Travel
A Millennium Landmark Icon: Ride the London Eye and Soar Above the Thames
The London Eye stands on the south bank of the River Thames, built to celebrate the UK’s Millennium. Once the world’s tallest and first-ever observation Ferris wheel, it reaches a height of 135 meters and is truly spectacular. Riding the wheel offers breathtaking panoramic views of London, with the vast blue sky and graceful River Thames playing mere supporting roles. At night, the dazzling multicolored lights shine brilliantly, drawing endless streams of visitors daily.
The most magical theme park that every Muggle dreams of visiting — A guide to enjoying The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
Officially opened in July 2014, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is located within Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. With frequent new features being added, many people seem to plan a trip here every once in a while to immerse themselves in the whimsical world and thrilling rides.
Newlywed Photo Spot in Zhuzihhu, Yangmingshan – “Taro Love Path” Offers Distant Views of Little Oil Pit
The “Taro Love Path” is surrounded by romantic taro flowers, beautiful love blooms, and vibrant hydrangeas, which form unique features such as scenic windows, resting platforms, riverside trails, and meditation shelters—providing an ideal location for couples to take wedding photos.
Osaka Daiseki Suisan Conveyor Belt Sushi – Must-Try Scallops Series: Big, Sweet, and Unmissable
Dotonbori is almost a must-visit area for anyone coming to Osaka. It has many famous restaurants and shops, including Golden Dragon Ramen, Ichiran Ramen, Mizuno Osaka Yakiniku, and more. Adjacent to it are Senba, Shinsaibashi, and Ebisubashi. Thanks to its convenient shopping options, it attracts many tourists, and even at night, it remains as lively as a city that never sleeps. This was my first stop in Japan, and since it’s close to the Dormy Inn where I was staying, I decided to eat here. The restaurant I chose was Daiseki Conveyor Belt Sushi, which I had been eager to revisit. It was recommended to me by a friend, and after trying it specially during the cherry blossom season in April this year, I was deeply impressed — it’s really that affordable and great value.
Old P and Po make an appearance at the Taichung Flower Carpet Festival – surprise appearances at unexpected times!
The Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival and Xinshe Flower Sea have attracted over one million visitors since their opening. The Tourism Bureau announced that this Saturday (22nd) and next Sunday (30th), the popular cartoon characters “Old P” and “Po” will make surprise appearances at the Xinshe Flower Sea.
Top-tier weddings pull out all the stops with eye-catching ice-sculpted pumpkin carriages and bars
The competition among hotel operators for the wedding banquet market has reached a fever pitch. In addition to promoting luxury experiences, they are also pulling out all the creative stops to attract engaged couples. One Taipei hotel has come up with an unusual idea—offering ice-sculpted pumpkin carriages, ice-sculpted bars, cake gowns, and even honeymoon packages at the Shangri-La in Paris or the Maldives.
Overpacked again? Foreign media reveals 10 major packing mistakes to avoid
Previously, we shared 15 items you shouldn’t pack in your suitcase. This time, the most authoritative travel magazine in the world, Condé Nast Traveler U.S. edition, also lists 10 packing mistakes you should never make.
Fly Tigerair to Macau for New Year’s Eve countdown! The first batch of budget airfares under NT$1,000 is expected to go on sale in mid-December.
With TransAsia Airways announcing new routes, competition among Taiwan’s domestic low-cost carriers has intensified. Tigerair Taiwan, which already operates flights to Singapore, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai, plans to launch a new route between Taipei and Macau by the end of 2014, and will also introduce promotional fares under NT$1,000 for Macau trips.
Naturally handmade ice cream that even Koreans go crazy for – fresh, delicious, and fun
Recently, Korean frozen treats have embraced a trend toward natural ingredients. Low-calorie, low-fat ice creams can no longer satisfy Koreans’ dedication to health. Instead, products that emphasize being natural and free from artificial additives are winning over modern health-conscious consumers. One especially popular new trend is Brick pop, which makes popsicles from fresh fruit.
The weather isn't cold enough — the best time to view the maple leaves in Aowanda may be postponed to late December.
Alishan has now entered its peak foliage season. What about Aowanda, another popular maple-viewing destination? According to park officials, because the weather hasn’t turned cold enough, only 30–40% of the maple leaves have turned red so far. In previous years, the optimal time to view the foliage was around mid-December, but based on current climate conditions, this year’s prime period may be slightly delayed.
Video / The Happiness of Kaohsiung People - Time-lapse Footage of Light Rail Dynamic Testing
After static testing, Kaohsiung’s light rail underwent dynamic testing on the 22nd. The Facebook page “Kaohsiung Incredible” also shared time-lapse footage of the dynamic test, showing the light rail train slowly moving along while many construction workers were busy at work along the route.
The YouBike card lets you rent bikes and take boat rides — Sun Moon Lake becomes Taiwan’s first low-carbon smart scenic area
Taiwan’s first national-level low-carbon tourism smart sightseeing scenic area was established today (November 22) at Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. In the future, visitors can enjoy an affordable trip around Sun Moon Lake with discounts of 30% to 10% off by using an e-ticket YouBike card to access electric buses, electric cars, electric boats, cable cars, and bicycles.
JR West to Launch New Pass: Explore San'yo and San'in with One Ticket!
Travel enthusiasts who enjoy exploring Japan independently have likely used a "rail pass" before — when used wisely, it can save you a lot on transportation costs. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the full operation of the San'yo Shinkansen, JR West has introduced three new rail pass products: the "San'yo & San'in," "Kansai & Hiroshima," and "Hiroshima & Yamaguchi," all set to go on sale on March 1, 2015.
The popular meat and egg toast in Taichung — a delicious combination of thick slices of meat and sweet mayonnaise
The toast is stuffed with slices of meat and an egg. Though the combination seems simple and ordinary, the flavor of the meat slices really elevates the dish, attracting many people to line up for it.
【Poll】Top 10 Most Beautiful Maple Viewing Spots in Taiwan – Taipei’s Aowanda Takes the Crown
As Taiwan enters the autumn and winter seasons, not only does the weather gradually turn cooler, but the maple leaves across the island also don a stunning and vibrant red coat. Now is the perfect time to head out for some maple leaf viewing. In fact, you don’t have to go abroad—Taiwan has many amazing spots for maple viewing that are well worth a special trip to admire the scenery.
Don’t mess with your wallet—future unused holiday flight tickets will be voided after the deadline
In the past, if passengers were unable to board their flights due to certain reasons, they could get a refund or switch to other flights (within one year). However, on the 21st, the Civil Aeronautics Administration announced that from now on, for any statutory three-day or longer consecutive holidays as well as temporary extra flights arranged for passenger transportation needs, a “void after expiry” usage restriction can be added to the tickets. The administration hopes this will significantly reduce the occurrence of passengers failing to show up for their booked flights (No Show), ensuring that those who truly need a seat can secure one.
Sold for 27 years straight: Tainan’s unnamed scallion pancake — a pocket-friendly 20 NT dollars packed with scallions
This unnamed scallion pancake stall has been around for 27 years, with limited daily servings — come late and you’ll miss out. Made to order and pan-fried without lard, the thick, soft, and chewy pancake crust is a local Tainan favorite for afternoon tea.
The refreshing Kinmen Qingya Lamb Hot Pot—The lamb is piled up almost like a small mountain
As autumn and winter approach, I visited Kinmen twice this summer. The blazing sun made me drink cold water almost non-stop all day. But on my most recent trip, I happened to encounter a frontal system, and I was staying near the Guiningtou Beishan Seawall. The strong wind carried a slight chill, and the cold weather made me crave some warming, nourishing food. While Kinmen is famously known for its beef hot pot and beef bone hot pot, a local actually recommended we head to Xiabao in Jinning Township...
The picturesque Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area – catch the fiery red maple leaves in November
Taiwan is a mountainous island, and autumn offers many great spots for maple leaf viewing, such as Aowanda, Fushoushan, Lishan, Taipingshan... and the 【Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area】 featured in this article.
The best part of staying on a cruise ship: pull back the curtains and enjoy a "shape-shifting" private sea view
While the wide variety of entertainment facilities on a cruise ship is certainly exciting, if you’re looking for a completely undisturbed private space, cozying up in your cabin is also a great way to spend your leisurely time at sea. And if your room comes with a balcony, all you need to do is draw back the curtains to take in your own exclusive, breathtaking ocean view.