Travel
Nintendo and Universal Studios announce collaboration to create a "Mario Land"
On the 7th, Nintendo announced that it will collaborate with the American Universal Parks and Resorts (Universal Parks and Resorts, UPR) to create a Mario Brothers-themed amusement park, featuring characters from Nintendo games, with locations planned for Hollywood and Orlando.
The Insider’s Hidden Gem List: Must-Visit Cafés in Tokyo!
Just like Kyoto, Tokyo has an endless list of hidden café gems. Unfortunately, each time I visit Tokyo, I never have much time, so I can only squeeze in as many cafés as possible within the shortest time. On this trip to Japan, I only visited three cafés in Tokyo. My most wanted spot, Blue Bottle, never fit into my schedule, so I’ll have to save it for next time.
Language is no longer a problem! Jeju Island volunteers offer 24/7 free translation services
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Government announced on the morning of the 13th that it has signed a business agreement with South Korea’s “bbb Korea” to provide translation services for travelers, aiming to create a language-barrier-free tourism environment on Jeju Island.
Over 100 varieties: New Taipei’s Wanjin area crowned the “Hometown of Azaleas”
The New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau, in an effort to promote azalea cultivation and restoration, will join forces with the Wanli District Office to hold the “2015 Wanli Azalea Restoration and Azalea Avenue Planting Ceremony” at 10:00 AM on May 14th on the grassy area of Wanli Emerald Bay.
No need to fly—head to the Malaysia Food Festival and savor authentic Nyonya, satay, and laksa!
You can enjoy Malaysian cuisine without boarding a plane. The Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia Friendship and Trade Centre, and Mandarin Oriental Taipei Taoyuan Airport Hotel have collaborated this month to invite elite chefs from Kuala Lumpur’s five-star Pullman Hotel to Taiwan for the “Malaysia Food Festival.” The event features local specialty dishes such as Muslim banquet-style spiced tomato chicken, spicy seafood delicacies, fresh squid salad, ink squid in sauce, and stir-fried squid, among others.
Even the Palace Museum is free of charge this time around: here’s a list of 76 museums across Taiwan offering free or discounted entry on International Museum Day 518!
In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18th, over a hundred museums across Taiwan are rolling out special events and offers, including free admission on May 17th and 18th. Among them are the Yingge Ceramics Museum, National Palace Museum, and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, among dozens of others nationwide. Embrace the artistic spirit this joyful month and embark on a museum adventure!
Online Travel Fair for Beitou Hot Spring Hotels – Up to 48% Off for Stays & Soaks
Beitou L’Amitié Hot Spring Hotel announced that this year, in conjunction with the TTE Taipei Tourism Expo, it is hosting an online travel fair, offering up to 48% discounts on various accommodation and hot spring ticket packages.
Run on an F1 track！Join the Singapore Sundown Marathon and enjoy breathtaking night views while running
Recently, Taiwan has seen a surge in running enthusiasm. It’s not just a national sport but also a lifestyle, and many runners enjoy jogging around the world. On July 4 this year, Singapore will host the “Sundown Marathon,” which is unique because it takes place at night, allowing participants to enjoy Singapore’s dazzling nightlife and run on a Formula One racetrack.
The Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Visual Feast: Sydney’s International Light Show Kicks Off on the 22nd
The globally anticipated Sydney Light Show – the seventh edition of “Vivid Sydney” – is set to launch on May 22nd. Lasting 18 days, it’s the largest visual spectacle in the Southern Hemisphere, and best of all, it’s free to attend!
The secret beneath conveyor belt sushi plates — the kitchen always knows what you've eaten!
As plate after plate of conveyor belt sushi makes its way to you, its affordability and deliciousness make it hard to stop at just one. Japanese conveyor belt sushi is both cheap and tasty, and the rotating belt always seems to feature nigiri that tempts you to grab it. Ever wonder why? Because there’s a tiny chip hidden under each plate — the kitchen staff know exactly what you’ve taken and how many plates you’ve eaten.
Treat yourself to a sweet afternoon tea after visiting the palace—a Belgian waffle topped with strawberries!
Walking through the alleys near Deoksugung Palace, you’ll definitely be drawn in by the crowd if you happen to pass by—just like I was~ It’s very close to Jeongdong-gil, so you can easily include it in your nearby itinerary. You can also visit Deoksugung Palace itself—the ticket is only 1,000 KRW. There are cherry blossoms inside too.
The Taste of Taitung in the Highlands: Mulberry Leaf Tea and Cakes with a Subtle Aroma
In recent years, many people have returned to Chishang to start their own businesses—not just young people, but also middle-aged families who had once achieved success in their careers. The "Sunny Barn" workshop near Chishang Railway Station is a small shop opened by a pair of middle-aged sisters who decided to return home after ending their careers in western Taiwan. They named the shop “Sunny Barn” after their Amis father’s name, Buda (which means “an open space for drying things” in the Amis language).
Forbidden City Trials Ticket Discount – Save NT$100 from July 1st
The number of visitors to the National Palace Museum has been increasing year by year, growing 1.2 times in 2014 compared to 2013, and it is estimated that the number of visitors will continue to rise in 2015. The museum stated that from July 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015 (104 year in Taiwan calendar), a trial discount measure will be implemented. Visitors who purchase tickets starting at 4:30 p.m. each day can buy discounted admission tickets without presenting any identification, in order to alleviate visitor congestion during peak hours.
A latte art champion’s café – A must-visit coffee shop near Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine
In recent years, more and more young people have opened cafés in Kyoto. Among them is “Latte Art Champion Coffee,” located right next to Yasaka Shrine. Instead of following the traditional old-school café style, it offers a youthful flavor and pace that’s definitely worth trying.
Professor Do Min-joon says "Hello" — Jeju Air unveils its Kim Soo-hyun livery plane
Korean low-cost carrier Jeju Air announced that the livery plane featuring popular Korean actor "Kim Soo-hyun" will soon make its official debut. The plane features five oversized photos of Kim Soo-hyun in different poses, and he also cheerfully greets passengers in various languages with a "Hello!" — much to the anticipation of many fans.
Summer vacation rooms and flights are hard to come by; Japan tour prices see up to 5,000 yuan increase
As the peak summer travel season from July to September approaches, many parents are also planning family trips. The Republic of China Travel Quality Assurance Association today (May 15) released information on tour prices for July to September. The association stated that the current travel market is trending towards refinement and diversification, and it is expected that flight availability may still be insufficient this summer. Therefore, travelers planning to go on trips during the summer vacation must plan ahead.
Sheraton's Cantonese-style crispy duck with skin and meat separated Ingredients sourced from Hong Kong’s Yung Kee
When it comes to roast duck in Taipei, many people’s first thought is likely the Cantonese-style crispy-skin duck from Lungdu Restaurant. But what few may know is that the mastermind behind Lungdu’s roast duck is Yang Huaguang, the current head chef of char siu and roast meats at Sheraton’s Chenyuan. He was once the fifth-ranked chef at Hong Kong’s Yung Kee and has nearly 40 years of experience in roast meats and duck. Yang Huaguang says that Chenyuan’s Cantonese-style crispy-skin duck features skin and meat that are separated.
Hong Kong Chef Guest Appearance at Far Eastern Hotel's Dynasty Chinese Restaurant – Iberico Pork Turned into Char Siu Sparks Conversation
Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, a Cantonese fine-dining venue on the sixth floor of Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, is hosting Chef Lei Tin Ming, Executive Chef of Charcuterie at Dynasty Chinese Restaurant in Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, from now until May 24. Chef Lei, who has earned two Michelin stars for six consecutive years, will bring his signature charcuterie dishes to Taipei, including Iberico pork char siu, wild mushroom roasted suckling pig, and crispy three-layer pork.
Elsa is coming to Up town！On June 11, the Frozen Village at Hong Kong Disneyland will make a grand debut
From June 11 to August 30, 2015, Hong Kong Disneyland is proudly launching the Frozen Village, offering families an icy experience in the summer heat where they can meet Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, and the lovable Olaf in person！Taiwanese visitors can also take part in a special event hosted by ETTODAY from May 15 to June 15. By writing about “My Family’s Happy Moments” on the event’s webpage, they could win a chance to enjoy a happy summer at Hong Kong Disneyland！
White Coffins on Display at Youth Design Festival – Visitors Can Try “Death for 2 Minutes”
The 2015 Youth Design Festival kicked off energetically today (15th) at Pier-2 Art Center. With as many as 1,400 entries submitted, many of the student works on display are highly captivating. Among them are a visual interactive exhibit allowing visitors to experience the inside of a coffin, an “Airer Window” designed for drying clothes in urban apartments, and a BATH CHAIR that makes bathing easier for the elderly—each one well worth seeing.