Travel
Could there really be a Totoro bus stop? A roundup of 4 “Totoro bus stops” across Taiwan
The immortal masterpiece *My Neighbor Totoro* by animation master Hayao Miyazaki features the round-bodied Little Totoros and the elusive Catbus, which have become iconic cartoon characters known to all. With the rise of painted villages in Taiwan in recent years, the Catbus has also made its way to Taiwan, complete with eye-catching bus stop signs. Here’s a list of 4 Totoro bus stops scattered across Taiwan, and yes—one of them actually has a Catbus that stops by!!
A century-old tradition! Hyper-realistic food models found in almost every Japanese restaurant
When traveling in Japan, you’ve probably noticed that even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can still order food at any restaurant. The secret? It’s all thanks to “food models” that perfectly replicate dishes with 100% accuracy.
Try something new: A minimalist Nordic-style café in Zhongli with expertly roasted beans
I was genuinely moved—there’s finally a decent coffee shop near Chung Yuan University, and it roasts its own beans... Wow, I’m so touched!!!! I wonder where the owner is from, but he seems incredibly kind-hearted. I really hope this place stays open for good. These past few days, I’ve been feeling dizzy due to a cold and dealing with stomach pain. Today, I ordered two hot lattes, and the first one was truly a pleasant surprise. Wow!! The latte art is so beautiful, and the milk foam is perfectly textured.
Romantic cherry blossom spots for Valentine’s Day – Ozan Nature Park is in full bloom
Ozan National Forest Recreation Area has scheduled the “Spring Cherry Blossoms, Sharing Love – Creating Beautiful Moments Under the Cherry Trees” event on the romantic Western Valentine’s Day. The event offers free picnic mat rentals, sweet KISS gifts, chocolate DIY, grassland concerts, and parent-child birdwatching activities. With its diverse and engaging programming, it’s perfect for couples, spouses, or families.
Charlie Brown Café Opens Its First Store in Taiwan – Meet Snoopy in Kaohsiung
Fans of the adorable Snoopy will be thrilled to hear this news. Charlie Brown Café (查理布朗咖啡专门店), a themed restaurant with branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea, is set to open in Taiwan, with its first location in Kaohsiung. The opening is expected to take place before Lunar New Year.
Camellias and cherry blossoms are in full bloom now—Yangmingshan Flower Festival kicks off with 7 days of romance
The 2015 Yangmingshan Flower Festival is scheduled to open on February 7, 104 (2015), and will run until March 15, totaling 37 days. There will be plenty of activities on weekends and holidays. Families and friends are welcome to enjoy the flowers and spring outings together.
Daxin’s New Thai Noodle Spot Expands South – Kaohsiung Hanshin Dome Store Opens February 10
While Japanese ramen has been making significant inroads into Taiwan, Wushih Group, a local brand, launched its new brand “Daxin” Thai noodle cuisine in May 2014. It carved out a niche in the midst of numerous Japanese eateries at Hankyu Food Street. Since its opening, the restaurant has seen continuous lines of eager diners, and even half a year later, queues can still be spotted during meal times. Following its Taichung branch, Daxin is set to expand into Kaohsiung, with the Hanshin Dome store scheduled to open on February 10.
More Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Buses on Holidays — Just a 15-Minute Wait to Release Sky Lanterns in Pingxi
To ease the crowds during the free admission to Shifen Waterfall and the sky lantern activities during the Lunar New Year, the New Taipei City Government has coordinated with Taipei Bus’ Route 795 “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Muzha Pingxi Line” to increase the number of trips from 32 to 49 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekends and holidays. The interval between buses has been reduced from 20–40 minutes to just 15 minutes, shortening wait times for travelers.
Creative Italian cuisine！The salty-sweet combo of crispy pork pizza and peanut butter
Speaking of which, not long ago during a round-island trip, I passed through Taitung and stayed there for two nights. I’ve been missing the “Fall in Love with Taitung Italian Restaurant” that I once ate at. This time, a fellow blogger was also tempted by my previous food review and said they wanted to bring their whole family for a meal. So I arranged to meet them at “Fall in Love with Taitung”! It’s located on Hanzhong Street in downtown Taitung, and its big red signboard is very easy to spot...
Good news for consumers！Fuxing and Far Eastern Airlines cut domestic flight prices – up to NT$189 savings
In response to falling oil prices, domestic airlines have also adjusted their ticket prices. Far Eastern Airline has announced an across-the-board reduction in the fares of its domestic routes, with the Taipei–Kinmen route seeing the largest drop—from the original price of NT$2,255 to NT$2,066, a reduction of NT$189. Additionally, TransAsia Airways has announced that it will implement an average 3% price cut on seven of its domestic routes starting February 3.
Kaohsiung Launches “Twin-City Express Bus” — Direct to Tainan in Just 40 Minutes
The transportation bureaus of Kaohsiung City and Tainan City have collaborated to launch two express bus services between the two cities starting in February: the “Shaqimei Yuanshijie Express Line” and the “Kaohsiung-Tainan Twin-City Express Line.” Not only is the one-way fare capped at just NT$60, but travelers can reach the Chimei Museum from northern Kaohsiung in just 40 minutes.
Meet the "Red Pink Beauty" at Wuling Farm before restrictions kick in without any disappointment
Currently, Wuling Farm is in the transitional period between plum and cherry blossom seasons, attracting many visitors to enjoy the flowers over the weekend. The Dongshi Forest District Office stated that Wuling Farm will implement overall visitor volume control starting from the 13th. Travelers can plan a trip before the restrictions begin to experience a mountain journey of “flower viewing, fish appreciation, and escaping the hustle and bustle.”
Hebei Establishes Tourism Promotion Center in Taiwan; Explore the Great Wall with Just a Tap
To help more people in Taiwan learn about the latest tourism information in Hebei, the Hebei Provincial Tourism Administration held a tourism promotion event in Taiwan on January 30 and set up a tourism experience store and promotion center at Ding Yun Travel Group in Taipei. The promotion center displays relevant information about tourism in Hebei and features interactive touchscreen computers, allowing visitors to take a mini virtual trip to Hebei with just a tap of their fingers.
Korean fried chicken just calls for beer—bottoms up on Korean brews!
Everyone must have watched Korean dramas, but not everyone has tried Korean fried chicken!!! This sauce-drenched fried chicken might seem simple at first glance—it's really just about the sauce—but it has a magical quality that keeps you going bite after bite until it's all gone, leaving you fully satisfied. Now, you can enjoy authentic Korean fried chicken in the Shinong shopping area near Yilan University!! Grab some fried chicken and head home with your favorite Korean drama!!
Extra ferry services between Taitung and Orchid Island during Lunar New Year make island-hopping for the holidays more convenient
To facilitate smoother travel between Orchid Island and Taitung, ferry operators will add extra services on Tuesdays and Fridays starting February 3rd, weather and sea conditions permitting. Additional services will also be available during the Lunar New Year holiday period to make traveling to and from the outlying islands more convenient for the festive season.
Taipei City Tourism Association Holds a Wild Costume Party at Year-End Gala, with All-Girl Band Providing Musical Entertainment
The Taipei City Travel Industry Association held its 2014 year-end annual gala on January 30, with 78 tables set up. In addition to tourism industry representatives, government tourism agencies, local travel associations, airlines, and overseas tourism offices in Taiwan also attended, making it a large-scale event with over 800 participants.
It’s been 1922 days and still not spoiled — Iceland’s “last McDonald’s” becomes a tourist attraction
Have you ever thought about seeing the “last McDonald’s” in a history museum? The question sounds odd, but it actually happened. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, after Iceland’s economic collapse in 2008, the global fast-food chain McDonald’s pulled out of the country the following year. The “last McDonald’s” was sold in October 2009 — that’s 1922 days ago as of today (February 3). This “last McDonald’s” has been under strict supervision and remains unspoiled to this day.
Notable hardware and software upgrades: Singapore Airlines' 'Premium Economy' class now open for booking
Singapore Airlines has announced the launch of its brand-new 'Premium Economy' class, with bookings now open. Starting August 9, 2015, passengers traveling on selected Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and Sydney will be among the first to experience the new Premium Economy class.
Come to Chiayi for a Fun-Filled Spring Festival – Enjoy Blooming Flowers and Birdwatching at Alishan and Aogu Wetlands
During the Spring Festival, the Alishan National Scenic Area is in full bloom with mountain cherry blossoms and elegant white calla lilies, attracting large crowds of flower enthusiasts every year. Another popular destination, the Aogu Wetland Forest Park in Dongshi Township, is perfect for birdwatching. The Alishan National Scenic Area operates 24 hours a day and will offer free shuttle buses during the holiday period, along with some access restrictions.
Top 10 Most Popular Beef Noodles Online: Lin Dongfang Takes the Crown, Shi Ji Authentic Beef Noodles Comes in Second
Although the Taipei Beef Noodles Festival has been discontinued, beef noodles have long become a staple in our lives, available almost everywhere. According to rankings by DailyView Network Thermometer based on online discussions and positive reviews, Lin Dongfang Beef Noodles claimed the top spot, followed by Shi Ji Authentic Beef Noodles in second place, and Lao Zhang Beef Noodles in third. As for Qi Shi Er Beef Noodles, which has been selected twice as one of Asia’s Best 101 Restaurants, it ranked tenth.