Travel
Shocking News: Taipei W Hotel’s “Urban Beekeeping Project” Houses 250,000 Bees on Its Rooftop
Keeping bees in the city may seem unbelievable, but today (28th), the Taipei W Hotel, together with the Eden Social Welfare Foundation, held a press conference to unveil its “Urban Beekeeping Project.” The hotel announced that it is now raising 250,000 bees on its rooftop, aiming to help save the bee ecosystem, which is facing extinction, and to support disadvantaged groups through the honey produced from the beekeeping.
A Full Pink "Cherry Blossom River" Appears in Aomori, Japan – The Scene Is So Beautiful It’s Breathtaking
As May begins, cherry blossom season has ended in many parts of Japan, but in the northeastern region, it’s now at its most spectacular. Yesterday (27th), in Hirosaki Castle, Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan, temperatures reached 22°C, and cherry blossom petals fell onto the moat outside the castle, turning the entire river surface into a pink "cherry blossom river" – an incredibly beautiful sight!
Celebrate Japan’s Boys' Day on May 5th – Hot Spring Hotel Turns Sea Bream into Samurai Armor
To celebrate Japan’s Boys' Day (May 5th), from now until May 5th, Nikko Kaga Ryokan will display traditional Boys' Day decorations in the hotel, along with limited-edition Boys' Day dishes designed to resemble samurai helmets and carp streamers.
China Airlines launches direct Hong Kong–Taitung charter flights!
To expand the market for direct Hong Kong–Taitung passenger flights, China Airlines has confirmed the operation of 19 direct charter flights between Hong Kong and Taitung from June 27 to August 29 during the summer vacation period. Travelers from Hong Kong or mainland China can fly directly to Taitung to enjoy the beautiful mountains and waters of eastern Taiwan and experience Taitung’s renowned hot air balloon events.
A café with an expiration date? Enjoy afternoon tea in a presale property
5senses cafe is a fairly new coffee shop that has only been around for about a year, but it’s already quite popular. However, it may close soon due to its limited operating period.
The Wizard of Oz fairy-tale style restaurant also serves sirloin steak that rivals that of high-end hotels
QINMEI Cao Wudao is basically our own turf now!! XD On holidays, if there’s nowhere special to go, we’ll usually swing by here at least once~ I really love the atmosphere here, so laid-back, and the huge grassy area of Civic Square!! I love seeing all the little pets and the enthusiastic people around!! So I always keep an eye out for new shops opening here!! This place ‘Cherry Greenfield’—I’m sure anyone familiar with the area knows it well~
A Light Bus Trip in Tainan: Grandma’s Mural Village in Hucuoliao & the Totoro Bus Stop – All in One Go
A new attraction has been added to Grandma’s Mural Village in Hucuoliao, Shanhua District, Tainan City, run by Grandma Li Fan (a.k.a. “Li Fan the Shepherd”). The shepherd’s maze was created out of necessity when the original site for the “Era of Prosperity” mural exhibition became unavailable. The new attraction is located within the shepherd’s maze area. Tainan City Transportation Bureau Director Chang Cheng-yuan especially recommends that travelers take the bus to get there, as the route also allows you to stop by the Totoro Bus Stop in Dajia, offering a chance to experience two uniquely different mural villages.
Craving a Cuban sandwich after the movie? You can get one at Good Food City in Nangang, Taipei!
The super-popular Cuban sandwich from the movie "Chef" — want to try this flavor that’s different from an American sub? At the newly opened Nangang CTBC Good Food City, there’s a shop specializing in Cuban sandwiches called “Havana PaPa.” It’s not just the movie-style Cuban sandwich — they also serve a variety of cheese sandwiches, Havana toast sandwiches, and Cuban paninis.
Tigerair Taiwan's 2018 Early Bird Tickets Go on Sale Dec. 5 — Flights to Macau from NT$699, Japan from NT$1,099
Tigerair Taiwan has launched early bird discounts for its 2018 summer flight schedule, available for purchase starting December 5. Round-trip flights to Japanese destinations such as Okinawa, Osaka, Hakodate, and Tokyo start at just NT$1,099 including tax; flights to Macau are even available from just NT$699. The travel period runs from March 25, 2018, to October 27, 2018, and a promo code “ITSUMMER” is also available for use.
Kim Soo-hyun and Choi Siwon Are Here Too！Hong Kong Madame Tussauds Unveils Its K-Pop Zone
The "Korean Wave" has swept not only Taiwan but also Hong Kong. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Hong Kong Madame Tussauds grandly opened its brand-new "K-Pop Zone" on April 30, featuring wax figures of multiple Korean celebrities. These include Kim Soo-hyun, who played Professor Do Min-joon in "My Love from the Star," TVXQ members Jung Yunho and Shim Changmin, 2PM's Nichkhun, and Bae Yong-joon from "Winter Sonata."
12-meter giant "Apache" helicopter appears on Fulong Beach
The "2015 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival" is set to open on Saturday, May 2nd. This year, 27 sand sculptors from 13 countries, including the UK, USA, France, Canada, and Belgium, will create 66 sand sculptures. Among them, one particularly "eye-catching" piece turns out to be the recently popular "Apache helicopter."
Uji Matcha Shop Nakamura Tokichi Opens Its First Overseas Branch in Hong Kong
The long-established Japanese Kyoto matcha shop Nakamura Tokichi is opening its first overseas store, but unfortunately not in Taiwan—it’s in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, with the opening date set for May 15. Ingredients for Nakamura Tokichi's Hong Kong branch will be directly shipped from Kyoto, Japan, allowing residents of Hong Kong to enjoy the most authentic Kyoto flavors without leaving the city.
Where to go in spring? Top 10 most popular "picnic" spots in Taiwan by online popularity
Spring is here—what’s the best outdoor activity for this season? Quickly gather a few friends, bring some delicious food, lay out a picnic mat, and head out for a picnic together. DailyView’s online thermometer has revealed the top 10 most popular picnic spots in Taiwan. The first place goes to Yangmingshan’s Qingshui Cliff Grassland with its vast green spaces, while the second is the grassland at Huashan 1914 Creative Park, also located in Taipei. Check out where to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery and have a joyful picnic during your upcoming holiday break.
Attention travelers to Japan: Get a Sakura Card when flying with JAL and enjoy free Wi-Fi for 15 days
Sakura Telecom has launched the "Sakura SIM" in Taiwan, a prepaid data-only SIM card offering seamless connectivity anywhere in Japan. Priced at NT$888 per card, it comes with 1.5GB of data and allows for unlimited internet usage in Japan for 15 days. Starting April 30, passengers departing from Taipei Taoyuan Airport on Japan Airlines flights bound for Tokyo Narita (JL802) or Osaka Kansai (JL816) can collect a free Sakura SIM card at the boarding gate of their flight.
Tokyo Disneyland Announces 'Frozen' Themed Area to Open in 2017
Japan’s Tokyo Disneyland has announced that it will launch a themed area based on “Frozen”! The plan includes the creation of three new themed areas inspired by *Frozen*, *Alice in Wonderland*, and *Beauty and the Beast*, all expected to open in 2017.
Can't crack a lobster? The hotel’s head chef teaches you five easy steps to enjoy a lobster meal.
Can't crack a lobster? Always feel super awkward when eating lobster? Wang Fuli, the head chef of Yunxuan Western Restaurant at The Regent Taipei, teaches everyone how to properly crack a lobster—just follow these five steps: “twist, press, pry, break, pull,” and you can effortlessly enjoy a delicious lobster feast.
Travel industry joins hands to spread love: 600 underprivileged children to take a cruise and visit Taipei 101
As Mother’s Day approaches, the Taipei City Travel Agents Association, in collaboration with the Taipei City Government, is hosting the “Happy Taipei Love Tour” event. It invites 600 underprivileged family members to enjoy a free low-carbon one-day tour of Taipei on May 9 using public transport such as the MRT and cruise ships, allowing more people to celebrate Mother’s Day.
LINE partners with Hong Kong Ocean Park to launch its first-ever themed indoor water play party
LINE’s first-ever themed indoor water play party is coming soon. Hong Kong Ocean Park announced today (29th) that it will collaborate with LINE to roll out its key summer event of the first half of the year — “LINE x Ocean Park Summer Splash.” The event will feature a water maze, swings, and more, allowing visitors to interact with the characters from the messaging app.
A new hotpot choice: Taiwan’s first “smoke-free” dual-flavored spicy hotpot restaurant
It’s been a while since I last shared a food post about Taiwan. Recently, I saw everyone checking in at this place on Facebook. Just check in here and you’ll get a plate of king prawns worth NT$400 for free. After some investigating, I found out that this restaurant is located in Xinzhuang—no MRT here—you have to take bus 257 from Taipei Main Station. It’s a bit of a trek, but for great food and my favorite king prawns, I made the trip.
The most beautiful "wisteria seas" are all here! Here are the top 5 wisteria viewing spots in Alishan
In April and May, apart from sea of clouds and firefly watching, vast seas of blooming wisteria are also spreading across the mountains and forests of Alishan. The Chiayi Forest District Office reports that the Alishan National Scenic Area is currently in peak wisteria blossom season, with the blooms expected to last until mid-May. The office has specially recommended five locations within the scenic area where you can admire these wisteria seas. Come during the flowering season to enjoy the enchanting sight of purple-blue flower clusters forming cascading purple curtains swaying gently in the breeze.