Travel
10 High-Value Hiking Trails in Taipei City: Reach the Summit in Just 2 Minutes
With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, do you want to get outdoors without traveling too far? Here are 10 high-value hiking trails that let you easily enjoy the thrill of reaching the summit while taking in the sweeping mountain ridges around the Taipei Basin.
Delicacies at the Changhua Market: Fragrant grilled corn, classic tofu pudding, and Dongshan duck heads
Leaving Changhua City marks a fresh start. In the past, my visits to Yuanlin were mainly about buying chicken claw jelly, but this time I decided to “stay overnight.” That evening, I explored the night market near the First Market.
Travel in pursuit of Japan’s super-popular mascot “Kumamon”! Must-visit spots for fans
This (?) 2011 champion of Japanese mascots, Kumamon (also known as: Kumamom, a name I really hate) has long been more than just the mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan—he can be seen in almost all 47 prefectures. Ever since 7-Eleven started releasing collaborative products featuring Kumamon and Open-chan, his fame has soared in Taiwan. Originally created to celebrate the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, Kumamon unexpectedly became a nationwide sensation in just a few short years, and even gained popularity overseas.
The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will light up the banks of the Love River on the 21st in a dazzling display. Nighttime traffic controls will be enforced around the event area.
The 2015 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival (Kaohsiung City’s 104th Lantern Festival Arts Festival) will kick off in grand style on February 21st. Spanning 23 days, the festival features light installations, light sculptures, food zones, and more. Due to these activities, traffic controls will be in place around the venue, so the public is advised to take note and use public transportation to get there.
Culture and music blend seamlessly, immersing you in the aesthetics of Swedish life.
When living in Lund, university life is remarkably vibrant. Thirteen Nations (student clubs) host parties every week, and the city center is packed with eateries. From Klostergatan to Kyrkogatan, you’ll find a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Western cuisines. For a quieter time, you can freely access over twenty libraries on campus, spend your afternoon tea time at any cozy café, or head to the suburbs of Dalby for a hike if you love nature…
The Zhushan Ladder Bridge in Nantou to close for one day on New Year’s Eve; road traffic control to be enforced nearby
In response to the large number of visitors expected during the Lunar New Year period, the Nantou County Government’s Tourism Department announced that the Zhushan Ladder Bridge scenic area will be closed for a full day on New Year’s Eve, February 18, for preparation work and vehicle management. Visitors are advised not to go there.
Snorkeling gets way more thrilling here—come face-to-face with the gentle giants of Oslob’s whale sharks!
Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, may seem terrifying because of their “shark” label—but don’t doubt it, their gentle side is something you can only truly appreciate up close. The small village of Oslob at the southeastern tip of Cebu, Philippines, is known as the “Whale Shark Village.” It’s hard to imagine that such a tranquil coastal community is home to hundreds of whale sharks gathering nearby, and visitors can even swim alongside them in the open sea.
Free Guide to Yangmingshan Flower Season Shuttle Buses – Avoid Flower Viewing Turning into Traffic Jam Watching This New Year
From late February to late April each year, Yangmingshan bursts into bloom with flowers and calla lilies in full glory, attracting many who take advantage of the Lunar New Year holiday to hike and admire the blossoms. In conjunction with the 2015 Yangmingshan Flower and Calla Lily Season (February 7 to April 26), the Taipei City Government will implement traffic controls on specific holidays and arrange special shuttle buses to transport flower-viewing crowds.
Maokong & Shilin Light Travel Adventures – Come Enjoy a “Apricot”-tastic Trip in Taipei
With six consecutive days off during the Lunar New Year holiday, where should you go? If you don’t want to travel abroad or go too far, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism has specially launched two tour routes: the “Maokong Flower Viewing & Tea Tasting Day Tour” and the “Shilin Family Fun Two-Day Light Trip,” allowing families to have a blast exploring Taipei without breaking the bank.
Here's everything you need to know about the exterior and how to get to Kaohsiung’s “Charlie Brown Café”!
Taiwan’s first “Charlie Brown Café” has officially set up shop in Kaohsiung and is scheduled to open to the public in mid-March this year, so fans of Snoopy in Taiwan no longer have to travel abroad to visit. Although the store is still under renovation and not yet open for a sneak peek inside, Peanuts comic characters can be spotted all over the building’s exterior. Our reporter visited the site and captured photos to give fans a first look.
Cuddle up close with animals in Japan’s super-cute zoo and aquarium in Hakone!
Super cute!!! This is a zoo in Hakone, Japan~ So adorable~ I didn’t want to leave!!! Today, entertainment reporter Kuo Jen-jung will take you on a relaxing “one-night, two-meals” trip to Hakone, the hot spring resort!!! The first stop is the Hakone Zoo—though it’s not very big, it’s full of cuddly, adorable animals you can pet and hug!!
The Hsinchu Veterans' Village Museum and the Glass Art Museum are open on the first and third days of the Lunar New Year!
Come to Hsinchu for a cultural and artistic journey during the Lunar New Year holiday. The Year of the Sheep Spring Festival holiday runs from February 18th (New Year’s Eve) to February 23rd (the fifth day), totaling six days. The Hsinchu City Cultural Affairs Bureau has scheduled a series of exhibitions and events on the first and third days of the Lunar New Year to provide the public with great places to visit during the festive season. To better serve the public, aside from the Glass Art Museum and the “Lichi Cultural Season,” which will be open on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 19th), all other venues under the Hsinchu City Cultural Affairs Bureau will be fully open on the third day (February 21st).
Authentic Hong Kong-style old shop opens in Taiwan！ Signature melted ice pineapple bun and dry fried beef chow fun
I discovered this shop last time when I went to Da Lao Er Char Siu for turnip cake. Since it had been a while since I visited that street, I noticed quite a few new shops had opened up！ Their color scheme was very unique, so I snapped a photo first. At first glance at the name, I thought it was an ice cream shop XD. After looking it up online, I found out it's a Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng^that just opened this year, so I came here to eat.
So hot right now！Three must-visit hot spring areas in central Taiwan: Tai’an, Guguan, and Dongpu
Most of Taiwan’s major hot spring areas were developed during the Japanese colonial period, as the Japanese love for onsen helped popularize the bathing culture. However, Taiwan’s lower latitude means hot springs are only in peak demand during winter, so many hot spring resorts combine relaxation with gourmet food, or offer additional services like spas, wellness, and beauty treatments. Famous hot spring areas can be found across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. This time, we’re highlighting three central hot spring areas—Tai’an, Guguan, and Dongpu—renowned for their natural beauty.
New high achieved！Taoyuan Airport’s service quality ranks second globally in its category
The Airports Council International announced on February 16 the results of its 2014 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey. Among global airports handling between 25 million and 40 million passengers annually, Taoyuan International Airport secured second place, marking a historic high.
Don't miss out on movies this holiday season！ Taipei’s 36 cinema operating hours during the New Year
The New Year has arrived—apart from reuniting with family, have you planned any other activities during the festive period? In addition to outdoor outings or visiting department stores, catching a movie together can also be a great choice. During the New Year holidays, most cinemas close earlier on New Year's Eve, such as Ambassador, Today, and Grand Cinema; others operating normally include LUXY, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, and Miramar Zhongshan Cinemas. Below is a special roundup of the operating hours of 36 cinemas in Taipei City during the New Year.
Japan’s Most Powerful Local Hot Pot – A 70-cm Iron Pot Filled with Sweet Black Pork in Kagoshima
In the alleys of downtown Kagoshima City in Kyushu, Japan, there is an unassuming inn that looks like any ordinary lodging. However, this place serves Japan’s most delicious local hot pot — a giant, oversized iron pot filled with locally grown vegetables and pork from Kagoshima. The enticing aroma attracts travelers from all over Japan and Asia, who come here especially for this experience.
Just two days left – Mariana Islands offers a $60K weekly “best job ever” as applications close soon
All it takes is a one-minute video to win a chance at a huge $60,000 bonus package. Since its launch, the 2015 New Year’s “Attack of the Marianas — Tourism Ambassador Search” has generated huge buzz and received an overwhelming response. With just two days left until the deadline, anyone brave enough to show off their personality in a one-minute video could land the ultimate intern job paying $60,000 per week.
Must-try dry noodles for noodle lovers: the bold and spicy Haiye No. 4 Dry Noodles
When it comes to Haiye’s Red Oil Century Egg Noodles in Sanxia, it’s a well-known name online. But since I rarely visit Sanxia, I had never gotten the chance to try this internet-famous spot—though it was always on my mind, and I knew I had to try it if I ever went there. Then, when I heard that Haiye had moved from a small street stall to a new shop, I suddenly got the urge and convinced a friend from Taipei to drive all the way from Banqiao to Sanxia just to try the red oil century egg noodles and No. 4 dry noodles. That’s when I finally got to taste the Haiye dry noodles I’d been craving for so long.
Top 10 Most Popular Sightseeing Factories: Puli Sightseeing Distillery Ranked First,卤味 Museum Second
Besides temples and scenic spots, sightseeing factories are also popular tourist destinations during the Spring Festival. According to official statistics, the top 10 sightseeing factories attracted over 9 million visitors last year, with Puli Sightseeing Distillery taking the top spot with 1.68 million visitors. The second place went to Taiwan’s卤味 Museum, where visitors can sample卤味 for free, attracting 1.4 million visitors. The third place was claimed by the Taiwan Glass Museum, which drew 1.38 million visitors.