Travel
A business hotel that feels most like a backpacker’s lodging — Capital Songshan New Branch offers views of Taipei 101
The Capital Hotels Group, known for its brand image as a chain of business hotels, officially opened its Songshan Branch on January 15 as its fifth location. In addition to its prime location near the train station, MRT station, and Raohe Night Market, the new branch incorporates distinctly different elements. Upon entering the lobby, guests are welcomed by a sleek and stylish reception area, and the public floors also feature self-service laundry facilities — all of which fully convey what Chairman Chen Zongxing describes as the “backpacker vibe.”
Cherry Blossom Viewing at a World Heritage Site: A Stroll Through Kyoto as It Was 1000 Years Ago
The founding year of Ninnaji Temple is particularly appealing to Chinese visitors: 888 AD! Moreover, this temple is the one where imperial princes and princesses most frequently took monastic vows, having deep ties with the Japanese imperial family. When exploring Western Kyoto, it's best to visit it together with the similarly named Ryoanji Temple.
3 Major Routes for a Unique Rural Getaway in Tainan
Following the success of the travel program launched at the end of 2014, the Tainan City Agriculture Bureau will roll out the second wave of programs in February, featuring three distinctive routes: "Loving the Mountain Town," "Green Diamond Trail," and "Sweet Nostalgia." These itineraries allow participants to explore traditional Taiwanese culture, art, agriculture, and fisheries, and experience a “rural mini-travel” that is completely different from urban life.
Fulfill your fairytale dream in a Gassho Village: Grill fish for dinner in a UNESCO World Heritage site
Since around 30 years ago, five households in Gassho Village began converting their traditional houses into guesthouses, offering accommodations and allowing visitors to experience local life. After many years of development, there are now about 30 households in Gassho Village, with a population of approximately 45 residents. Among them, there are a total of five guesthouses, each able to accommodate only about 10–15 people. The extremely limited availability makes staying in Gassho Village a truly dreamlike experience.
Have you seen them? 6 “surreal tourist attractions” that all exist on Earth
The ever-changing and awe-inspiring wonders of nature always surpass human imagination. The further travelers go and the more they see, the more they come to cherish all the beauty our planet has to offer.
Make an Adorably Cute SpongeBob Breakfast – So Lovable You Won’t Want to Eat It
If you’re a fan of SpongeBob, here are 6 ways to bring him to your breakfast table – and then eat him. It’s also a fun idea to make these for someone you like and see them smile.
Taipei’s “Cherry Blossom Viewing Cheat Sheet” Is Here: 150 Spots to Check Out
Pink cherry blossoms are just beginning to bloom on the branches, and cherry blossom season is fast approaching. The Taipei City Government has specially launched a “Cherry Blossom Page,” compiling over 150 cherry blossom viewing spots across the city so that residents can stay updated on the latest bloom conditions and head out to enjoy the flowers on weekends.
Super "juicy" smoked ribs — challenge the limits of your taste buds!
Where can you find authentic American-style smoked ribs in Guam? It’s Tony Roma’s — this huge, glossy, gleaming rack of ribs that practically blinds you and makes your mouth water nonstop, for only US$19.99!!
Shop and sightsee together: China’s tax refund policy for shopping launches nationwide — travelers can get an 11% refund
To attract more visitors to China, the Ministry of Finance announced on the 16th that it has decided to implement the “Tax Refund Policy for Shopping by Overseas Travelers” in all eligible regions across the country. Foreign travelers (including those from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) who have resided in China for less than 183 days can receive an 11% VAT refund on purchases made at duty-free shops when leaving the country.
The only city in Thailand where you can travel by horse-drawn carriage — a must-visit Burmese-style gem in Lampang
Lampang Province in Thailand is located about 100 kilometers southeast of Chiang Mai and takes around two hours to reach by train. One reason travelers insist on visiting Lampang during a trip to Chiang Mai is none other than to ride the “Lampang horse carriage.” You might ask, “What’s so special about a horse carriage?” In Lampang, these carriages aren’t just festive novelties.
You can cycle around Taiwan in just seven days！ A 1,000-kilometer "Bicycle National Highway" to be completed by year-end
You can fulfill your dream of cycling around Taiwan in just seven days！ The Ministry of Transportation and Communications recently announced that it will link up bicycle paths across the island to create a 1,000-kilometer-long "Bicycle National Highway," expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Have you visited Taiwan's three major cable car attractions? Enjoy waterfalls, lakes, and breathtaking mountain scenery all in one go.
Many romantic scenes in Korean and Japanese dramas are also filmed inside cable cars, unexpectedly adding a touch of romance to them. Taiwan's three famous cable cars, from north to south—Maokong, Wulai, and Sun Moon Lake—are all located at renowned tourist spots. If you want to enjoy panoramic views of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and basins from high above, traveling by cable car is the way to go.
Private home-style dishes in Xingtian Temple’s alleys – Exquisite cuisine rivaling festive feasts
2014 is coming to an end, and lately, Yun seems to have been quite lucky with food. Friends have been inviting her out for meals, and each time has brought delightful surprises!! Last Friday noon, armed with an address from a friend, she met up for a lunch feast at “Aojia Yan” near Xingtian Temple MRT Station. Hmm… the address seemed a bit tricky to find.
Paradise for bamboo lovers: Chiayi’s “Bamboo Trace Museum” opens, stunning visitors with natural bamboo products
The “Bamboo Trace Museum” focuses on domestic bamboo materials and full utilization of bamboo. Through a storytelling approach, it showcases the development history of Taiwan’s bamboo industry and achievements in research and technology, while also developing eco-friendly products such as non-toxic insect repellents, cat litter, skincare items, and unique bamboo musical instruments as cultural and creative products.
Top 10 Disappointing Famous Tourist Attractions Worldwide: Machu Picchu and the White House Make the List
Recently, The Independent in the UK released a list of the “10 most disappointing tourist attractions.” While foreign media opinions can serve as a reference, what matters most is your own experience and thoughts. How many of these places have you visited, and what do you think?
All restaurants in Busan, South Korea, to be completely smoke-free starting January 1!
The city of Busan, South Korea, has announced that starting January 1, 2015, smoking will be banned in all restaurants and eateries, with violators facing a fine of 100,000 KRW. Smoking sections previously set up in some restaurants, which were initially allowed if separated from regular seating by glass partitions, are now completely banned.
Are you all packed? Vietnam’s Da Nang tops the list of "World’s Top 10 Trending Travel Destinations"
Travel has become one of the ways modern people unwind from daily life, and many cities have gradually been explored by travelers. But what other city attractions remain unvisited? TripAdvisor, a globally renowned travel website, analyzed user reviews to rank the "World’s Top 10 Trending Travel Destinations," with four Asian cities making the list. The top spot was claimed by Vietnam’s Da Nang, a holiday paradise for Europeans and Americans. Cambodia’s Sihanoukville and Cyprus’ Limassol ranked second and third, respectively, while Thailand’s Ao Nang in Krabi Province took fourth place.
A simple yellow diamond shines in the night – the century-old "Taipei Post Office" regains its splendor
The Taipei Post Office will no longer be shrouded in darkness at night, but will become a yellow diamond radiating soft light. After years of restoration, the Taipei Post Office has reemerged before the public with a brand-new look on the 18th. At night, lighting is also used to add a different charm to this historic landmark.
Authentic German pork knuckle in a castle – the perfect combination of crispy skin and tender meat
I never expected to find authentic German pork knuckle made by Germans right here in Jiaoxi. What’s more, this version is prepared differently from most you’d find in Taiwan. It’s first boiled, then baked in an oven, so the knife slides right through, easily separating the bone from the meat. Is it good? It completely shatters expectations – incredibly tender!!
Maintaining Service Quality: HONEY PIG Shortens Business Hours
Remember the American-style Korean BBQ restaurant HONEY PIG, which we previously reported as being open 24 hours a day? Since its opening, the queue of customers has never stopped, and the enthusiasm of guests has exceeded the expectations of the management. However, this has also put an excessive burden on the restaurant’s staff. To maintain service quality, HONEY PIG announced that from January 17 to January 31, its business hours will be shortened to 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM, with plans to resume 24-hour service on February 2.