Travel
Low-Carbon Cycling Tours in Eastern Taiwan – Experience the Island’s Most Pristine Light
To promote cycling and raise awareness about protecting the environment of Hualien and Taitung, the Eastern Coastal National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the East Coast Administration) specially organized the “2015 Protect Hualien and Taitung, I Love Cycling” event from May to November. The activity takes visitors deep into indigenous villages to hear moving stories and experience vitality, as well as to enjoy the beauty of Hualien and Taitung’s mountains and sea.
1,400 works set a new record — The 2015 Youth Design Festival kicks off
May in Kaohsiung is bustling with energy. The 2015 Youth Design Festival launched vibrantly today (15th) at Pier-2 Art Center. With the number of participating schools and departments increasing year by year, this edition features an impressive total of 1,400 entries from as many as 59 institutions. The top prize in the competition has been raised to NT$80,000, and at the press conference, students showcased their self-designed fashion pieces, demonstrating youthful creativity.
Drinking beef soup while reciting ancient poetry — The 518 International Museum Day offers a rich variety of themed activities
In response to the 518 International Museum Day organized by the International Council of Museums, the Ministry of Culture collaborated with the Ministry of Education, the National Palace Museum, and 159 museums across Taiwan to jointly host a series of related events under the theme “Museum Adventure Tour.” This year’s 518 International Museum Day theme is “Museums and Social Sustainability,” which calls on museums to leverage their social influence and, through educational and exhibition activities, raise public awareness about issues such as Earth’s resources and ecosystems.
Free chicken soup is served here！ The “Hainanese Chicken Rice” on Qingcheng Street comes with red sauce and scallion-ginger sauce.
Finally got to see it with my own eyes！ In the evening, I headed specifically to the intersection of Nanjing and Fuxing Roads, then slipped into a lane along Qingcheng Street. No need to look around—just head straight for the place with the crowd. The enticing aroma of the rice starts wafting from the queue itself, which is quite surprising. Like at chain fast-food joints, ordering is done at the counter. After paying, you find an empty table and wait for your food.
The Cassia season has arrived！ A romantic golden rain showers the streets of Kaohsiung
The annual vibrant Cassia season kicks off the romantic summer in Kaohsiung！ Stroll along the streets of Kaohsiung, where clusters of golden, bell-like blossoms bloom brilliantly, as if a dazzling golden rain is falling.
HowToTrip News: HOTE Hotel Opens in Taichung, Featuring “Ah Qiu’s Big Fat Goose” Restaurant
The first four-star “HOTE Hotel” in Taiping District, Taichung, stands 13 stories tall and offers 220 exquisitely designed guest rooms, including garden-style and European-style options. Facilities within the hotel include a buffet breakfast restaurant, café, multifunctional meeting rooms, business center, and more. The third-floor banquet hall is now home to Taichung’s renowned “Ah Qiu’s Big Fat Goose” restaurant, bringing top-tier banquet services to the Taiping area.
Pick the right time to visit Luodong Night Market—no more long queues for Dragon-Tiger Legs or Eight-Treasure Ice!
This time we stayed at Eric’s Homestay in Wujie, not far from Luodong Night Market. We originally wanted to try the stir-fry restaurant recommended by the host, but the kids were adamant about visiting the night market, so off we went again. We only managed to try a few stalls before it started raining. Here’s where we ate this time... Grandpa’s Dragon-Tiger Legs → Japanese-style Sweets Mitsuga-yaki → Tang Shu Shu (Stinky Fries) → Original Sesame Oil Chicken → Park No. 20 Desserts & Ice Cream → Wei Jia Xiang Cantonese Braised Dishes
Precious moment captured: New Airbus A350 makes its debut in Taiwan with original factory livery
Airbus' new medium-to-long-haul aircraft, the A350, landed at Taoyuan Airport for the first time today (16th) at 12:28. This is the A350-900 model, which will conduct demonstration flights on the 18th and 19th. Both China Airlines and EVA Air will participate in test flights.
Travel with kids while having fun – Cute and playful family-friendly homestays with slides
In recent years, family-related topics have been all the rage, not only giving rise to many family-oriented restaurants but also prompting homestay operators to launch family-friendly accommodations. Some homestays have incorporated slides into their room facilities to enhance the fun for families, allowing travelers to enjoy their trips while taking care of their kids without worry—parents can also have a more relaxing and enjoyable time.
First look at the Miffy-themed café: super kawaii character cakes
The Miffy-themed café "miffy×2% café" located in New Taipei City’s Zhonghe Uni-President Department Store is set to begin trial operations on May 17. ETtoday EBC brings you an exclusive sneak peek at the venue’s interior design and menu. In addition to three adorable life-size Miffy plush toys greeting visitors at the entrance, the café is filled with Miffy imagery — from walls and tables to cups and even napkins. Café manager Liu Yaxi also revealed that the three Miffy figures at the entrance are just stand-ins; two larger Miffy statues will take their place when the café officially opens on June 21.
Try 40 types of ramen in one go！Japan’s biggest “Tokyo Ramen Show” kicks off in October
Besides popular Taiwanese-favorite ramen shops like Ippudo, Ichiran, and Bai Guang Xuan, what other ramen joints are worth a visit? Dubbed Japan’s largest ramen festival—the “Tokyo Ramen Show”—this year will gather 40 of the country’s most beloved ramen shops, making its debut in Tokyo at the end of October to treat visitors to a delicious feast！
Japan's Mega Burgers of Food！Take on a 35-cm Diameter Omurice or Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl
A super-sized 35-cm pork cutlet rice bowl—this portion isn't for the faint of heart！If you often watch Japanese variety shows, you might be familiar with mega-sized meals, where celebrities take on oversized dishes. Japan’s official tourism e-magazine has rounded up four restaurants serving mega meals, inviting confident travelers to take on the challenge.
It tastes like Doritos！This oversized 18T pizza is baked with cornmeal flour
Never expected to find such a unique pizza in such a hidden alleyway. Using cornmeal as part of the crust is actually pretty good—if you're a fan of corn chips, you should definitely give it a try. I (Lao K) personally don’t love it that much XD, but it’s still worth a shot. Three people can finish an 18T pizza and feel quite full. For girls, though, I’d recommend going with four or more people.
The little green man has switched to cycling！ Yanshui now has Taiwan’s first “bicycle-only traffic signal”
Cycling has become increasingly popular in Taiwan, with bike lanes stretching across both major cities and small towns, allowing cyclists to avoid competing with pedestrians and vehicles for road space. In a move to enhance cyclist safety, the Tainan City Transportation Bureau has set up Taiwan’s first “bicycle-only traffic signal” in Yanshui, giving cyclists a safer ride.
Highly recommended Japanese charcoal BBQ all-you-can-eat experience featuring Matsusaka pork and seafood!
We’ve always gone to regular yakiniku restaurants when craving grilled meat, but after a few visits, we wanted to try something new. After checking online reviews, Tōtarō Japanese Charcoal BBQ had decent ratings, with branches not only in northern and southern Kaohsiung but also in other cities. Based on the feedback, we finally chose the Guangxi branch in southern Kaohsiung for our meal.
What to do when your phone is down to 5%? Taipei Main Station sets up a “phone charging station”
With the increasing prevalence of smartphones, the demand for power banks and charging stations has also grown significantly. To serve travelers, Taipei Main Station has set up a “phone charging station” in the first-floor lobby starting today, available for anyone in need.
Please inform the passenger behind you before adjusting your seat 11 Extremely Important Airplane Etiquette Tips
A large group of people crammed into a small cabin for a long-haul flight of over ten hours can be quite miserable without mutual respect. Many have had bad experiences—like having the armrest on a middle seat taken over by neighbors or someone falling asleep on top of you. Q?Ｒ韵率氢usinessinsider website suggests 11 airplane etiquette rules that travelers should keep in mind. For the sake of flight quality, everyone should pay more attention to these details:
Red phoenix flowers are falling at the Wude Hall！ The spirit of Japanese samurai kendo
While the northern hills are still blanketed in the beauty of tung blossom snow, the passionate red of southern Taiwan has already bloomed... White in the north, red in the south, as if it were a grand red-versus-white showdown, a competition of beauty between red and white. At the Wude Hall in Gushan, Kaohsiung, there is a flame tree that, when I came to check on its blooming status this week, had unexpectedly burst into bloom; the fiery red phoenix flowers are covering the branches, enchanting and intoxicating. Amid the traditional Japanese architecture of the Wude Hall, you can feel the passionate red of southern Taiwan.
No charge for using the toilet！ Amsterdam turns public toilets into fertilizer
One of the most frustrating things for many travelers in Europe is “Why do I have to pay to use the toilet?” But now, when you visit a certain country, that grievance might just disappear. A few weeks ago, the Amsterdam authorities actively encouraged locals to “answer nature’s call” in public spaces, as they plan to turn this waste into fertilizer for local farms.
Cheers to summer fun—Shizuoka’s summer-only “All-You-Can-Drink Beer Train” launches in July
Operated by the Ōigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan—which is famed for its real-life Thomas the Tank Engine trains—a limited-edition “Cool Beer Train” will debut this July as a summer holiday special. Passengers can enjoy unlimited draught beer onboard while feeling the refreshing summer breeze, speeding through fields, and taking in the stunning mountain vistas of the Southern Alps.