Travel
Teddy Bear and Rabbit run through the rice fields — The Pingtung International Colored Rice Art Festival kicks off on the 28th
This year, Pingtung County Government held the "First Pingtung International Colored Rice Art Festival" in collaboration with LINE, planting popular LINE FRIENDS cartoon characters such as Brown, Cony, James, and Sally across a vast field of one hectare. Starting March 28th, these beloved characters can be seen in the rice paddies of Pingtung!
The House Boutique Hotel’s Seasonal Limited-Edition White Asparagus Chef’s Feast
From April 3 to April 26, La Farfalla Italian Restaurant at The House Boutique Hotel presents a three-course seasonal special menu featuring dishes such as Risotto with White Asparagus, Oysters, and Caviar; Steamed grouper with white asparagus and saffron seafood sauce; and Roasted duck breast with grilled white asparagus and berry compote. Each main course starts from NT$1,780+10%. Orders of any main course include unlimited access to a diverse buffet of Italian hot and cold appetizers, fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, and desserts.
One-Day Tour to "Angel’s Tears" – 20 On-Site Applications Accepted Daily at Lake Cidan
Known as "Angel’s Tears," the Lake Cidan National Trail will reopen in April with a daily visitor cap of 160. To accommodate those looking for short hikes, sightseeing, or other day-trip needs, the Taitung Forest District Office has announced that on-site applications for entry will be accepted daily, though limited to a set quota.
Russian Dolls, Boy & Girl Balls to Visit – Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival Kicks Off in June
The annual Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival always draws international travelers with their "balloon-chasing" passion. Recently, Taitung County Government announced this year’s event dates — a month-long hot air balloon extravaganza starting June 27, featuring enchanting night light shows that have travelers buzzing with excitement.
Tigerair Taiwan launches Tokyo flights on April 2; Guan Xu: More Japanese city routes to follow
Following its 2014 launches to Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Macau, Taiwanese low-cost carrier Tigerair Taiwan has set its sights on Tokyo as its first Northeast Asian destination, with its inaugural Taipei–Tokyo Narita flight taking off on April 2. In line with its launch tradition, the airline is offering promotional fares starting from NT$999 per way before tax. Tigerair Taiwan CEO Guan Xu stated that more Northeast Asian destinations will be launched within the next two months, adding, “There will be quite a few new routes to Japan.”
Cathay Travel & COZZI Hotels & Resorts “Spring & Summer Symphony” 8-Piece Duo Afternoon Tea Sets
From April 1 to June 30, COZZI Hotels & Resorts under Cathay Travel—Taipei Minsheng Branch and Zhongxiao Branch—in collaboration with ORIGINS Plant-Based Skincare, have launched the “Spring & Summer Symphony” featuring 8-piece duo afternoon tea sets priced at NT$980 per set, with an additional 10% service charge.
World-class latte art here！Three masters perfectly present milk foam and coffee
After a hearty lunch, our group headed to Minquan East Road, where we found a white glass storefront surrounded by red brick walls in an alleyway. The eye-catching three-hole Spirit Triplette machine sat boldly before us, with the words “Milkglider Latteartist Unity” prominently engraved on its body. This isn’t just any machine—the international retail price is $20,000 USD, though who knows what it goes for in Taiwan.
Welcome Children’s Day holiday break！14 forest recreation areas across Taiwan offer free admission for kids
The Children's Holiday break is coming soon. From April 3 to April 6, the Forestry Bureau is offering free admission for children at its 14 national forest recreation areas！
Cherry blossoms in full bloom in Iwate Prefecture at the end of April “Cherry Blossom Corridor,” one of Japan’s Top 100, is stunningly beautiful
Located in Japan’s Tohoku region, Iwate Prefecture is the hometown of the protagonist in the popular Japanese drama “Amachan.” It boasts magnificent natural scenery, fresh seafood, and distinctive local cuisine. By late April to May, it enters spring with cherry blossoms in full bloom, alongside the enchanting beauty of the Snow Corridor.
Dotted with glowing lights amidst the May snow—A romantic symphony at the Tung Tree Firefly Season in Baxianshan
In mid-spring, when flowers are in full bloom, it’s also the best time to admire fireflies. The Baxianshan Nature Education Center is hosting a special “Tung Tree Firefly Season” to let the public enjoy the romantic May snow during the day and watch the twinkling “firefly” lights at night.
Japan’s “Himeji Castle Main Keep” Fully Opens with Daily Visitor Cap of 15,000
After a five-year hiatus, the grand keep of Japan’s most iconic castle, “Himeji Castle,” finally had its scaffolding removed on the 27th, revealing its magnificent and elegant façade once again. On the reopening day, over 1,200 visitors queued overnight just to be among the first to ascend the keep and admire the breathtaking beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No need to travel far to see lavender fields！A sea of tens of thousands of lavender blooms is now in full glory within Taipei City.
There's no need to travel far to enjoy lavender fields—now you can admire them right in downtown Taipei！The Shilin Shuangxi Nature Center opened a lavender field within its grounds last November, and it has now come into full bloom. Paired with rows of lush aquatic irises along the ecological ditches, the area is bathed in purple hues. The field is open to the public for viewing from now until April 5.
Hidden gems in the market: golden potstickers with a hint of ginger!
One day while searching for delicious dumplings and potstickers, I suddenly spotted this potsticker shop. The reason it caught my attention was because of its uniquely special name—Raccoon & Emily Potstickers. Without the word "potstickers," it really does look like a brunch spot, XD. So sometimes, a shop’s name is really important. Like me, Old K, I decided to try their potstickers just because the name stood out.
Retro Train Station Restaurant on Tokyo Streets: Sizzling Live Lobster Grilled to Seal in Freshness
Though I enjoy seafood, I’ve never been particularly passionate about it—until I had my first unforgettable encounter with its ocean-fresh flavors here. It’s just a shame such an amazing place isn’t in Taiwan, but in… Tokyo, Japan.
The world’s first “Brown & Friends Colorful Rice Field” debuts in Pingtung – Get a number ticket first to see the full view
The world’s first LINE FRIENDS cartoon character colorful rice field officially made its debut at the Pingtung International Colorful Rice Art Festival on March 28, meeting the public nationwide. The adorable Brown is pulling a train with Usagi, Sally, and James seated on it, appearing amidst a sea of rice waves, as if joyfully racing across the Pingtung Plain. This super cute design has melted everyone’s hearts.
Family fun at a Japanese-style hot spring inn: paper crafts and sakura mochi, all-inclusive stay for NT$19,900
From April 1 to June 30, Beitou Nikko Shining (Hoshino Resorts KAI) is launching a series of parent-child cultural experience activities, including DIY tea ceremonies, mochi-making, and traditional Japanese origami classes, allowing children to reawaken their senses and spark new interests in learning.
The world’s largest water ride and biggest surfing beach — thrilling fun at Sunway Theme Park
For those who love theme parks, if you’re in Malaysia, besides LEGOLAND, you definitely shouldn’t miss Sunway Theme Park (SUNWAY), which features a water park, amusement park, extreme park, wildlife park, and horror park. It is home to the world’s largest water ride “Woozoo,” the world’s biggest man-made surfing beach, and a so-called 5D sensory cinema.
Watch Tigger run through the fields at the "Pingtung Colorful Rice Art Festival," which has arranged NT$10 shuttle buses.
The "2015 Pingtung International Colorful Rice Art Festival" doesn’t officially start until the 28th, but the appearance of three-dimensional characters like Tigger and Usagi from LINE—popular cartoon stars—in the rice paddies has already caused a sensation even before the opening. To accommodate the large crowds, Pingtung County Government has specially arranged shuttle buses so visitors from outside the county can witness the adorable scene of Tigger, Sally, and James running through the rice fields.
Candy Candy and Mighty Atom appear in Chiayi's alleys — a nostalgic cartoon mural alley
On this short stretch of a few hundred meters, when nostalgic cartoons such as Candy Candy, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mighty Atom, and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman all make an appearance, it takes you right back to the days of sitting in front of the TV as a kid. This secret fairytale alley in Chiayi is practically an exclusive mural lane for those born in the '50s and '60s. As you recall the cartoons and plotlines you grew up with, a deep sense of nostalgia and emotion washes over you.
The drinking cup wasn’t washed, and the coffee maker was cleaned with a mold remover—7 things hotels won’t tell you
Unless it’s really bad, few people pay close attention to how clean their hotel room actually is when traveling abroad. These days, hotels at least look “clean” on the surface. Many people, upon arriving at a hotel, can’t wait to use the mini-bar equipment to make coffee or tea, or head straight to the bathroom to see what’s inside. You need to understand that not everything in the room is that clean, and not everything is free.