Travel
Udon Noodles Take Center Stage in Hot Pot, Handmade Ingredients Shine as Supporting Cast
Not satisfied with just eating udon noodles? A new hot pot restaurant in Taipei’s East District has made udon noodles the star of the show, paired with Japanese kaiseki-style appetizers. You can enjoy the springy texture of the udon while also savoring the refinement of Japanese cuisine—satisfaction is guaranteed.
Japan’s Queued-Food Festival Debuts – Tokyo Ramen Show Five-Time Champion Also Attends
The world tour of Japan’s Queued-Food Festival makes its first stop in Taipei on April 2 at Hall 3 of the Taipei World Trade Center. Organized by Juntech, the event invites 70 popular Japanese food vendors, including award-winning ones such as Kinryu Ramen, which ranked first in the 2012 Tokyo Ramen Awards, Toyama BLACK (Toyama Burakku), a five-time winner of the Tokyo Ramen Show, and Fujinomiya Yakisoba, which has twice claimed victory in the B-grade gourmet category.
The first 2015 "blue tears" phenomenon spotted in Nangan on April 1st — a magical sight along the Matsu coastline
Following recent photos of "blue tears" taken in Dongyin, accommodation operators in Nangan, Matsu, also captured the first photo of the 2015 blue tears in the early hours of April 1st, just after the moon had set (between 4:30–5:15 am) and before the blue light of the sun appeared. Tourism operators in Nangan noted that once the blue tears appear, they can be seen across all four townships and five islands of Matsu, not limited to any single island. It is advised to go with local homestay hosts or guides for safety.
Registration for the 2015 Hawaii Run in Hawaii is now full Extended to April 12
The "2015 Hawaii Run" inspired by the Honolulu Marathon is now open for registration. Due to an enthusiastic response from numerous running enthusiasts in Taiwan, not only have runners of all kinds signed up enthusiastically since registration opened, but the limited 150 spots for the bikini category were also snapped up instantly. To allow people in Taiwan to fully experience the passionate charm of Hawaii, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has extended the registration period for the run to April 12.
Stay for just ¥1? Chiayi Youth Hostel Begins Trial Operation — ¥601 Now Sleeps Two from Today
A new hotel has opened near Chiayi Railway Station. Beyond business hotels and five-star properties, a hotel group in southern Taiwan has launched a "Light Travel" series targeting backpackers, creating a new type of youth hostel in Chiayi and Tainan. The Chiayi branch of “ChengYi Light Travel” begins its trial operation today (1st), with the cheapest single bed priced at just NT$600, and an extra bed available for just an additional NT$1.
Fishermen love this flavor at sea too!“Fishermen’s Lunch Box” in Kenting serves up mom’s nostalgic taste
What does “mom’s taste” from your memory look like? For people in Daguang Community, Pingtung, it might be the flavor of salted fish jerky mixed with peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and eggs with preserved turnips. Starting from the 1st, the Daguang Community Development Association launched a “Fishermen’s Lunch Box,” aiming not only to share the taste of home but also highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and ecological protection.
Holiday Fun in Hualien: Free Entry to Chihnan National Forest Children's Festival & Open Access at Lintianshan Forest Recreation Area
With the upcoming Qingming Children’s Holiday, the Hualien Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau has announced that the Lintianshan Forest Culture Park, which usually closes on Mondays, will remain open throughout the holiday period from April 3 (Friday) to April 6 (Monday). The park will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Simple Homemade "Sun-Dried Tomato" Thyme Garlic Spicy Spaghetti
Do you enjoy stir-fried spaghetti? Once you’ve mastered the basics of garlic and chili spaghetti, your stir-frying skills will improve, and you’ll naturally be able to easily create a variety of pasta dishes.
3D Panda and Big Bear Colorful Rice Field Goes Viral; Pingtung County Government Adds 800 Temporary Parking Spaces
The first Pingtung International Colorful Rice Festival became hugely popular. In response to the Qingming Festival holiday period, the Pingtung County Government has added a 4-hectare temporary parking lot with 800 spaces at Nanzhou Sugar Refinery. Vehicles will be redirected to exit via the Dingding Interchange on Freeway No. 3. Visitors are also encouraged to take shuttle buses to the event site.
Listen to stories and play with balloons: 7 kid-friendly activities in New Taipei City for Children's Day
During the Children's Day holiday, several arts and cultural centers and museums in New Taipei City have planned a series of “New Taipei Good Kids, ‘Virtue’ Delights the Lamb” art and culture-themed activities especially for children, including children’s theater, dough figurine making, clay modeling, clown mime, and more. This allows parents taking their kids out to not only experience the facilities and exhibitions at the venues but also participate in unique cultural activities.
Where to go during the Children’s Day holiday? A list of free entry offers at amusement parks across Taiwan
The Children’s Day holiday is coming, and amusement parks and theme parks across Taiwan have introduced free admission offers for children in specific age groups. Here’s a roundup of free entry deals for the Children’s Day holiday at amusement parks nationwide to help you enjoy a fun-filled vacation.
New Afternoon Tea Option in Taoyuan: Specialty Japanese Grilled Rice Ball Shop
This Japanese-inspired spot called "Hiyori," recommended by a friend, is a small shop specializing in Japanese rice balls. The space isn’t tiny, but the menu is simple, leaning toward a light meal concept. Served on Japanese-style trays, their hand-pressed and grilled rice balls have a uniquely Japanese-Taiwanese flair with a refined touch. Prices average around NT$150 per item, all à la carte with no combo meals. It’s a great choice for those who just want a little something to eat.
Spring Blossoms Restaurant Launches New Spring Menu: Spring Bamboo Shoots, White Asparagus, and Centella Asiatica Featured in Dishes
As April arrives, marking the season of spring blossoms, hotels are updating their menus to reflect the seasonal changes, incorporating iconic spring ingredients such as white asparagus, spring bamboo shoots, and centella asiatica.
Come admire the "April Snow on Earth" in spring: Discover Taipei's 7 most stunning albizia flower spots
In the vibrant month of April, besides the tung blossoms, the equally picturesque albizia flowers — also known as the "April Snow" — begin to bloom. The Taipei City Department of Parks and Recreation has compiled a list of 6 beautiful albizia viewing areas where visitors can take a moment to pause and look up to enjoy this breathtaking "April Snow on Earth."
Discover the sea around the corner: Penghu’s three secret cycling routes with free, expert-guided rides
As April ushers in the peak tourist season in Penghu, the local area has been actively promoting low-carbon tourism in recent years and offers a complimentary guided cycling service. Since April 1, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration has collaborated with the bicycle association to lead visitors through three of Penghu’s most beautiful routes, allowing them to experience the island’s scenery at a leisurely pace of 20 kilometers per hour.
No need to squeeze through crowds during the Qingming holiday—head to Guting Riverside Park for a romantic heart-shaped flower sea
If you’re looking to enjoy nature and scenic beauty during the Qingming children’s holiday, skip the crowded tourist spots. The expansive heart-shaped flower field at Guting Riverside Park is currently in full bloom, and the flowering season lasts until mid-April, making it an easy and relaxing way to admire the blossoms.
First International Five-Star Hotel Opens in Penghu: Four Points by Sheraton Penghu to Debut in Q2
Penghu has long been a popular destination for travelers visiting outlying islands. The international five-star hotel brand Four Points by Sheraton has announced its entry into the area this year. The property will be located at Pier No. 3 in Magong, Penghu, and is expected to open for a trial run in the second quarter.
Handmade noodles, every bowl a story—each bite carries the taste of longing.
As I listened to the elderly lady rolling out the dough while singing an old Shanxi folk song, her weathered voice filled with loneliness seemed to melt into homesickness the moment I took that first bite. That taste of homesickness, spanning thousands of miles, reached my tongue and settled in my heart. I realized my eyes had grown misty.
Marry someone who is willing to travel with you
Is getting married really that important? What’s the real reason for marriage? Strip away all those conventional justifications—like needing to marry before a certain age to carry on the family line, or feeling obligated to marry because of parental or societal expectations, or the belief that getting married is just something everyone must do—and you get closer to the truth behind why marriage has become such a necessity in modern life.
Children's Day Special: Kids Under 12 Get Free Entry to Yilan Traditional Arts Center
Where to go during the 4-day Children's Day holiday? Starting now, Yilan Traditional Arts Center is hosting a special Year of the Sheep exhibition titled "Sheep Sheeple's Fun Party." In addition to DIY workshops, sheep-shaped cookie classes, and meet-and-greet sessions with the Sheep Sheeple, kids under 12 can enter the park for free with valid ID from April 3 to 6.