Travel
Vietjet Air Launches Flights to Taiwan — 15,000 Free Tickets Available from October 10
Nicknamed the "Bikini Airline," Vietjet Air will enter Taiwan’s low-cost carrier market this December and has launched a new route between Taipei and Ho Chi Minh City on the 12th. To celebrate its Taiwan launch, Vietjet Air announced on the 4th that it will release a limited 15,000 free tickets, with sales opening to travelers at midnight on the 10th.
Tainan Clear-Boiled Beef Festival kicks off for 6 days, offering 5,000 free servings of beef soup
The main event of the Tainan Clear-Boiled Beef Festival will commence at 10:00 AM on December 6 at Yongkang District’s Daqiao Night Market. The event will provide 5,000 servings of beef soup for visitors to try, with three separate batches of 750 free bowls available at 11:30, 12:30, and 13:30, allowing thousands to enjoy freshly made beef soup together.
Soak in hot springs while experiencing the charm of an indigenous village — The Hsühai Hot Spring Festival in Mudan Township kicks off for 6 days
Feeling like soaking in a cozy, warm hot spring this winter? The Hsühai Hot Spring Festival in Mudan Township, Pingtung County, is now underway Up！From December 6 to February 28 next year (2015), the Hsühai Hot Spring Festival combines cultural and eco-tourism activities such as hiking ancient trails to greet the sunrise... allowing visitors to not only enjoy hot springs in Mudan Township but also experience the healthy and vibrant atmosphere of a traditional indigenous village.
Non-military personnel can dine in a barracks too – Experience military life at the Headquarters Company of the 172nd Battalion
I stumbled upon this military-themed restaurant in Anping by chance one day. Seeing a few people taking photos and moving around inside, I thought it was already open for business. But the owner said it would officially start serving food on November 8th. Still, he warmly welcomed us to take photos. With such an interesting place, I definitely had to snap some pictures!!
Breaking News / Watch the sunrise from 30,000 feet – China Airlines launches pioneering “2015 Dawn Flight”
China Airlines announced today (4th) that it will pioneer the domestic industry by launching an international “2015 Happiness Dawn Flight,” taking passengers to greet Taiwan’s first ray of sunlight at high altitude — also the highest sunrise in Taiwan. The dawn flight will be operated by a Boeing 737-800, flying from Taoyuan Airport toward the east coast to catch the sunrise first, then heading to Okinawa, Japan for a one-day New Year trip. A total of 158 seats will go on sale at noon on the 5th.
Taiwan loves all-you-can-eat restaurants — the top 10 buffet champions include “Hanshe Le Chef”
All-you-can-eat seems to have an almost indescribable magic for Taiwanese. Every year during travel expos, tickets to buffet restaurants at major hotels sell out like hot cakes. DailyView’s Internet Popularity Meter, which ranks based on online buzz and positive-to-negative sentiment ratio, has selected the top 10 buffet restaurants. The champion is the recently opened Hanshe Le Chef, while the second and third places go to Grand Hyatt’s Café Kafe and Sheraton’s 12 Kitchen, respectively.
"Hunky Dudes & Pretty Gals" + Puyuma Trains – Free 128 Copies of Taiwan Railways Desk Calendar
Taiwan Railways will start distributing 128 copies of the "The Beauty After the Beauties – Taiwan Railways 2015 Desk Calendar" at 10:00 AM on December 8th in front of the Christmas tree at the Multi-function Exhibition Area of Taipei Main Station. Limited quantity – first come, first served until gone!
Future airports are going green—like parks that are both massive and efficient
According to U.S. research firm Plunkett Research, starting in 2033, the number of travelers and airports alike will double, and demographic shifts will soon test airport capacity. In addition to improving efficiency, future airports—driven by growing environmental awareness—will no longer resemble bus terminals but rather large-scale, sustainability-focused “parks.”
The 3D Light Show of the Pingtung Wanjin Christmas Festival Unveiled – Total Length: 10 Minutes 20 Seconds
A 3D light show brings a century-old sacred church to life again. Last year, the Wanjin Christmas Festival introduced a light show for the first time, turning the country’s oldest Wanjin Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary into a living canvas that caused a sensation. Today (5th), Pingtung County Government unveiled the test version of this year’s Wanjin Christmas Festival light show. In addition to continuing the religious elements, green sea turtles and Pingtung agricultural products also appear on the walls of the Basilica, along with cheerful animations loved by children, promising an amazing and magical Christmas night for the public.
5.7-hectare new green space by Bao Mountain Creek – an urban backyard garden with views of Taipei 101
Just about 2 kilometers away from the Taipei 101 shopping district, the Taipei City Government’s Public Works Department, Bureau of Urban Development, has created a new green space of approximately 5.7 hectares. This new area in the valley between Bao Mountain and Shi Mountain is filled with greenery and has become a high-quality urban backyard garden for the public.
No-menu Japanese restaurant: Charred nigiri sushi grilled over charcoal instead of a torch
I've really been enjoying some great food lately. I was invited to the newly opened "Plain and Innocent" in Taipei City. Just looking at the first photo tells you how lucky I am. A whole box full of fresh salmon roe and Japanese sea urchin—absolutely luxurious!
China Airlines launches its first “Dawn Flight” – 158 seats sold out within 10 minutes
China Airlines has pioneered the launch of an international “2015 Happiness Dawn Flight” in Taiwan’s aviation industry, taking passengers to greet the first rays of sunlight across the country—and the highest sunrise in Taiwan—from high above. The flight went on sale at noon today (5th), and within just 10 minutes, all seats were snapped up, with the flight now fully booked.
Japanese-style yakitori alley grill among Asia’s top 500 restaurants – specialty is having a chef grill for you
Pingzi, who loves Japanese-style grilled meat, wanted to share this famous yakitori grill today. It insists on using premium ingredients for great cooking, making diners feel safe and healthy. There are many branches in Taipei, and on this day, Pingzi and her family came to enjoy a hearty meal at Hutong No. 3. Hutong has been recognized by The Miele Guide, Asia’s gourmet dining guide, for three consecutive years, being selected as one of the top 500 quality restaurants in all of Asia. Meat lovers, don’t miss out.
Christmas is coming soon！Five festive zones in Tainan & a 15-meter Christmas tree to be lit on the 7th
The Christmas season is approaching, and the Tainan City Government will hold the "2014 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony" at 6:30 PM on the 7th in front of the Cultural Heritage Bureau Plaza. On the 12th, the second main Christmas tree and surrounding light displays at Xinying Cultural Center will be illuminated. There are a total of five festive zones across Tainan for the public to visit and enjoy.
Japan’s popular sleeper train “Hokutosei” to be discontinued in March 2015
The sleeper train “Hokutosei,” connecting Ueno in Japan with Sapporo, is set to be discontinued in March 2015. According to a report by Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, the Hokutosei, which has been in operation since 1988, will be retired in March 2015 due to the aging of the train cars and the upcoming opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
China Airlines flight attendants' desk calendar unveiled: Five celebrities from the entertainment industry and Yang Chenglin's twin sisters spotted
China Eastern Airlines today (December 5) released its latest 2015 cutout displays and desk calendar. The flight attendants featured in this year’s calendar all have strikingly star-like faces, with the most unique duo being a pair of twins who bear a striking resemblance to Yang Chenglin. Whenever the two stand together, people can’t help but ask, “Which one is the older sister and which is the younger?”
Shimoda Kinzan in Shizuoka Offers an Ultra-Realistic Replica of Mining Tunnels – Experience the Dream of Being a "Gold Tycoon"
Driving along Suruga Bay on the Nishi-Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka, Japan, you’ll find a gold mine tourism park — Japan’s second-largest mining site, “Shimoda Kinzan.” The park preserves the complete cultural landscape of gold mining and recreates scenes of labor in the Edo-period mine tunnels, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back in time upon entering the shafts. Additionally, the site houses a 250-kilogram gold block and offers a “gold panning” experience, giving people a taste of the thrill of striking it rich.
The best island-hopping tour in the world’s most amazing island—Palawan. This is what paradise on Earth really looks like!
Palawan in the Philippines is hailed as “the last frontier,” and was recently voted by readers of the renowned American magazine Condé Nast Traveler as the best island in the world for 2014. Beating out islands from Europe, the Americas, and Australia, what exactly makes Palawan so enchanting? Reporters from ETtoday and Eastern News Network embarked on the most popular island-hopping (Island Hopping) tour with a seasoned local guide.
The Yilan Jiaoxi Hot Spring Festival Kicks Off – Bathtub and Showerhead Installations Add Charm
The “2014 Winter Love Yilan Hot Spring Festival” launched today, running from December 6 to January 4 of next year — a full month-long event. This year, the organizers have created an atmosphere of a small hot spring town using various art installations such as bathtubs, shower curtains, and showerheads. They have also planned cycling routes and discounts from many local businesses, aiming to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Don’t open the window on high-altitude flights! 8 discomforts of long-haul flights — have you experienced any?
A long-haul flight that lasts over ten hours can leave you feeling dizzy and seeing stars by the time you step off the plane. Have you had this experience? According to Australian media couriermail, changes in the surrounding environment during long flights affect the normal functioning of the human body, leading to various physiological reactions and symptoms. Therefore, how to take care of your body during long journeys is also one of the essential preparations for travel.