Travel
A cozy little shop in the Shida shopping district serving rich and layered risotto with a smooth texture
Visiting the Shida shopping district and looking for brunch? Pingzi recommends Cafe’ a’ la mode tucked away in a lane on Yunhe Street. The café features a modern minimalist white design with transparent glass as its façade—just looking at it gives off a high-end vibe. Inside, you’ll find brunch options, coffee, and other ingredients, making it a great spot for friends to gather in Shida.
Baseball bats and home plates turn into ema—how many of Japan’s 8 unique ema designs have you collected?
Whenever visiting a Japanese shrine, it’s almost customary to write a wish on an ema, hoping it comes true. But besides the traditional pentagonal ones, many shrines actually hide a variety of uniquely shaped ema, which have become collectibles for many travelers. Here are 8 different ema designs—how many have you collected?
Reunion After 45 Years: A Mother’s Day Trip to Yangmingshan in Search of Family Roots
Karan, a Chinese-American woman born in Taiwan, immigrated to the United States with her mother at the age of three after her father passed away. Forty-five years later, she returned to her hometown with her son for a roots-tracing journey. The most important mission of this one-day Taipei trip was to visit Yangmingshan and find her father’s grave.
A "hidden paradise" in the city—meet Taiwan blue magpies at Chongyang Park!
Sunlight filters through the leaves, and as you stroll along Zhong'ai Creek, you’re surrounded by shady trees and the sounds of birds chirping and insects humming. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the urban area, this place is truly a "hidden paradise" in Beitou. The section of Zhong'ai Creek that runs through Chongyang Park has experienced some landslides, prompting the Water Resources Bureau to first conduct an ecological survey before proceeding with engineering designs based on the findings. Additionally, the bureau plans to organize family-friendly activities during the construction period to encourage public participation in removing invasive species from the ecological pond.
A Snack Paradise South of Chiang Mai: Duck Noodle Soup That Soaks Up the Broth Perfectly
The area near Chiang Mai Gate in the southern part of Chiang Mai is a hub for street food. Although we’ve introduced the snacks around Chiang Mai Gate before, we’ve since discovered several other tasty stalls, so we decided to write about them again. Let’s see how many hidden culinary gems have popped up around Chiang Mai Gate during our recent trips.
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Datong Township, Yilan – the 2024 flower season series kicks off in February!
It’s now the best time to admire cherry blossoms. The local mountain cherries, double-flowered cherries, and a small number of Yoshino cherries in Datong Township, Yilan County, have all blossomed, attracting many visitors to the mountains. The Datong Township Office and Lancheng Crescent Square are jointly hosting the “2015 Datong Township Cherry Blossom Festival” series of events, which will take place on February 7, 14, and 28. In addition to enjoying the cherry blossoms, visitors can also learn about the traditional culture and cuisine of the Atayal tribe.
Romantic Lakeside Scenic Spot: “Barker Memorial Park” Expansion Opens on the 31st!
The “Barker Memorial Park Expansion Project,” which won the National Excellence in Construction Award in 2012, officially opened on January 31. Designed with principles of “reduction,” “lightness,” and “ecology,” it creates a public living space with local character. In addition to the original plantings, flowering species such as Bauhinia, neem, Taiwan creepers, and golden trumpet trees have been added, enriching the diversity of the plant landscape and providing leisure, cultural, and educational functions for the surrounding area.
“Come for the check-up, stay for the coffee!” Three cafes in Taiwan repurposed from old hospitals
There are currently three cafes in Taiwan that have been converted from old hospitals or clinics. I visited and documented each one: Taipei’s “Bao’an 84,” Yilan’s “Hesheng Taiping,” and Taoyuan’s “8 Blocks Studio.” There’s also the famously renowned “Miyahara Eye Clinic,” but since only its exterior remains, I won’t include it in this special feature.
Make your own coffee like a pro in 3 minutes — 9 international specialty brews to turn you into an expert
Always being chased by endless trivial tasks? After a busy day, many people can only find their little moment of joy with a cup of coffee in the afternoon. If you love coffee, why not try some international brews featured on BuzzFeed — just a few simple steps not only let you escape the chaos of work temporarily but also fill your whole afternoon with the aroma of coffee.
History Meets Music: Explore the Hidden Sugar Tanks at Ren De Sugar Refinery in a Treasure Hunt Adventure
This year, Shiyi Drum Cultural and Creative Park takes on an interdisciplinary challenge, preserving the original appearance of Ren De Sugar Refinery and integrating local stories with Shiyi Drum music to create an interactive experience space. It safeguards culturally valuable heritage assets, fully revitalizing industrial heritage and repurposing idle spaces. This special project, “Golden Tale – Taiwan’s Treasure,” also invites the public to embark on a quest to uncover the mysterious treasures hidden within the underground sugar tanks.
Tell a story to win free flights Vietjet's "Spread the Love" flights take off
To celebrate the launch of its Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City route, Vietjet Air launched a public call for life stories from Taiwanese and Vietnamese expatriates. Selected participants will receive free round-trip tickets from Taipei to Ho Chi Minh City—with a 50% discount on the return leg.
Japan’s Tastiest Shochu Origins: 5 Must-Visit Free Distillery Tours in Kyushu
The Kyushu region is famous for “shochu.” Made from ingredients such as rice, koji mold, and sweet potatoes, shochu produced at factories across different areas naturally develops distinct flavors. When asked what makes shochu so appealing to the Japanese, the bold men of Kyushu might describe it this way: “It burns going down, but leaves a sweet aftertaste—just like my wife, spicy yet tender. That’s the taste of shochu!”
The "Tokyo Metro One-Day Pass" is getting cheaper starting February 10th, with savings of up to over 15%!
Travelers planning a trip to Tokyo are in luck. Tokyo Metro has announced that its unlimited-ride "Tokyo Metro One-Day Pass" will be discounted from February 10th to help travelers fully experience the charm of Tokyo.
A romantic overseas couple in love accomplished something incredibly sweet at Penghu Aquarium
Travel is the lubricant of life. Trips can also mark new beginnings. A photo of Penghu’s Double-Heart Shihhu Rock Pools led to a beautiful romance, culminating in Zhang Jianjun and Huang Xuemei pledging their lives to each other.
The Tokyo Central Circular Route to open in March—Shinjuku to Haneda Airport in just 20 minutes!
In the future, you can reach Haneda Airport from Shinjuku in less than half an hour. Japan’s Capital Expressway Public Corporation has announced that the highway "Central Circular Route Yamate Tunnel" will fully open at 4:00 PM on March 7. In the future, traveling from Shinjuku to Haneda Airport will take just 20 minutes!
Xinyi Shopping District ! A stylish urban hotel "Sparkle" right opposite Taipei 101
Staying in Xinyi District just feels different—everything here is always so fashionable and sleek, everything is so professional and well done. Take the newly opened Tamsui-Xinyi Line (red line), and as soon as you exit from Exit 3 of “Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station,” you’ll see the iconic Taipei 101 building on your left and the underground entrance to Sparkle on your right. It feels amazing to see Taipei 101 every time you step out.
A 3-story-tall lost teddy bear sits in the middle of a field — The “Taichung Land Art Festival” has arrived
Recently, a 3-story-tall “lost teddy bear” has appeared sitting in the middle of a field in the outskirts of Taichung, attracting many visitors. The “Taichung Land Art Festival,” initiated by several civic groups, kicked off in Zhenping Village, Nantun District, and aims to draw public attention to the issue of excessive land development through this lost teddy bear.
Is it a casual eatery or a Taiwanese snack shop? The richly aromatic braised pork rice
It’s been a while since I last wrote about braised pork rice. Braised (stewed) pork rice is one of Taiwan’s most iconic street foods, with different regional variations across the north and south, and it’s also a must-try dish for many foreigners visiting Taiwan.
No need to travel far to see cherry blossoms — check out Taipei’s “21 Cherry Blossom Trail Quick Guide”
The cherry blossoms in popular Taiwanese spots like Wuling and Aowanda are in full bloom, but you don’t have to go far — you can enjoy them right in the city. The Taipei City Department of Civil Engineering has recommended 21 “cherry blossom trails” near the urban area. With this year’s cherry blossom season arriving earlier than usual, take some time off to stroll through mountain trails and admire the stunning display of blooming cherry blossoms.