Taiwan’s tourism industry has once again taken the world stage. Known as the “Nobel Prize of the global tourism industry,” the 2015 Tomorrow Awards held their award ceremony on April 15. From over 158 applicants across 57 countries, Taiwan stood out and was shortlisted for the “Destination Award” with the “Old Caoling Bicycle Tunnel and Loop Line.”
If you're used to staying in regular hotels, you might find it a bit unexciting. Choosing more creative accommodations during your trip could make it much more fun. Right now in Taipei, there are two uniquely themed lodging options: the Space Capsule Hostel Space Inn and the First Class Hotel. These accommodations not only feature distinctive designs but also boast convenient locations, making them suitable for all kinds of travelers.
A powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in the early hours of today (25th), shocking the international community. According to Reuters, citing Nepalese police, the death toll from the quake continues to rise, with 449 confirmed fatalities so far, most of them in the capital, Kathmandu. The earthquake also caused the collapse of the historic 200-year-old tall tower "Bhimsen Tower (Dharahara Tower)" in Kathmandu.
For backpackers or solo travelers looking to cut down on trip expenses, aside from airfare, accommodation is often the next area to save. If you don’t want to spend too much but still desire a private space to rest, a “capsule hotel” might be a great choice. The Japanese travel website Retrip has selected four capsule hotels where you can sleep for as low as ¥1,900 (approx. NT$490) per night—possibly making them a worthy consideration for your next trip.
This brunch spot, "Cooking Research Institute," is not only unique in name but also in its business model. It offers just one brunch menu that changes every ten days. Regular operating hours end at 4 p.m., but customized dinners are available. Customers can discuss pricing and the menu with the owner in advance (three days prior), and only one table is served per night.
I originally planned to go to the Little P braised snacks near Xihu MRT Station to get some braised food this afternoon, but then I suddenly noticed a new oyster vermicelli shop right next door. Old K changed his mind—let’s go eat vermicelli noodles instead XD I asked the boss lady, and they’ve only been open for three months. This place only sells vermicelli noodles—you can choose from big intestine vermicelli, oyster vermicelli, or a mixed version. The large bowl is 60 NT$, the small is 45 NT$. If you don’t want the toppings, they also have plain vermicelli, with the large at 40 NT$ and the small at 30 NT$.
Lego bricks have accompanied many through their childhoods, and now, following Tokyo, Japan's second Legoland — the "Legoland Discovery Center" — finally opened on the 23rd in Osaka! Using over a million Lego pieces to recreate the cityscape and tourist attractions of Osaka, it has become a new family-friendly travel destination in the Kansai region, but adults can't go in to play alone.
In the evening, I went to Ximending to handle some errands and picked up Little D after work. Then, we rode our motorcycles toward Wanhua to look for food. It had been a while since I’d explored this area, so I made a detour to Xichang Street. To my surprise, the stir-fry restaurant where we used to eat had moved, but luckily ‘Dongshi Shun Oyster Omelet’ was still there. Next door, a really interesting Italian restaurant called “MONGA 161” had opened. It seemed to be doing good business and the prices were cheap, so we decided to give it a try.
The Taipei Xikou Cultural Festival is set to kick off on May 16, and the Songshan District Office has specially launched three "Artistic Journey to Xikou" free guided tour activities. Led by professional guides, participants will explore various scenic spots and historical sites in the Songshan District in depth. Registration is now open and will run until May 10.
Is it okay to travel abroad with a big belly? Many couples want to seize the golden moment to travel before their baby is born, but they also worry about potential risks during the trip. In fact, pregnant women can travel—it just requires more preparation and precautions than usual. By following some key principles, you can still enjoy your journey.
The murals in Nanshin Community, Puyan, Changhua, have their own unique charm and highlights. Although the mural themes still feature familiar cartoon characters, the papier-mâché relief-style works add a three-dimensional feel to the art; viewing them from different angles also brings different kinds of fun, giving these cartoon characters an extra layer of liveliness.
Not only does the UK have the “narrowest house in the world,” but Taiwan does too!In downtown Tainan, there’s a homestay right next to a major road, wedged between two buildings. Originally a passageway used by servants of wealthy households in the old days, after planning and redesign, it has successfully been transformed into a homestay. With a width of only 145 cm, each floor is designed for different uses, creating a whimsical space nestled in the heart of the old building that is quite captivating.
Huli has passed by this 【Blake Burger】 several times—it looks like a great vibe, perfect for hanging out with friends. The burgers use exclusive black bread, and the chocolate aroma totally hits the sweet tooth’s spot XD Plus, there's a melty peanut butter version... the salty-sweet combo is super satisfying, and Sally really liked it too. If only the burgers weren’t so high in calories... I’d want to rush back right away (
Architecture website Architizer recently announced the winners of the third A+ Awards, with Taiwan’s “Sustainability Ring” taking home both the “Professional Jury Award” and the “Popular Choice Award.” In fact, the winning projects showcase some of the latest and most impressive buildings from around the world, spanning residential, commercial, and even cultural categories. After being selected by 300 judges, the top five in each category were chosen by experts.
It’s wonderful to travel abroad with the whole family, but taking young children along can be a nightmare for many parents—let alone enduring a long-haul flight of over ten hours. The Daily Telegraph compiled “10 stress-free ways to travel with kids.” Due to differences in cultural context, this article selects nine of them. Parents, give them a try on your next trip!
The "Godfather of Steak" Deng Youkui has ventured into the hot pot business — what kind of spark will this create? Located in the alleys of Siwei Road, Da’an District, Danny's WhatsNabe has a rather understated exterior, and you might easily walk past it if you’re not paying close attention. Just as Deng Youkui’s greatest strength lies in high-quality beef, the hot pot meat at Danny's WhatsNabe is all top-tier steak meat, with three types of steak to choose from: American premium ribeye tenderloin, American premium ribeye, and Australian full-blood wagyu ribeye.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, which also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, has shocked the world. The Taiwanese government continues to monitor the situation of Taiwanese travelers in the area. On the afternoon of April 26, the Tourism Bureau announced that it has received reports from travel agencies confirming that there are currently 56 Taiwanese tourists in 4 groups in Nepal, all of whom are safe. However, arrangements for their return flights to Taiwan are still pending.
The third local snack I revisited in Taichung this time was Yang Qinghua. What stood out to me about Yang Qinghua’s spring rolls was their dry, crisp wrappers—I’ve never been a fan of soggy textures, especially when some spring roll shops use juicy fillings, which really isn’t my thing. And yet, this afternoon tea at Yang Qinghua still left me satisfied.
With the opening of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the Alishan Forest Railway and its Japanese sister railway, the “Kurobe Gorge Railway,” have once again launched a mutual ticket benefit program this year following last year’s collaboration. Taiwanese travelers can exchange one round-trip regional train ticket between Chiayi and Fenchihu on the Alishan Forest Railway for one free regional train ticket on the Kurobe Gorge Railway until the end of November.
Sometimes, choosing a good name really matters. Pair red beans with a line from a red bean-themed song, and suddenly it all feels artsy—even though it’s just a red bean pancake. Anyway, I hopped on my bike and went. It’s actually right next to Wei Re Shan Qiu, and if you want, you can even grab a pineapple cake while you’re there. The shop design is very hipster-style too, with a small round sign hanging outside, tucked away in a corner of the garden—you could easily walk right past it without noticing.