Travel
China Airlines’ Family Cabin for Kids Opens in December: Draw Taipei–LA Round-Trip Tickets by Painting
China Airlines’ new 777-300ER Family Cabin will begin service in December, along with the launch of the “Kids’ Flight Storybook Experience Game.” Simply draw family characters on the special paper provided, then use a mobile phone or tablet to bring them to life digitally—once the task is completed, you can enter to win flight tickets and even experience the new 777-300ER aircraft firsthand.
Songshan Line’s 8-Station Business District Offers Amazing Discounts & Raohe Night Market Gives Away Bags for Spending Over NT$1,000
To celebrate the opening of the Taipei Metro Songshan Line, business districts and night markets along the 8 stations are rolling out special offers. Over 100 shops are providing great deals—come grab the bargains while they last.
YouBike service at MRT Guting Station to launch on the 20th — more convenient access to Shida Night Market!
The YouBike service at MRT Guting Station is set to officially launch on November 20th. It will connect with the stations at Heping-Chongqing Intersection and Jinshan-Aiguo Intersection, complementing the Taiwan Normal University Station, offering the public more convenient transportation options.
Yokohama Panda Hotel Chinese Restaurant – A Very “Sichuan-style” Mapo Tofu
Actually, I hadn’t particularly planned to eat in Yokohama, as I was already both hungry and tired from walking. So I stood outside this Panda Hotel for a while pondering. Since we were in Chinatown, I figured, when in Rome… Alright, let’s go in and give it a try.
Admire art in the old vault — Free admission to Yilan Art Museum during trial operation period
Yilan Art Museum, renovated from a historic building, has finally officially opened and entered its trial operation phase after long-term planning and preparation. From now until February 23 of next year, the public can visit the museum free of charge.
The most beautiful starry sky: Van Gogh’s masterpiece transformed into a glowing bike path
When it comes to Dutch painters, who comes to mind? Right, it’s Van Gogh. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Van Gogh’s death, his fellow countryman — Dutch artist and designer Daan Roosegaarde — drew inspiration from his work “The Starry Night” to create this stunning and dazzling bicycle path.
Japan’s super-popular steam train SL Galaxy – vintage carriages with a galaxy-themed design that turn heads
Originally, we had planned to ride the SL Aizu-Wakamatsu, SL Galaxy, and SL Hitoyoshi, but the SL-series sightseeing trains were so popular that in the end, we could only secure seats on the SL Galaxy. “SL” stands for Steam Locomotive. These days, most SL trains operate as sightseeing services across various regions. The SL Galaxy is a special train themed around Kenji Miyazawa’s work “Night on the Galactic Railroad,” running on the Kamaishi Line between Hanamaki and Kamaishi.
Lightly roasted and not greasy at all – Taipei’s Gongguan offers spicy hotpot-flavored marinated meats grilled with “secret powder”!
Have you ever tried spicy hotpot-flavored marinated meats that are grilled? “30 Road – Dry Roast Headquarters,” located near Taipei Metro’s Gongguan Station, just opened in November this year. The entire bowl of marinated meats is infused with the aroma of numbing-spicy flavors that whet your appetite. The shop uses a special “dry roast” method to reduce moisture and concentrate the flavors, so it doesn’t feel greasy at all. Topped with the shop’s signature “secret powder,” the dish delivers a strong numbing kick that’s incredibly satisfying.
On sale from midnight on November 20: Peach Aviation one-way Taipei Taoyuan–Osaka special price NT$1,980
Peach Aviation announced a winter warmth promotion running from 00:00 on November 20 to 23:59 on November 24, offering one-way flights from Taoyuan to Osaka for NT$1,980 and one-way from Taoyuan to Okinawa for NT$1,480.
The L’Amitié Beitou Hotel launches a Christmas feast & guests can also get a mystery gift with their stay
To celebrate the Christmas season, the L’Amitié Beitou Hot Spring Hotel announced that on Christmas Eve 2014, they have prepared the “L’Amitié Reindeer Night” event for in-house guests. Guests just need to wear a Santa hat and say the secret password to receive a small Christmas gift.
Welcoming the Inauguration of the National Taichung Theater – Taiwan’s Largest 3D Light Show to Premiere on the 21st
Dubbed by international media as the “Ninth New Landmark of the World,” the National Taichung Theater will officially open on the 23rd. The Taichung Cultural Affairs Bureau has recently launched a series of warm-up events, including what is claimed to be the grandest 3D light projection show in Taiwan, “3D Light Night,” which will premiere on the 21st.
Shuzenji in Shizuoka "Turning from Green to Red"! Officials Predict Full Color Change Throughout the Area Next Week
Located in the central part of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Shuzenji enters its "Autumn Leaves Festival" season every year from mid-November to early December. Among them, the three maple viewing areas—Shuzenji Temple, Niji no Sato, and the Shuzenji Onsen Stroll Path—are even referred to by the Japanese as the "No.1 Autumn Leaves Spot." The leaves have gradually started turning red since the 18th, and officials predict that they will all be fully red next week. If you're a fan of autumn foliage, you definitely shouldn't miss it!
Should you bring your own toiletries? 5 essential tips for first-time cruise travelers
Cruise travel, which has been popular in Europe and America for decades, has gradually become another travel option for Taiwanese people in recent years. However, for most travelers, there are still many questions about what luggage to prepare and how to choose an itinerary when opting for a “cruise.” Zhang Yiting, currently serving as the International Public Relations Manager at Princess Cruises headquarters, offers the following advice for beginners planning a cruise trip.
Christmas at Baxianshan – Make Your Own Unique Christmas Wind Chime!
This winter, Baxianshan is filled with a strong Christmas atmosphere. This year (2014), the Baxianshan Nature Education Center has launched the “Christmas Woodworking Workshop,” inviting the public to create unique Christmas wind chimes using fallen leaves, twigs, fruits, and wooden pieces of various sizes.
Easier in-depth tours of Gaomei Wetlands Taichung City buses routes 3 lead directly to the visitor center
Want to explore Gaomei Wetlands more deeply? It’s about to get even easier! With the recent completion and opening of the new Gaomei Wetlands Visitor Center parking lot, three Taichung City bus routes—111, 178, and 179—have added a “Gaomei Wetlands Visitor Center” stop effective immediately, allowing travelers to go directly to Gaomei Lighthouse and the wooden boardwalk.
HowToTrip offers China Airlines flights at 29% off — Taipei to Taitung one-way from NT$1,730
HowToTrip exclusively launched the “China Airlines Taitung Annual Pass starting from 29% off” from November 2014 to January 31, 2015. The lowest discounted fare for a one-way flight from Taipei to Taitung starts at just NT$1,730. The “Round Island Star + China Airlines Taitung Enriched 2-Day Tour” takes you to Taitung’s Jialulan Recreation Area, Jintan Lookout, the Donghe Bridge which combines engineering and artistic beauty, the uniquely scenic Water Flowing Uphill, and the coastal erosion platform of Little Yehliu.
So envious！He bought a Philippines Boracay trip and won 5 million NT all to himself
Winning 500,000 NT in cash out of the blue isn’t a dream！The Philippine Department of Tourism recently made big giveaways at the ITF Travel Fair—anyone who booked a trip to the Philippines had a chance to enter a lucky draw, with the grand prize being 500,000 NT in cash, which was won solely by Mr. Li from New Taipei City. The Philippine Department of Tourism Taiwan Office held an award ceremony today (19th), where Mr. Li stated that he plans to use the prize money to take his whole family on a trip to the Philippines.
The southernmost train station on mainland Japan, surrounded only by endless rice fields
In early August 2013, after taking the Kirishima Open Air Museum Limited Express to Ibusuki and enjoying the famous sand bath, I walked back to Ibusuki Station, then took the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line to JR’s southernmost terminal station — “Nishidaisen” Station. Nishidaisen Station, which opened in 1960 and is located at 31 degrees 11 minutes north latitude, was once the southernmost station in Japan. However, after the Okinawa Urban Monorail began operations in 2003, the title of Japan’s southernmost station shifted to the monorail’s “Akamine” Station.
Working and traveling in Austria is no longer a dream: up to 50 visa slots to open by the end of this year
Good news for those dreaming of working and traveling in Austria. On the 19th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Taipei Representative Office in Austria and the Austrian Office in Taipei have signed a "Joint Statement on the Youth Working Holiday Program," opening up 50 visa slots, with implementation expected by the end of 2014 at the earliest.
Norway's new passport is super cool — stunning auroras appear under UV light
Norway has recently unveiled the results of its new passport design competition, and they're amazing — under natural ultraviolet light, the passports reveal aurora colors.