Travel
TransAsia Airways offers 40% off on 7 domestic routes; save NT$986 on Taipei–Kinmen flights
From now until May 31, 2015, TransAsia Airways is offering discounted fares averaging 40% off on seven major domestic routes via its official website. Among them, exclusive routes such as Taipei–Hualien and Taichung–Hualien start at a minimum of 48% off, while the route with the biggest price difference is Taipei–Kinmen. Originally priced at NT$2,249, the lowest promotional fare starts at NT$1,263, saving you NT$986 (a 44% discount).
What to do if your luggage goes missing on a flight? Experts teach you how to file a claim
After leaving the baggage claim area, go directly to the airline counter. They will give you a “Property Irregularity Report.” Fill in the details on it. In smaller airports, the counter might be unattended—still, you must find a way to complete this form because without it, the claims process will be very difficult.
Welcome to Penghu travel!
The Penghu National Scenic Area Administration is hosting the “Joyful Journey to the Orchid Island – Plan Your Own Trip!” campaign. From May 1 to June 30, visitors can visit the official website and use the self-planning itinerary feature to create and publish an itinerary that includes at least a 3-day, 2-night trip covering six scenic spots according to the campaign rules. Once approved by the Penghu Administration, participants will have a chance to win a shopping gift voucher worth NT$1,000 or a 28T suitcase.
Guam International Music Festival to Rock on June 5 & 6
The 2nd Guam International Music Festival will kick off with high energy on June 5 & 6. Following the earlier announcement of American singer Nick Jonas as the first confirmed artist, the Guam Visitors Bureau has now revealed the second wave of international acts — Japan’s top boy band w-inds and Japanese hip-hop group Home Made Kazoku will also perform in Guam.
Taichung Travel Expo Opens on the 24th – Free Thai Visa Fees & Chance to Win Round-Trip Flights to Malaysia
The Taichung International Travel Expo will kick off in grand style from the 24th to the 27th at the Taichung World Trade Center. The Malaysian Tourism Board is offering a lucky draw for round-trip flights between Taipei and Kuala Lumpur as well as Kota Kinabalu, while the Thai Tourism Authority is providing a promotion where the first 50 people to purchase Thai travel packages each day will receive a complimentary 1,200 Thai baht visa fee waiver.
Japan’s Golden Week is coming soon — Taipei is the second most searched destination in Asia!
Taipei is the second most searched city in Asia during Japan’s Golden Week period. With the holiday approaching, Japanese travelers are actively planning their travel destinations. According to data from a Japanese international hotel booking website on popular overseas destinations during the Golden Week, Taipei stood out impressively, ranking second among Asian countries and fourth globally. This highlights Taipei’s strong appeal to Japanese tourists, driven by its famous hot springs, unique cuisine, and numerous scenic attractions.
The barbecue revolutionary of Myeongdong—Iron Man himself!
This place, called “囚???” or “脆?” (also known as Iron Man BBQ, or sometimes translated as Latte Man), has been on my radar for ages. A quick look at Naver with just a bit of Korean knowledge reveals it’s highly recommended in Korean blogs. But right before I got there, I heard Travel King had featured this spot too (haha)! So I went along with the flow. I’m not sure which branch they featured, but I chose “Factory No. 1”—seems like the original one, plus it’s very close to Myeongdong. Just walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station through the underground passage toward Euljiro 3-ga Station—you won’t even need to brave wind or rain!
Hsinchu Tung Blossom Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Opened to the Public; Hakka Tung Blossom Festival Begins on the 25th
The 2015 Hakka Tung Blossom Festival kicked off at Hsinchu City’s Gaofeng Botanical Garden on the 25th. The newly completed construction projects, including the hiking trail entrance on Baoshan Road in Shiba Jian Mountain and the pedestrian bridge at Gaofeng Botanical Garden, as well as the “Hsinchu City Tung Blossom Trail Project,” were also inaugurated on the 22nd. These improvements offer a safer and more convenient experience for visitors traveling between Gaofeng Botanical Garden and Shiba Jian Mountain.
Experience the thrill of speed at Marina Bay: Singapore Airlines sponsors the F1 race
In 2014, Singapore Airlines signed an agreement with Formula One Group, becoming the title sponsor of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. In 2015, Singapore Airlines continued its sponsorship of the F1 event, naming this year’s race the “2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.”
A Nighttime Beauty: Lakeside Restaurant in Chiang Mai Serves Coconut-Rich Authentic Tom Yum Goong
When thinking of Thai cuisine, one cannot fail to mention Tom Yum Goong (Thai spicy and sour soup). However, after traveling to Chiang Mai many times, I finally tasted the most unforgettable Tom Yum Goong at a lakeside restaurant in the north. Since then, every return to Chiang Mai has meant a must-visit to this lakeside spot for a feast.
Ramen lovers, this one's for you: 22 Tokyo ramen shops recommended by the Michelin Guide
Ramen is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, and delicious bowls can be found from north to south. Everyone likely has their own must-try list. The prestigious Michelin Guide, in its 2015 edition, not only listed Tokyo restaurants that earned star ratings but also highlighted 22 Tokyo ramen shops that, while not awarded stars, are still highly recommended. Are ramen enthusiasts tempted to try them all?
Body painting, limited giveaways – The opening event of the New Taipei Hakka Tung Blossom Festival kicks off in Tucheng
The New Taipei Hakka Tung Blossom Festival has reached its climax！On April 25, the grand main opening ceremony was held at Nantianmu Square in Tucheng. In addition to performances by multiple groups to liven up the atmosphere, there were also DIY activities, markets, and more for the public to enjoy！
Try the "Mazu Burger" in Taoyuan – Limited Offer of Buddha’s Hand and Crispy Fried Red Fermented Eel
Has anyone been to Mazu? Back in college, Nine-Five Nagging Wife traveled there with classmates and discovered that Mazu locals cook with remarkable naturalness and boldness. They often use fresh local seafood as their base ingredient and prepare it with simple techniques, which makes it easy to enjoy an authentic, primal flavor that tends to leave a lasting impression.
Japan’s “Thomas the Tank Engine” to start running in June; themed locomotive unveiled early
Japan’s only real-life version of “Thomas the Tank Engine” will once again chug through the scenic countryside of Shizuoka starting this June. The operating company, Oigawa Railway, has begun displaying the “Thomas’s Friend”-themed locomotive at Senzu Station, creating a new local photo spot.
Free taxi alternative bus off-peak service Kaohsiung’s Dahu Line launches on the 27th
The Kaohsiung City Government’s Department of Transportation has launched a pioneering “Flexible Taxi Transport Service Plan” to address low ridership on city buses in remote areas and to provide better service to regions that are difficult for buses to reach. This initiative replaces buses with taxis and introduces four service routes: Dahu Line, Yong’an Line, Daliao Line, and Dashu Line. All rides on these routes are free of charge. On the 27th, the Dahu Line began service north of Dahu Railway Station, with other lines expected to start gradually after mid-May.
It feels like dining at home—Yunnan home-style cooking frequented by backpackers
In recent years, private kitchens have been all the rage, but most of them just don’t do it for me. To be honest, charging such high prices with nothing special to offer—it’s not even as good as going to a proper restaurant with lighting, ambiance, decor, service, and the ability to pay by card. And isn’t it supposed to be a “private” kitchen? Why are there so many rules, making the whole experience feel so stiff?
66 World Toys Crafted from Golden Sand: Fulong Sand Sculptures Transformed into a Toy United Nations
Entering its 8th edition, the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival will take place from May 2 to July 12. This year, 27 sand sculptors from 13 countries have been invited to create 66 unique sand sculptures on Fulong Beach under the theme "Toy United Nations."
Collect 47 must-visit heritage sites — China Airlines launches the “Greater China World Heritage Passport”
To encourage more travelers to explore World Heritage Sites, the national airline has introduced the “Greater China World Heritage Travel Passport,” featuring all 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greater China as well as 18 potential ones in Taiwan. With this passport, visitors to China enjoy discounts on the second person’s fare starting from the second trip, and can even win a free ticket to any destination in mainland China.
Climb the 32-meter-tall Guanghua Tower for a 360-degree view of massive ships entering the harbor—Keelung Port’s harbor cruise activity is super cool!
The Keelung Branch of Taiwan International Ports Corporation will collaborate with Seaspan Marine Corporation to continue the "Fish Leaping into Longmen" harbor cruise activity from May 1 to November 1. On national holidays and weekends in the afternoon, the privately accessible attractions such as the Air Traffic Control Center and Guanghua Tower will be open for the public to take a harbor cruise and go ashore for a visit. The entire tour lasts about 2.5 hours, with the full ticket originally priced at NT$420. In May, there's a promotional price of NT$360, and complimentary snacks and drinks are included. In addition to the above waterfront itinerary, there are also group-chartered harbor cruises available, with a voyage of about 50 minutes per trip at NT$7,000 per trip.
It's time for an ice treat in summer every year！Lianlian’s signature premium ice comes with as many as 11 toppings.
I hadn’t been to the backstreets near Guhou for a while—partly because parking is difficult, and partly because I don’t pass through the area much these days. That day, I really craved some ice, hoping to find my familiar red bean tapioca ice, but the shop was closed. So I headed toward the area near Ming Chuan University to see if there were any good ice shops around—and that’s when I spotted Lianlian Ice Bar, which I thought I’d seen before. Well, why wait? I had to try it right away...