Travel
Crane's Marsh Hot Springs Launches Starlight Ticket – Beauty and Wellness for Just a Coin
As successive cold fronts sweep in, to help the public stay warm during winter, Taiping Mountain National Forest Recreation Area will launch the "Crane's Marsh Hot Springs Starlight Ticket" on January 1, 2015. Visitors can purchase the discounted starlight ticket for just NT$50 when entering the park after 4:00 PM to access Crane's Marsh Hot Springs (not applicable from Lunar New Year’s Day to the 5th).
Plump, rich crab roe and sweet, tender crab meat – indulge to your heart’s content before the crab season ends
Everyone who knows me knows that my all-time favorite food is the “mountain of crabs.” No, it’s not the name of a dish — I gave it that name myself. It means a plate piled high with crabs, and ideally, it should be piled up like a small mountain. I just love crabs that much.
Asia’s Only Two Sources of Blue Sulfur Springs – Beitou Fuxing Park Opens Free Foot Baths
Feeling like soaking in a hot spring during the cold weather? To meet public demand, the Taipei City Government Department of Economic Development has opened free foot baths at Beitou Fuxing Park starting December 10, allowing visitors to easily enjoy Taiwan’s only blue sulfur springs.
Ride Canada’s “Bear Train”: Chase the Northern Lights and Polar Bears
This train takes passengers to admire large mammals that remain highly active even in the harsh winter. Bold travelers can even step out onto the outdoor walkways for a “close encounter” with the bears, experiencing the thrill of being surrounded by them. Not only that, but when night falls, there’s also a chance to witness the stunning northern lights.
Pilgrimage to Yayoi Kusama’s Healing Giant Pumpkin – The Serene Island Skies of Naoshima, Japan
Naoshima, a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, is most famous for Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkin. Eager to see the adorable sculpture in person, I even extended my trip by staying an extra night in Okayama. Although Naoshima is located within Kagawa Prefecture, it’s actually closer to Okayama. From Uno Port in Okayama, the ferry takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, while from Takamatsu Port, it takes around fifty minutes...
Travel Deeper: Cathay Pacific & Flybe Share Flight Codes for 7 UK Cities
Cathay Pacific has entered into a domestic flight code-share agreement with UK regional airline group Flybe, allowing passengers to fly from Hong Kong to Manchester on Cathay Pacific and then connect to one of seven cities across the British Isles via Flybe’s domestic network.
Piled up grain by grain!"The 'World’s Largest Sand Island' is breathtakingly beautiful
When it comes to the unique natural beauty of Queensland, Australia, most people might think of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Few know that Queensland is also home to another place that is not only listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also boasts extremely rare geographical landscapes and diverse flora and fauna with high ornamental and research value—that is Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.
Last week to ride Taipei MRT Songshan Line for free Next Monday deductions will start from your EasyCard
Taipei MRT’s Songshan Line officially opened in mid-November and offered free rides for a month. Now the promotion is coming to an end this Sunday (14th), and starting December 15th, normal fares will be deducted from your EasyCard.
Hidden Gem in Osaka: An Industrial-Chic "Dentist Café" Nestled in an Old Street, Perfect for Photos
Located in Izumiotsu City in southern Osaka, which boasts many historic streets, there is a unique "dentist café" tucked away in the local old quarter. Combining the concepts of a dental clinic and a café, its minimalist design merges exposed concrete with industrial style, creating a highly fashionable space. It has become a local hidden gem, with many people exclaiming, "Getting dental treatment here is just too wonderful!"
Cat cafés are no longer a novelty—Japan’s theme parks launch the world’s first “capybara café”!
Cat cafés are no longer a novelty; Japan’s current trend is the “capybara café”! Visitors can not only get up close with capybaras and watch their adorable antics in the hot springs, but also enjoy unlimited drinks.
Top of New Tourism Bureau's Recommended Top 10 Seafood Restaurants – Jumbo Seafood’s Taiwan Flagship Store Opens on December 16
Friends who have been to Singapore must have tried Jumbo Seafood, ranked first among the Singapore Tourism Board’s top 10 seafood restaurants. Now you can enjoy their signature chili crab and pepper crab without leaving Taiwan. Jumbo Seafood’s first Taiwan store will open on December 16, located on the 3rd floor of A8, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi New World.
First “MIT” Cargo-Passenger Ship: The “Donghai Pearl” Launched in the East China Sea off Matsu
The cargo-passenger ship “Donghai Pearl,” commissioned by Lienchiang County Government from a shipbuilding company, was launched today in Yilan. It will primarily serve routes between Nangan and Juguang in Matsu, offering improved stability and comfort. In 2012 (Republic of China Year 101), with the aim of providing Matsu residents and tourists with more comfortable sea transportation between Nangan and Juguang, Magistrate Yang Sui-sheng secured a central government subsidy of NT$160 million.
Princess Cruises Partners with Discovery for Ocean Exploration Voyages Launching in 2015
Princess Cruises recently announced a collaboration with Discovery Consumer Products, a division of Discovery Communications, to launch the "Discovery At Sea" cruise vacation experience, offering guests on Princess Cruises newly customized interactive onboard activities and shore excursions.
United Airlines' 4-city U.S. travel package exempts $30,000 fee; direct flights to San Francisco at an early-bird price of NT$16,380
Since United Airlines officially launched daily direct flights from Taipei to San Francisco in March this year, passenger numbers have exceeded 110,000, with a load factor of 90%. Therefore, in addition to offering an early-bird fare of NT$16,380 for direct flights to San Francisco, United Airlines has also introduced the "United Play America Travel Package."
Kaohsiung CityBike Adjusts Fees; Netizens Exclaim: Rental Fee Could Exceed NT$10,000 After 6 Hours!?
Kaohsiung CityBike is adjusting its fee structure. According to an announcement on the Facebook page “Kaohsiung Public Bicycle Fans,” starting from New Year’s Day 2015, the first hour of riding remains free, but after that, the charge increases in increments of NT$10 every half-hour. That means from the second hour onward, the first 30 minutes cost NT$10, and then the fee goes up progressively by NT$20, NT$30, NT$40 for each additional half-hour. Some netizens did the math and exclaimed that after six continuous hours of use, the rental fee could surpass NT$10,000.
The golden ginkgo beauty of Higashi Honganji Temple, accented by Kyoto Tower
There are three main spots to view ginkgo trees in Kyoto: Higashi Honganji Temple in the early foliage season, Horikawa in the mid-season, and Nishi Honganji Temple in the late season. Travelers can choose the most suitable ginkgo viewing spot based on their visit dates. This article introduces the earliest-to-turn Higashi Honganji Temple. The wooded area in front of Higashi Honganji Temple is not only a great cherry blossom spot, but its autumn ginkgo display is also not to be missed—perfect for those arriving in Kyoto early, as it’s part of the early foliage area.
The top countries Asian travelers want to visit for Christmas – Taiwan ranks sixth
A well-known hotel booking website surveyed travelers from 28 countries worldwide on where they most want to spend Christmas. Among Asian travelers, Japan ranked first, Thailand and Malaysia came in second and third respectively, while Taiwan came in sixth, surpassing Germany and France, both of which have strong Christmas atmospheres.
Don’t miss the claypot chicken when visiting Nantou’s Zinan Temple – crispy-skinned, juicy, and incredibly tender
Most people know about the famous Zinan Temple in Zhushan, Nantou, the most renowned temple dedicated to the Earth God in Taiwan. It has many mysterious legends, serves as an important spiritual hub in Nantou County, and is a popular tourist attraction. Every year, numerous devotees from across the country come here to pray for wealth. But here’s the key question – are there any recommended local foods nearby? Of course, it’s the famous claypot chicken of Nantou!
Giant seashells unwashed away by the sea rest on the shore – Kaohsiung Qijin’s latest public art installation
Another large-scale public art piece has emerged in Kaohsiung to beautify the coastline. The brand-new massive artwork “Golden Sea Pearl,” created by the Kaohsiung Harbor Branch, features a huge golden seashell facing the sea, gazing toward passing ships and becoming the newest eye-catching landmark in southern Taiwan’s harbor area.