Travel
A kawaii-style dessert shop — enjoy a thick slice of toast in a world full of adorable plush toys
Even I think this breakfast spot is too cute for words!! 2gether has several branches in Taipei, and this time I visited the most conveniently located Qingguang branch. If you're taking the MRT, get off at Minquan West Road Station (I rode my Ubike there). The shop is right next to Qingguang Market, so it's easy to find. (Right across the street is another quite famous brunch spot, Sabrina House 纱汀娜好食)
New Moscow railway station opens; intertwined metal branches resemble an "underground jungle"
The world’s most beautiful train station may soon have a new addition. A new metro station has recently opened on Moscow’s oldest metro line, the Russian capital’s most historic, featuring a modern design adorned with metallic decorations resembling an "underground forest," attracting crowds who stop to take photos.
Vast fields of Yoshino cherry blossoms will soon be in full bloom. Neihu’s “Back Garden of Taipei” is set to become a new hidden gem for cherry blossom viewing.
Neihu’s Baishihu, known as the “Back Garden of Taipei,” may soon become a new hidden spot for urban cherry blossom viewing? The Taipei City Department of Civil Engineering and Water Management has recently built a cherry blossom viewing lakeside trail here and collaborated with local farmers to allow visitors to come for fruit picking, nature walks, or eco-tourism during holidays, temporarily escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.
Design Your Own Menu: A Feature of Macau’s Michelin Two-Star Restaurant “Zi Yat Heen”
Adjacent to the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Macao is one of the few casinos in Macau that does not operate a gambling floor. This hotel, hailed by numerous travel magazines as one of the best in the world, also houses the Michelin two-star restaurant “Zi Yat Heen,” which naturally piques curiosity.
Sleep with an octopus！Stay at an underwater hotel to admire the marine world
Are you prone to seasickness on glass-bottom boats? Do you dream of a colorful underwater world but can’t swim? These problems now have a solution！According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the “Manta Underwater Hotel,” located in the Indian Ocean between Tanzania and Zanzibar in Africa, has over half of its structure submerged more than 4 meters below sea level. Spending a night here allows you to enjoy being surrounded by fish.
Traditional Korean Beef Soup Noodles – The sweet and savory broth paired with tender slices of beef is pure bliss.
??Noraesang is a long-established restaurant with a forty-year history. It was originally a barbecue specialty shop and the very first barbecue restaurant in Myeongdong. (Image from the internet) In Korea, it’s common to eat grilled meat first, then have rice with side dishes like doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), naengmyeon (cold noodles), or bibim-guksu (spicy mixed noodles). (Image from the internet) So this place originally served beef soup noodles as a starchy side dish to fill customers up after their barbecue, but because the beef soup noodles became so popular...
A mining adventure in the city: The Hexing Pit rivals the Jinguashi mines, now accessible within Taipei
What? There’s an old mine in Taipei that rivals the Jinguashi mines? Located near the Cihui Temple in Beitou, the “Hexing Coal Mine” has been restored by the Taipei City Government and unveiled as a new city attraction. Now you can experience a mining adventure without traveling all the way to the Jinguashi mining area.
New Taipei City's Happy Christmas Town Balloon Parade 16 adorable cartoon balloons
New Taipei City's 2014 "Happy New Taipei Balloon Parade" kicked off with a bang on the 13th as part of the Happy Christmas Town event. This year, the OPEN family joined in to boost the fun, with 16 beloved cartoon character balloons making an appearance, filling the streets of Banqiao with vibrant, joyful colors.
Backpacker’s essential pocket guide: 16 useful travel websites for international trips
There’s no denying that the more you plan ahead, the less you’ll fear unexpected situations during your trip. With travel websites springing up like mushrooms, U.S. media outlet BuzzFeed has compiled a list of 16 practical travel websites recommended for frequent travelers to ensure nothing important is missed.
"Top 10 Popular Hot Spring Resorts in Japan for Solo Female Travelers"
Who says traveling has to be fun only in a group? Solo travel can actually be quite relaxing. Recently, the Japanese Rakuten Travel website released the "Top 10 Hot Spring Destinations for Solo Women," recommending must-visit spots where female travelers can enjoy the warmth of hot springs even when traveling alone during the cold winter months.
Sarah Brightman’s Taiwan Whirlwind: Her Hotel Room Revealed
The acclaimed soprano Sarah Brightman just wrapped up her Eurasia tour concert at Taipei Arena yesterday (14th), and during her two-day, one-night whirlwind visit to Taiwan, she stayed at the Taipei Dynasty Hotel. Earlier today, the hotel unveiled the room where she stayed, giving fans a peek inside.
Complete Guide to the New Children’s Amusement Park – One Card Lets You Eat, Drink, and Play to Your Heart’s Content!
After its trial period, Taipei’s New Children’s Amusement Park will officially open this Tuesday (the 16th). Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation has specially prepared a comprehensive park guide for the public, hoping everyone can enjoy a smooth visit to the new park!
Budget airlines go express too！ AirAsia launches new brand “RedBox” for cheap deliveries to 22 countries
AirAsia (AirAsia Berhad) today announced in Taiwan the launch of its new brand “redbox by AirAsia,” entering the international express delivery market. Leveraging the extensive transportation network of the “AirAsia Group” spanning 22 countries and 90 destinations, and strategically partnering with 31 cities across 6 Asian countries for land transport, the service will offer prices up to 50% lower than the market average thanks to significantly reduced operational costs.
Non-menu Izakaya in Jiaoxi — The prawns here are even thicker than your fingers!
Every time I visit Jiaoxi in Yilan, I always think of this hidden gem on my personal favorite list — “Yaochuan Creative Japanese Izakaya.” Combining elements of Japanese cuisine with an izakaya vibe, and using locally sourced fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients from Yilan, their exquisite cooking transforms the ingredients into one stunning creative dish after another. That’s one of the main reasons why “Yaochuan Creative Japanese Izakaya” has rapidly risen to fame in just two short years!
Former Taipei Children’s Amusement Park Transformed into Cultural Zone; Ferris Wheel and Carousel to Become Exhibits
As the new Children’s Amusement Park officially opens on the 16th, the old one will bid farewell on the 14th, transitioning into what will be planned by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs as the “Yuanshan Cultural District.” But the public need not worry about the disappearance of the classic rides—the ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, and more will be fully preserved.
Rivaling Takeshi Kaneshiro: China Airlines ad features Cloud Gate's Lin Hwai-min, interpreting the journey of flying in 40 seconds
Earlier this year, EVA Air's choice of "heartthrob" Takeshi Kaneshiro as its main spokesperson triggered a series of ripple effects, even making roadside trees go viral and boosting local tourism. At the end of this year (2014), China Airlines launched a new ad campaign, this time enlisting Cloud Gate Dance Theatre founder Lin Hwai-min as the spokesperson. Filmed aboard a Boeing 777-300ER, the ad opens with the line "Life is a series of departures and returns," showcasing a humanistic approach to travel.
Blockbuster movie scene goes viral: Crowds at Gold Museum learn to dance with umbrellas like Takeshi Kaneshiro
The epic romantic blockbuster "The Crossing," directed by John Woo and starring superstar Takeshi Kaneshiro alongside Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-kyo, Huang Xiaoming, and Masami Nagasawa, features an emotional scene where "Takeshi Kaneshiro and Masami Nagasawa dance with umbrellas in the rain." This scene was filmed on the stone steps next to the Gold Museum in Jinguashi.
Six exciting highlights created: Domestic theme park's New Year's Eve fireworks last 610 seconds
Have you decided where to go for New Year’s Eve? Janfusun Fancyworld is launching a New Year’s Eve fireworks show themed “Radiant Splendor.” Featuring text fireworks in oracle bone script spelling the zodiac animal “Sheep,” the design symbolizes blessings. The ancient script conveys wishes to dispel misfortune and welcome good fortune as the brilliant fireworks light up the night sky.
The Golden Lion Lake Scenic Area to Open — Bridge to Feature Fountain "Water Curtain"
The Golden Lion Lake Scenic Area is set to open soon. The newly built Golden Lion Bridge features a "water column curtain" at its center, which not only helps regulate the microclimate but also increases the oxygen level in the lake. Coupled with dynamic lighting effects at night, it becomes a new highlight for local evening tourism. Next year (2015), further projects including ecological landscape enhancements, the renovation of Bao'an Bridge, and the landscaping of the southern green area will be carried out to further improve the overall environment.
A hidden Nanyang-style beef noodle shop in a residential home — big, tender chunks of beef and a rich broth
This beef noodle shop is quite special. I only discovered it by chance while passing by Hemu Road that day. Since the whole street consists of residential homes, it really doesn’t seem like the ideal spot for a food business!!! But they went ahead and opened one anyway — perhaps they’re confident in their cooking skills, or maybe it’s because they don’t have to pay rent. Either way, the shop has been operating for some time now and seems to have a steady stream of customers.