Travel
Amsterdam Crane Transformed into Luxury Hotel – Dare to Bathe at Heights?
It’s common to stay on the 10th floor of a five-star hotel, but spending a night in a 50-meter-high “crane” is no easy feat. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, a dilapidated crane in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has been successfully transformed into an ultra-luxurious hotel named Hotel Faralda.
Taiwan’s “Smart Tourism Ticket Card” to Debut This Summer – Naming Campaign Includes Grand Prize Draw
The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is hosting the “Smart Tourism Woohoo!” ticket card naming and voting campaign, inviting everyone to help name the smart tourism ticket card set to launch this summer. Participants who vote before January 16 have a chance to win a RIMOWA suitcase, an iPad mini 2, accommodation vouchers from multiple hotels, and afternoon tea coupons, making your travels easy and joyful.
Shenzhen Airlines launches Taipei-Nanchang flights
Shenzhen Airlines officially launched the Taipei-Nanchang route starting February 1, 2015, operating every Sunday. Flights depart Nanchang Airport at 17:10 and arrive at Taoyuan Airport at 19:00, operated by a B737-800 aircraft. The return flight departs Taoyuan Airport at 20:35 and arrives in Nanchang at 22:25.
Super Cool Takeaway New Year Dishes – Hotel Offers 1.5kg Tomahawk Steak
Takeaway New Year’s Eve meals from hotels are nothing new, but a 1.5kg tomahawk steak available for takeaway? That’s a rare one. Marco Polo Restaurant under Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei has carved out a unique niche in this year’s New Year’s Eve meal battle. In addition to offering Western-style New Year’s Eve set menus, they also provide à la carte takeaway options such as steak and roast suckling pig — including an Australian wagyu tomahawk steak.
Kaohsiung’s Xingda Harbor Debuts Weekend-Only “Harbor Cruise” to View the “Future Elephant” from the Sea
The large-scale art installation “Future Elephant,” which once appeared at a Mayday concert, has significantly boosted visitor numbers to Kaohsiung’s Xingda Harbor since it was installed there. Coupled with the Lover’s Wharf adorned with various love-themed installations, local operators have launched the “Xingda Harbor Harbor Cruise Blue Highway Route” starting this Saturday, offering travelers a unique perspective of the harbor’s beauty.
Book international stays via Expedia Taiwan and win a 25-year free global travel prize 27-year-old chef wins 25-year free stay grand prize
After Expedia launched in Taiwan, it introduced the "Expedia Free Big Play—25 Years of Free Global Accommodation." On January 7, 2015, the grand prize winner was drawn: 27-year-old Chinese cuisine chef Wen Hongyuan. Excitedly, he said he has no specific plans yet for the 25-year prize journey. He had originally planned to visit Palawan in the Philippines next year, and now he can use Expedia to plan the itinerary for the first year.
A role-playing paradise for kids – become a farmer or little shopkeeper in seconds
Taipei City really takes good care of its residents. During my visit to Sishisan South Village, I unexpectedly discovered the Xinyi Parent-Child Center here, where children under six can play with toys and educational tools for free. It’s a great way to help with their development. I wish I’d known about this earlier – I’m rushing to recommend it to everyone.
After enjoying the Taiwan Lantern Festival, take a trip — three central Taiwan counties and cities offer package deals
The 2015 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held from February 27 to March 15 at the Wuri High-Speed Rail Station in Taichung City, Taichung Park, and Fengyuan Miaodong. The Tourism Bureau has specially planned six “Central, Changhua, and Nantou 123” one- to three-day tour packages on Taiwan sightseeing buses, with a minimum of two people per group. Prices range from NT$1,700 to NT$6,150 per person.
Dessert Grocery Store — Enjoy freshly baked hot cakes in a charming heritage house
It’s hard to imagine that such an unassuming old alley with deep local Taiwanese charm even exists in Taipei. Whenever Pingzi visits this spot, she makes time for a return trip. The shop occasionally showcases Japanese-style groceries and everyday items for browsing. Best of all, it often serves freshly baked sweets from its neighboring patisserie, Zuōzǐwū, which have completely won over Pingzi’s sweet tooth. They’re absolutely delicious.
When traveling in Thailand, you must try shrimp — affordable, fresh, and incredibly delicious.
Friends who love shrimp shouldn’t hesitate to order a table full of fresh shrimp dishes in Thailand, enjoying them with friends and family. The prices are budget-friendly, and it’s sure to bring a great sense of happiness. Thailand produces 40% of the world’s shrimp, offering everything from grilled shrimp, raw shrimp, to shrimp cakes.
Wang Steak Launches New Dish: New York Strip Steak with Double Sauces of White Pepper and Pineapple for Added Flavor
Wang Steak, which has always emphasized incorporating local ingredients into Western cuisine, has introduced a new dish, the "New York Strip Steak." This time, Wang Steak continues to use locally sourced Taiwanese ingredients such as pineapple, asparagus, and Hakka kumquat sauce as accompaniments, combining Eastern and Western elements to deliver a culturally surprising taste experience.
Japanese media compiles "10 Must-See Sunsets in the World," with Taiwan's Jiufen making the list
As the sun sets, it marks the end of another day, but viewing it from different sceneries and angles can bring unique feelings. A renowned Japanese travel magazine, TRiPORT, has compiled a list of the 10 must-see sunset spots in the world, and Taiwan's Jiufen is on it too. Here’s an introduction starting from number 10.
A completely natural limestone cave in northern Thailand that can only be explored by bamboo raft.
This time, Xiaosheng is introducing Tham Lod Cave, the most extraordinary natural wonder in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. There are many naturally formed caves across Thailand, and during my seven solo trips so far, I’ve visited quite a few. While many of these caves are naturally formed, many have been used by later generations to enshrine Buddha statues. However, Tham Lod Cave is entirely a natural cavern—and one of the most worthwhile attractions in northern Thailand, in my opinion.
New regulations for mainland scenic spots: Ticket sales to stop when visitor numbers reach 80% of capacity
A deadly stampede occurred on Shanghai’s Bund on New Year’s Eve, resulting in 36 deaths and 47 injuries. To prevent such tragedies from recurring, China’s National Tourism Administration issued new regulations on the 9th, stipulating that ticket sales at scenic areas must be immediately halted and warnings issued when visitor numbers reach 80% of maximum capacity. These regulations will take effect on April 1.
All-you-can-eat homemade cookies? A unique pet-friendly café hidden in an old house
Recently, I heard about this old-house café called 【Li Wu Liang Shui】 that has popped up around Minquan Road and Mofan Street. Several friends who visited really liked it, which made me even more curious to check it out myself.
It's all about eating to your heart's content！ Taipei Far Eastern Hotel offers a "late-night" reunion dinner buffet for New Year's Eve
Want to ring in the Lunar New Year with a different vibe this year? The Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei is launching its first-ever "late-night" reunion dinner buffet, allowing guests to enjoy their meal while staying up to see in the New Year.
7 language learning apps and websites for travelers – super useful when speaking abroad
If you want to go beyond simple phrases like “Where’s the nearest bank?” or “Thank you,” then be sure to check out these 7 “advanced” language learning apps and websites compiled by the U.S. Huffington Post — you definitely don’t want to miss them！
New Ways to Explore Kaohsiung: Limited-Edition Yacht Charter Tours Across Southern Taiwan!
To promote yacht leisure activities, the Kaohsiung City Government’s Marine Bureau and “Agos Yacht Club” have launched a new yacht experience program, offering three major scenic spot charter packages that allow you to cruise to Oyster Liao, Dapeng Bay, and Little Liuqiu in a luxury yacht within a single day.
Prawps too big to hold in one hand—Exquisite Hot Pot in Kinmen That’s Both Lavish and Luxurious
On my first trip to Kinmen, the most memorable food experience wasn’t one of the island’s typical specialties. When a local expert suggested taking us out for hot pot, I was a bit puzzled—how could hot pot be famous in Kinmen? But this place, 【Liuhé Premium Seafood Hot Pot Specialty】, really impressed us with its top-notch offerings. The secret to its deliciousness is simple: high-quality, ultra-fresh ingredients guarantee amazing taste.
Top 5 Must-Visit Winter Hot Springs in Northern Taiwan
Winter is the perfect season for soaking in hot springs, and there’s no greater joy than washing away fatigue with warm, soothing thermal waters. Many people have experienced hot springs, but do you know how many hot spring areas there are across Taiwan? There are 128 locations in Taiwan with signs of hot springs. Apart from the Datun Volcano Group in the northern region—where volcanic activity produces sulfate springs—the majority of other hot spring areas are mostly carbonate springs. The five most common hot spring areas in northern Taiwan are: Jiaoxi Hot Springs, Xinbeitou Hot Spring Area, Shamao Mountain Hot Spring Area, Jinshan Hot Spring Area, and Wulai Hot Springs. Do you know all five?