Travel
Sheraton Taipei's Qǐngkèlóu Launches Fuzhou Creative Cuisine Starting at NT$180 per Dish
Fujian cuisine is one of China’s eight major culinary traditions, with Fuzhou cuisine as its mainstream. Its three defining characteristics are "seafood, red yeast rice, and sweet-and-sour flavors." From May 29 to June 14, Sheraton Taipei's Qǐngkèlóu is launching "Leisurely Journey Through Fujian Flavors," a special Fuzhou creative cuisine menu. The head chef visited Fuzhou for research and, combining Qǐngkèlóu’s Sichuan-Shanghai culinary philosophy, has created 25 carefully selected dishes, each starting at NT$180.
Time-Traveling Retro Party – Wilton’s Music Hall in London
The British reverence for tradition and classical culture is strongly evident in their dedication to historic preservation and the prevalence of vintage-inspired fashion. I’d like to introduce you to my secret pocket bar: Welton’s Music Hall！
The sweet dew soup that Empress Wu Zetian served to Emperor Xuanzong in the TV drama "The Empress of China" — you can try it today too!
Riding on the recent wave of interest in Empress Wu Zetian, the executive chef team at The Garden of The Westin Taipei Wardolf has drawn inspiration from imperial cuisine, meticulously researched historical texts, and added creative flair inspired by the drama, to specially launch the “2015 Grand Tang Dynasty Banquet.” For instance, in the drama, Consort De attempts to poison the dish, which is then presented to Emperor Xuanzong by Empress Wu — the sweet dew soup. This dish includes polygonum multiflorum, black chicken, deer antler, and deer tendon, while the chefs at The Garden have also added abalone to boost vitality.
A roadside stall from half a century ago revived in its original spot – a time-traveling journey through 500 retro photos of Taiwan
With the widespread use of camera phones and digital cameras, taking hundreds of photos while traveling has become commonplace. But in the early days, those photos that could only be seen after being developed have quietly become the best witnesses to historical change.
Summer’s biggest travel expo “Sweetheart Show with Special Deals” – Outlying Islands from just NT$3,999
Taiwan’s largest summer travel expo, the “2015 Taipei International Travel Fair,” will kick off on the 22nd (Friday). This year, a total of 450 exhibitors will occupy the entire World Trade Center I, setting up 1,200 booths. Last year, over 259,000 visitors attended, and the organizers expect this year’s attendance to exceed 300,000.
Hidden gourmet gem at Fengjia Night Market: The ultra-trendy "ziplock bag colorful cocktails" you can hold in your hand
Honestly, there are already tons of articles and guides about Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market online. There are so many write-ups on popular spots that I kind of don’t feel like covering them—others have done it more thoroughly and better, so I’ll save my effort... But these two are truly hidden gourmet gems that not many people know about. Yijiang Shao just opened, and Mini Mapper Ziplock Bag Cocktail Shop is located in a rather secluded and low-key spot, which many visitors to Fengjia might overlook.
A must-see magical wonder in a lifetime！The “Matsu Blue Tears” event has officially launched
Spring and summer are the most dreamlike seasons in Matsu！A few years ago, waves of faint blue light on the sea surface resembled the magical scenery from the movie *Life of Pi*, propelling Matsu’s tourism to another milestone. This year, the Lienchiang County Government has planned the “Matsu Blue Tears Series of Events,” and today (the 12th), the launch ceremony was held in the hall of Taipei Main Station, officially announcing to the nation and the world: “The Matsu Blue Tears are here!”
Eat your way down this street: Tainan’s Guohua Street, home to fresh-squeezed pineapple bubble tea and fried chicken legs
I believe anyone who’s visited Tainan often must definitely know about ‘Guohua Street’ and ‘Zhengxing Street’. Even two years ago when I wrote about Tainan, it was these two bustling cross streets right by Hai’an Road—teeming with people—that captured my heart. They represent the youth and passion of Tainan. The classics on Zhengxing Street include Juanwei House, Rainbow Came, Brian’s Tea, and Xiaoman Canteen; turn onto Guohua Street for Xiaojuan Rice Vermicelli, Jiangshui Stall, and the Western Market, then keep going all the way to Yongle Market.
Typhoon throws a wrench in the plans: The Laser Light & Water Screen Show at the Black Tuna Festival postponed to the 23rd
Due to the impact of Typhoon Hongxia, the Laser Light & Water Screen Show, originally scheduled to kick off this Saturday, May 16, as part of the Black Tuna Culture and Tourism Festival, has been postponed to May 23. Yan Fenglan, head of Pingtung County’s Department of Tourism and Communications, stated that many people have been inquiring about the show in recent days, but after considering the safety of the construction crew and equipment involved in the water screen display, the decision was made to postpone the event.
The U.S. National Tourism Office announces the launch of an online food website
The U.S. National Tourism Office, Brand USA, announced that it will launch an online food website under the international food tourism promotion campaign theme “Flavours of the USA.” The site will feature introductions to local specialties from all 50 U.S. states, five major territories, and Washington, D.C. It will also provide international travelers with food-related information across the United States.
Renowned designer joins forces: Zac Posen to design new flight attendant uniforms for Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has announced a collaboration with New York fashion designer Zac Posen to create a new generation of uniforms that are not only functional but also incorporate high-fashion elements from the runway. In addition to flight attendants and airport customer service staff, Zac Posen will also design uniforms for flight crew, ground support personnel, cargo staff, and Delta TechOps employees.
Kaohsiung Travel Fair Offers Big Discounts – Second Person Travelling to Malaysia Gets 3,000 NT Discount
The four-day 2015 Kaohsiung International Travel Fair will be held from Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18 at the Kaohsiung World Trade Exhibition & Convention Center (KECC). The Malaysian Tourism Board, in collaboration with Wufu Travel and Liangyou Travel Agency, is offering value-packed Malaysian tour packages starting from just 22,700 NT that let you explore Kuala Lumpur.
Kyoto’s Kitchen: Three Must-Visit Popular Shops at Nishiki Market
For visitors to Kyoto, aside from shrines and temples, Nishiki Market — known as the “Kyoto Kitchen” — is also worth exploring. Located along the section of Nishiki-dori Street between Teramachi-dori and Takakura-dori in central Kyoto, this shopping street offers a wide variety of goods, including fish, fresh vegetables, dried foods, pickles, and everyday household items. It's a market that's great for food, shopping, and strolling.
Taipei Railway Station Totoro Bus Stop – The Lonely Figure Waiting for the Bus Has Appeared
The Totoro bus stop at Taipei Railway Station has a new character background to admire now. The iconic Totoro bus stop sign from the famous Studio Ghibli film has appeared at the Wutie Akihabara Plaza. In addition to the green foliage backdrop paired with the Inari Shrine-style stop sign, there’s now a new umbrella-holding figure. The scene appears to show two sisters waiting for the bus in the rain, with just a Totoro missing from the picture.
Experience European manor life in Hualien！4 unique homestays make your little dream come true
You don’t have to go to Europe to experience a romantic castle manor. In Taiwan, you can feel it too. In the Hualien area of Taiwan, there are several homestays with distinctive manor features, nestled amid blue skies and green fields, with a uniquely advantageous environment that shuts out the hustle and bustle of the city. The lifestyle of manor owners is absolutely no dream—come to Hualien’s manor homestays, and your romantic dream can come true.
The Pingtung County Government has designated 4 cultural assets as “Provisional Historic Sites”
The Pingtung County Government has listed the Shuishuiying Ancient Trail, the Laizu Ancestral Shrine in Laopi Village, Neipu Township, the Zhang Family Merchant Building in Jiadong Township, the office of Yujiro Torii—the designer of the Erifengzhen Irrigation System in Laiyi Township, and the remnants of the former National Historic Site, the Lower Tamsui River Iron Bridge—as “Provisional Historic Sites.” Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an stated that this reflects a firm commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage. In addition, summer part-time job opportunities will be arranged to encourage young people to conduct field research on the county’s old trees, cultural landscapes, and religious beliefs.
Here come the little cultural ambassadors of the Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion—adorable and fun, they’ll take you on a tour of the garden’s hidden gems.
In response to the Ministry of Culture’s “518 International Museum Day: Travel with Fun” series, the Banqiao Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion hosted a guided tour event titled “Little Cultural Heritage Guardians Introduce You to the Garden’s Secrets” on May 16 and 17. Students from Banqiao Zhongshan Elementary School led visitors in exploring the traditional painted decorations and Zhangzhou-style woodcarving features of the Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion.
amba “ACHOI Restaurant” Opens on May 13 to Explore Taiwan’s Local Cuisine
Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report amba Taipei Zhongshan Indigo Hotel’s “ACHOI Restaurant” officially opened on May 13, collaborating with Lin Ming-Chien, former Executive Chef of Jean-Georges in Shanghai, to present creative contemporary cuisine. The name “ACHOI Restaurant” is specially prefixed with an “A,” representing the commitment to providing the best service, ingredients, and products.
The side dishes actually include beef tongue and oxtail!! The spicy kick of garlic in the beef noodles
Not long ago, Old K tried the famous Liao Family Beef Noodles on Jinhua Street, and to be honest, it didn’t really suit his taste. Later, he saw Claire’s review of Liao Family Beef Noodles. After checking it out, he wondered, “How come this isn’t the same place I went to?” It looked so much more delicious!! He immediately added it to his must-try list—and as a top priority, XD
Available only in May！Tokyo’s Half-Month Limited “SpongeBob Theme Café”
Japanese theme cafés are popping up one after another！Tokyo’s “TOWER RECORDS CAFE,” known for frequently launching various limited-time themed cafés, has launched a half-month limited “SpongeBob Theme Restaurant” at its Omotesando and TOWER DINING Ebisu stores starting from the 15th. If you’re planning to visit Tokyo before the end of May, don’t miss out！