Travel
A no-name humble snack shop: 10 NT$ rice balls with timeless flavor
After enjoying Huang’s pork rice and Grandma’s curry tuna soup, we continued our quest for lesser-known street food along the old street. We noticed that many shops here have been operating for over 60 years, indicating that vendors have gathered in this area since early times. Near the end of the old street, by the temple entrance, we spotted this nameless 10 NT$ rice ball shop. Right across from it is the post office—we wondered if it might be one of those snacks recommended by fellow foodies. Well, since we were there, we decided to give it a try!
After Tokyo Disneyland, selfie sticks banned at 5 stations on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Since the selfie stick was introduced, more and more people have been using it while traveling. However, the long poles often cause inconvenience to others and can even pose safety risks. As a result, an increasing number of attractions and museums around the world have started banning them—such as the Palace of Versailles in France, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the U.S., the National Gallery in the UK, and Japan's Disney parks. Now, five stations on the Hokuriku Shinkansen in Japan, including Kanazawa and Toyama, have also prohibited their use.
I just love Japanese ramen!! Here are 8 popular ramen spots in Taipei’s East District you should check out
Remember the ramen craze that swept Taiwan when Ippudo and Yamagataken Ramen opened here? The hype died down for a while, but at the end of 2014, another wave of Japanese ramen brands landed in Taiwan—Sapporo Enjin Ramen, Setagaya Ramen, and Onikinbou Ramen all started opening shops. Among them, Sapporo Enjin Ramen and Setagaya Ramen set up shop in the East District. Add to that the already established Nagi Tonkotsu King, Menya Musashi, Tonchin Ramen, Yamagataken Ramen, and Ippudo...
Replicas of 36,000-year-old mammoth cave paintings from the Ice Age to open to public in southern France in April
According to the UK's Daily Mail, the French government has not yet opened the original caves to the public due to preservation concerns. However, a simulation replication project of the caves commenced in 2012, about 800 meters from the original site, and is expected to be completed this April, allowing the public to glimpse the lives of prehistoric humans from 36,000 years ago.
Where to go for the 4-day Children’s Day holiday? Take a geological trip along Neihu’s Dagou Stream
With a four-day-long Children’s Day holiday, besides cooling off in department stores or squeezing into crowded popular attractions, where else can you go? The Taipei City Government’s Public Works Department, Geotechnical Engineering Office, recommends a geological journey along Neihu’s Dagou Stream. The office has also installed various interpretive signs and related structural facilities here, giving children a chance to learn while enjoying outdoor excursions.
Authentic German and Austrian home-style dishes: German pork knuckle and handmade minced pasta
First of all, I really have to say: "Thank you, Ba Shizi, for letting me enjoy high-quality German pork knuckle anytime in Taipei." It’s been over three years since my first visit, and now returning to the basement on Dunhua Lane, time has transformed the once bright and colorful space into brick red tones. The wooden floors have taken on a darker hue, and the affordable chairs have evolved into traditional German beer benches (Biergartengarnitur).
Lazy Tamago-chan lounges on a pancake — Tokyo Skytree-exclusive “Tamago-chan Café”
The adorable Tamago-chan has now made its way into Tokyo Skytree! From now on, a limited-time “Tamago-chan Café” is open on the 4th floor of the Skytree’s Tree Village, giving travelers another great new spot to enjoy while taking in the day and night views of Tokyo.
Spring outing to Nantou’s “Dragon Vein Trail” – witness the great migration of purple crow butterflies!
Around Tomb Sweeping Day, in addition to the passage of grey-faced buzzards over Bagua Mountain, you can also see swarms of purple crow butterflies returning north after winter in central Taiwan. This year, due to frontal systems bringing fluctuating temperatures, experts predict that the largest numbers of purple crow butterflies in Yunlin may appear around Tomb Sweeping Day. The Nantou Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau has specially recommended a hidden butterfly-watching trail — the Dragon Vein Trail — ideal for family outings to enjoy spring walks and admire butterflies, while experiencing the beauty of Taiwan’s forest trails.
No need to go abroad—cotton candy pancakes are available right here in Taoyuan, plus a limited-time "Old Mee Drunk Berry Bits"
In the past, getting your hands on cotton candy pancakes might have required traveling abroad or heading to Taipei, but unexpectedly, the newly opened Old Mee Coffee in Taoyuan now serves these beautiful cotton candy pancakes that truly catch the eye.
This is the right way to go — Travel Guide to Getting to Tainan’s “Secret Kapok Tree Lane” in Jiajiang
In Tainan’s Jiajiang District, the neighborhoods of Lingziliao and Jiachang are home to fiery red kapok tree lanes known only to locals. Though they may not be as famous as Bahe’s Linchupi, Asia’s only most beautiful flower sea street, Jiajiang’s kapok lanes are longer and more widespread. During the spring break, why not take the Tainan Bus Blue 1 or Blue 10 branch lines to explore these secret kapok tree spots in Jiajiang, and also visit Jiajiang Fishing Port and Beimen Crystal Church for a relaxing bus trip?
Specially selected 40-day dry-aged Australian steak | A CUT's chef's steak by the mischievous Chef Ling Weilian
Bear and Meow's first visit to the steak sanctuary A CUT at Ambassador Hotel—apart from the exceptional ambiance, Chef Ling Weilian, who cares deeply about meat quality and aging, combines vision with boldness. For both Bear and Meow, A CUT at Ambassador holds vivid work-related memories. For Meow, her main team’s senior management absolutely loves the steaks here, and every chance they get to dine together, they cleverly arrange to meet here—even if it’s a different dining room...
The charm of Pi桃-kun strikes again!” The “Ushi no Tane Theme Restaurant” is fully booked for reservations until April 22
The “Ushi no Tane’s Secret Garden Café & Light Meals,” a theme restaurant based on the Ushi no Tane characters, began trial operations on April 11 and has been accepting phone reservations daily starting at 11:00 AM since then. As soon as the news came out, the reservation hotline was immediately flooded. On the 3rd, the store also announced on its official Facebook page that all seats are fully booked until April 22！
Want to spend a night in a charming little house? Start by checking out these 12 dreamy vacation cabins around the world
Compared to star-rated hotels, “tiny houses” carry a sense of romance and offer a more authentic, local experience. Living in a compact space also has its own unique charm. Below is a curated list of cabin accommodations from around the globe by U.S. website BuzzFeed. We’ve handpicked 12 for you—why not try one on your next trip?
A must-visit "Sanrio Puroland" for cat lovers in Tokyo
As a cat lover, if you think a Hello Kitty-themed plane isn’t enough, how can you miss Sanrio Puroland!? You definitely have to set aside some time to visit this Sanrio paradise in Japan. In this theme park, everything you see and touch is all about Hello Kitty and her friends～
Affordable Vietnamese cuisine at West Lake Market — “Beef Pho” simmered in bone broth
Today, Old K came here specifically to try it. Although their signature dish is Cantonese-style congee, Mei Ji recommended the pho. Old K asked Mei Ji, “Isn’t the congee good?” Mei Ji replied that the congee is made by the boss’s mother, but she works slowly, so they never had the chance to try it XD. Old K originally thought of ordering one bowl of congee and one of pho, but when he heard the congee would take a long time, he decided to skip it.
Kaohsiung Becomes New Battleground for Low-Cost Carriers – Scoot Plans July Launch of Kaohsiung–Osaka Route
The battleground for low-cost carriers in Taiwan has shifted from the north to the south, and now Scoot is joining the game as well, planning to launch two new routes: “Kaohsiung–Osaka” and “Kaohsiung–Singapore.”
Firefly-Watching Season in GuanZiLing, Tainan — Witness a “Blue Starry Sky” Woven by Tiny Lights
Besides flower viewing, Taiwan has also entered firefly-watching season. The Nanhao Liao rural area in GuanZiLing, Tainan, located within the Siraya National Scenic Area, has launched a firefly-watching event starting today, allowing the public to witness the beautiful sight of fireflies dancing among the trees with their tiny glowing lights.
Century-old White Cherry Blossoms: The “Otherworldly Wonder” at Dongquan Temple in Toyota City, Nagoya
Recently, China, Japan, and South Korea have been engaged in a “cherry blossom rivalry,” debating where Japanese cherry blossoms actually originated. But as the saying goes, “Bodhi is fundamentally no tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand—where can the dust alight?” Viewing cherry blossoms is all about embracing a tranquil heart. Below are photos provided by Professor Lin Yanru, head of the Department of Philosophy at Chang Jung Christian University, who takes us on a visual journey to admire a rare century-old white cherry blossom.
Even Korean celebrities visit here too – the authentic Chuncheon spicy chicken at Taipei’s “Dakabbi”
In recent years, with the Hallyu craze in full swing, foodies who love Korean cuisine are in for a treat. On this day, Pingzi revisited the famous Korean restaurant Chuncheon Dakabbi in Taipei’s Zhongshan District. This place serves authentic and delicious Korean food — even the K-pop supergroup Super Junior has dined here, which speaks volumes about its amazing taste. Come on down for a pilgrimage now.