Travel
Glimmering Lights Await: The Firefly Eco-Tour in Aowanda Has Officially Begun
Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area, known for its stunning natural beauty across all four seasons, has officially entered firefly season. The Aowanda Nature Education Center has also launched a series of firefly-viewing activities. Guests staying overnight can join the evening firefly guided tours from April 27 to May 17, and in May, there will be four two-day, one-night "Mabo Mini Trips – Firefly Starry Night" themed events. These activities will lead visitors to admire the forest illuminated by countless sparkling lights as if the starry sky has descended upon the woods, bringing back childhood memories.
Tokyo is getting closer！ Peach Aviation’s first flight on the Taipei-Taoyuan to Haneda route in August
With the opening of the skies between Taiwan and Japan, flights between the two regions have become increasingly frequent, with more destinations being added. According to a report by the Nikkei Asia today (April 9), Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has officially approved Peach Aviation’s application, and the airline is expected to launch the Taipei-Taoyuan to Haneda route this August.
Time to head home for dinner—homely dishes at a Taitung stir-fry eatery
My go-to Taitung food expert, Xiaoqing, recently released a Taitung food book titled *Taitung Good Taste*, which shares the stories and recipes behind many local street foods. Thanks to Xiaoqing, I’ve gotten to try plenty of authentic local dishes. For example, the Kua Ji Snacks near Da Nan Bridge is a real gem—and this little spot is even featured in Xiaoqing’s book.
Universal Studios Singapore launches the new “Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey” suspended roller coaster ride
The world’s first “Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey” themed suspended roller coaster officially debuted at Universal Studios Singapore on the 8th. Visitors in Singapore can now embark on an aerial adventure in search of golden eggs and experience thrilling weightless sensations.
Keyboard Travel Bonanza！Take in 18 World-Class Cultural Heritage Sites in Japan in One Go
Beyond the urban scenery of Tokyo, Japan boasts other breathtakingly beautiful attractions. There are currently 18 sites in Japan that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Even if you can’t visit Japan in person to see the “real thing,” browsing through photos can still be a thrilling experience. Since these sites are recognized as World Heritage Sites, it’s best to see them now—lest they might not be around for much longer in the future.
Kaohsiung City Light Gallery Reopens: Glowing Giraffe Combines with 3D Landscape Effects
Kaohsiung City Light Gallery Reopens: The entire stretch of the Kaohsiung City Light Gallery has been revitalized, transforming a linear space adjacent to Zhonghua Road, Wufu Road, and Zhongshan Road. The new look integrates 3D landscapes, wall art, lightweight membrane structures, art walkways, and nighttime light installations.
Deepening Presence in the Chinese Market: Vietjet to Launch Flights to Hangzhou and Kunming
Vietnam’s low-cost carrier “Vietjet Air” announced in Beijing on the 8th that it will launch new routes between China and Vietnam and actively expand flight services between the two countries. Vietjet stated that it has submitted route planning applications to the transportation authorities of both China and Vietnam, including flights from Vietnamese cities such as Nha Trang and Da Nang to Chinese destinations like Hangzhou and Kunming. Travelers will have more diverse options in the future.
New Taipei City’s Tung Blossom Festival Kicks Off on the 11th in Tucheng – “Tung Blossom Shuttle Buses” Make Their Debut
The New Taipei City Tung Blossom Festival will begin on the 11th in the Nantianmu Mountain area of Tucheng. Due to the large crowds and traffic the event has attracted in previous years, the New Taipei City Department of Transportation will implement traffic controls starting the 11th and arrange special shuttle buses for visitors.
Pastry Master Sadaharu Aoki: Life Is About Eating Delicious Food
Do you often give up high-calorie delicacies for the sake of your weight? But Sadaharu Aoki, a world-class pastry master, believes that eating low-calorie food makes you unhappy. He thinks life is about enjoying good food and then exercising—this way, you can savor delicious meals happily while staying healthy.
Taiwan’s first-ever “Lunch Passport” offers 45 Taipei Da’an District restaurants for just NT$100
In an era when everything is getting more expensive except salaries, even having lunch requires careful budgeting. Now, Taipei has launched Taiwan’s first “NT100 LUNCH Lunch Passport,” where designated meals at 45 restaurants are all available for just NT$100—helping budget-conscious diners save money and take the stress out of deciding what to eat today.
Spicy to the max！A super-sized “Hell Pork Chop Ramen” with 180 grams of noodles
We went to the ramen shop she wanted to try to celebrate a friend landing a new job. We made a last-minute plan and arrived just before the lunch rush. On weekdays, there are quite a few office workers around during lunchtime, so to avoid the queue, it’s best to get there before 12 PM.
Taichung Spring International Travel Fair Kicks Off on April 28 – Hotels Offer Meal Vouchers and Room Discounts
The Taichung Spring International Travel Fair will take place on April 28. Hotel ONE by Taichung Yatai has specially launched a series of discounted dining and accommodation packages for the public to choose from. Cathay Travel has also joined forces with its five hotel brands — HOTEL COZZI Hotel Yitel Taipei Minsheng, Taipei Zhongxiao, Tainan Ximen, Kaohsiung Zhongshan (slated to open in summer 2015), and MADISON TAIPEI Taipei Montclair — to offer a variety of highly discounted dining and lodging options.
It's great to be chubby—super popular affordable stir-fry dishes with delicious garlic crispy pork tenderloin that goes perfectly with rice
I happened to be chatting on Facebook about my July travel plans to Italy, which sparked a lively discussion among several college classmates. One of them had even lived in Italy for five years, so everyone got excited about getting together. What started as a casual meetup between just three or four classmates turned into something much bigger when a classmate who had been living abroad also happened to be returning to Taiwan. One thing led to another, and in the end, we ended up with around eight or nine people.
Holiday Inn Express Taipei Xin Yi’s “Farewell Feast” Promotion
To welcome graduation season, the banquet hall at Holiday Inn Express Taipei Xin Yi is launching a “Farewell Feast” from May 1 to August 31. Prices are NT$999+10% per person on Mondays to Thursdays, and NT$1,199+10% per person on Fridays to Sundays. When the number of diners reaches 40 or more, the 41st person enjoys a complimentary meal.
Fireflies dance by the water's edge at night—Sun Moon Lake’s 2015 Starlight Firefly Season has arrived!
April and May are the best months to see fireflies at Sun Moon Lake each year. With its pristine ecological environment featuring low light pollution and minimal contamination, the area sees fireflies flitting through the forests at night. Their glowing lights intermingle with the starry sky, decorating Sun Moon Lake’s heavens and warming the hearts of visitors. In collaboration with local businesses, Sun Moon Lake has launched a nighttime firefly-watching event—the “2015 Sun Moon Lake Starlight Firefly Season.”
Standing for a Millennium: Thailand’s Grandest Stupa, Phra Pathom Chedi
From afar, you can see the towering golden stupa proudly standing — this is the Phra Pathom Chedi. Climb the stairs, make a donation as you wish, and follow the local customs by picking up the pre-arranged offerings such as incense sticks, lotus buds, gold leaf sheets, and bamboo sticks shaped like bodhi leaves. Proceed to worship in front of the Buddha statue along with the flow of people. Insert your incense, place 20 baht into a lotus-shaped bamboo stick and drop it into the cylinder nearby. Finally, carefully affix the gold leaf onto the statue in sequence to pray for peace and safety.
Freshly harvested and cooked green onions on-site at Pingxi’s “Field Kitchen”! Experience rural culture here.
The fields are the fridge, and the farmland can be your kitchen too. On the 11th, the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau held the Field Kitchen – Green Field Tour “Green Onion” Rural Culture Experience in Pingxi District, allowing visitors to harvest crops directly from the fields and then cook them simply on the spot, enjoying the freshest and most natural food and fun.
Venezuela Wins 21 World Beauty Pageant Titles – The Latin American Country You Didn’t Know
To many, Latin America brings to mind drugs, guns, and pirates, but there’s no denying that its delicious food and rich history have earned it a place in the tourism industry. Though these countries share a colonial past, setting aside those negative labels reveals unique cultures and strengths that differ from those of Europe and America. Here’s Thrillist’s roundup of “What You Don’t Know About Each Latin American Country’s Strengths”:
Malaysia’s First White Coffee in Ipoh – The More It’s “Pulled,” the Richer the Flavor
Visiting Ipoh in Malaysia without quietly savoring a cup of “Ipoh white coffee” is like going to Kuala Lumpur without properly admiring the Petronas Twin Towers. In Ipoh, old shops selling white coffee can be found around every corner, as if the air itself is always infused with the unique aroma of white coffee. The entire city feels like a cozy café for travelers—relaxed and delightful.
The last "Kaohsiung Light Rail Train" arrives in the early hours of the morning! Free rides available during August trial operation.
All Kaohsiung Light Rail Trains are now here! The Kaohsiung City Mass Rapid Transit Bureau announced that the 9th train, which is also the final one for the first phase of the circular light rail, arrived at the intersection of Zhongshan and Kaisyuan Roads in Kaohsiung at 3 a.m. on the 11th. It was then unloaded at the C2 Kaisyuan Ruitian Station. In the future, it will join the static and dynamic testing together. The bureau also stated that the trial operation is expected to begin by the end of August.