crowds, we immediately queued up. These two eateries are located along Section 3, Zhongshan Road in Yilan City...
Head to Nan’ao for a break and try a bowl of black vinegar noodles, paired with a sweet and tangy peeled chili chicken soup for the perfect combo.
Nan’ao is an important stopover between Yilan and Hualien. Most drivers stop here to take a break, grab a bite, and then hit the road. This black vinegar noodle spot is a super popular little eatery right on Nan’ao’s main street (Provincial Highway 9).
Step into high-heeled daisy shoes and shout YES I DO！The Taipei Shilin Official Residence Chrysanthemum Exhibition kicks off
The "Shilin Official Residence Chrysanthemum Exhibition", which was highly praised last year for its yellow chrysanthemum duck and the record-breaking large spray chrysanthemum, is making a lively comeback this year！Themed around the 2014 homophone “Love You for a Lifetime," the event features six major chrysanthemum exhibition areas at the Shilin Official Residence, open free to the public from today until the 30th.
TransAsia Airways is recruiting 30 new flight attendants with no height or age restrictions
TransAsia Airways announced that it has launched a recruitment drive for flight attendants starting today, with plans to hire 30 new team members. There are no gender, height, or age restrictions for applicants. Regarding salary, the airline’s public relations office stated that the compensation will definitely meet industry standards and be competitively positioned in the market.
Take an open-top cable car to overlook Switzerland’s Stanserhorn and discover "Little Taiwan" on the mountainside—a plateau with an 80% resemblance to the island!
Is there a Little Taiwan in Switzerland? The Stanserhorn near Lucerne has gained fame in recent years due to its newly renovated "open-top cable car." However, Taiwanese visitors here can not only ride vintage and open-top cable cars but also spot a "Little Taiwan" on the plains during the journey—a plateau that strikingly resembles Taiwan, with an 80% similarity in shape, making it quite an intriguing sight.
Is uploading a night photo of the Eiffel Tower illegal? Management company clarifies: It's all rumors
Recently, there were reports that the nighttime view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris is subject to portrait rights, and anyone who posts it online could face legal action. The management company of the Eiffel Tower recently responded, calling it an “unfounded rumor.” As long as it’s not for commercial use, individual tourists taking and sharing photos are completely exempt from copyright restrictions.
Taoyuan Airport’s Terminal 2 Arrival Hall Gets a New Look; Set to Open Before Lunar New Year
Taoyuan Airport Terminal 2, which was completed in 2000, is currently undergoing a series of renovation projects. The airport authority plans to improve areas such as the arrival hall, the north and south corridors of the arrival hall, the immigration corridor within the restricted area, and the covered walkways around Terminal 2 by 2016, aiming to create a warm and Taiwan-inspired environment for travelers and those picking up passengers.
The sound of a baby crying echoes from a dark cave... but it turns out to be the call of the living fossil, the Chinese giant salamander.
If the spectacular peaks and grotesque rocks are Zhangjiajie’s most famous geological wonders, then the living fossil "Chinese giant salamander," which has lived since the age of the dinosaurs, can be said to be the region’s most representative and precious creature.
Tourism isn’t just a distant dream anymore—The Landis Taipei launches the “Homeless Youth Self-Sufficiency Program.”
In recent years, Taiwan’s tourism industry has flourished, with the hospitality sector becoming the dream career for many students. Meanwhile, vulnerable youth who have lost their homes in society need even more support. This year, marking its 35th anniversary, The Landis Group—comprising The Eurest Catering and six sister hotels—has joined forces with the Chinese Christian Social Welfare Association (CCSA) to co-create the “Homeless Youth Self-Sufficiency Program.”
You won't find these at chain stores—recommended hidden gem souvenirs in Macau that are stylish yet traditional
Many visitors to Macau looking to buy souvenirs often go for well-known chains like Jiage, Chui Heung Yuen, or Ying Kee Bakery. But if you’re aiming for something “special,” check out this insider’s list recommended by the Macau Tourism Board. They’ve spotlighted three unique souvenir shops that stand apart from common options—these include an old-school almond cookie shop tucked away in a lane, Macau’s only butter cake, and over 300 varieties of canned sardines. Bring them back to Taiwan and they’ll definitely impress even the pickiest family and friends!
Scoot Airlines launched flights between Singapore and Cairns in 2015, making it more convenient to reach the Great Barrier Reef
Scoot Airlines announced that it plans to commence flights between Singapore and Cairns, Australia, on May 30, 2015, making Cairns its second destination in Australia after Darwin.
Little Brown Bear as the Driver: Jimmy Liao’s “Moon Bus” Takes Passengers into a Whimsical World
Recently, at the intersection of Xinyi Road and Songzhi Road, an unmoving bus has appeared—but everyone is more than happy to line up for a ride and disembark with satisfied smiles. It turns out this bus is the Moon Bus, themed around Jimmy Liao’s picture book *The Moon Forgets*, and it is Taipei’s first large-scale outdoor installation inspired by Jimmy Liao.