Travel
Universal Studios Japan updates Harry Potter facilities; 3D effects make it feel like you can grab the Golden Snitch with your hands
Attention travelers planning to visit Universal Studios Japan!“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” has been upgraded with 3D technology to enhance the immersive experience, making the Golden Snitch™ and other elements appear so real you could almost reach out and grab them. Additionally, this summer, the annual highly popular limited-time events “One Piece Premier Show” and “Resident Evil the Real 3” will feature new elements.
MERS outbreak impacts travel: China Airlines to suspend flights between Kaohsiung and Seoul after mid-June
As the MERS outbreak in South Korea continues to worsen, Taiwanese airlines including China Airlines, EVA Air, and TransAsia Airways have begun relaxing ticket refund policies for flights to South Korea. Passengers who have purchased tickets for flights from Taiwan to South Korea can now receive a full refund without any penalty if they do so before June 12. China Airlines announced today (8th) that flights between Kaohsiung and Seoul will be suspended until the end of July, with other routes also seeing reduced frequencies.
New Taiwan Dollars accepted in Japan too!“Don Quijote 'Amazing Discount Hall'” now accepts 7 foreign currencies
The well-known Japanese discount store “Don Quijote 'Amazing Discount Hall',” famous for its wide range of products and low prices, has announced that by the end of June, travelers can pay in 7 foreign currencies at all 254 of its stores across Japan. Taiwanese travelers can now shop directly at Don Quijote just by bringing New Taiwan Dollars (TWD)!
Urban water slides to land in Hong Kong in August – an ultra-exciting 300-meter slide by the Victoria Harbour
Can you experience the thrill of a water park right in the city? SlideTheCity, a global phenomenon that has taken various cities by storm, is coming to Hong Kong as the second officially sanctioned urban water slide event in Asia after Japan. Making its Hong Kong debut, this massive 300-meter water slide will be set up at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal berth area during the summer holiday season — a great option for travelers planning a visit.
Grand Opening in Taichung! Essential Food Guide to Dali Night Market
Drumroll, please! The "Dali International Tourism Night Market" has finally officially opened on May 29th! To bring you the best experience, I (DaKou) even paused my diet plan and headed straight to the opening day to scout out what makes Dali Night Market special and which must-try foods you shouldn’t miss!
The “Sushi Suitcase Covers” have new designs again this year—turn the airport into a conveyor belt sushi bar!
Last year, PARCO released “sushi suitcase covers” in the shapes of tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), tuna, and salmon. Their unique and fun designs attracted many travelers to snap them up. This year, PARCO has introduced three brand-new designs, including an octopus, that turn your luggage into sushi and the baggage carousel into a revolving sushi counter!
Asiana also waives cancellation fees now! A full comparison of refund policies for MERS-related cancellations across 11 airlines
Amid the severe impact of MERS on Korean tourism, Taiwanese carriers China Airlines, EVA Air, Mandarin Airlines, and TransAsia Airways have all announced full refunds without additional fees for bookings made before June 12. Additionally, several foreign airlines have proactively updated their policies to facilitate ticket refunds for passengers.
Traveling is so different for men and women—turns out their sense of time differs a lot too?
Whether it’s men or women traveling, they all have different perspectives and habits, and when it comes to punctuality, the differences between genders are equally varied.
Taiwan’s first: Old bank transformed into Yilan Art Museum, with “old vault” becoming the highlight
The Yilan Art Museum, completely renovated from a former branch of the Bank of Taiwan, has finally opened to the public, radiating a strong cultural and artistic atmosphere. Long awaited by both locals and travelers, this marks Taiwan’s first-ever transformation of a bank into an art museum. In addition to showcasing modern paintings and artworks, the museum also presents the most beautiful imprints of Yilan’s history from bygone eras. Interestingly, the bank’s original “vault,” with its thick doors and lofty ceilings, has become a major attraction for visitors.
Guarding Against MERS Outbreak in Taiwan: All Airports and Airlines on High Alert
To prevent the spread of the MERS outbreak from South Korea to Taiwan, major entry points across the country have tightened checks on inbound travelers. Taoyuan Airport has implemented centralized management and enhanced quarantine measures for all flights arriving from South Korea since June 10. Taichung Chingchuankang Airport has also arranged for nearby hospitals to be on standby, while Kaohsiung Airport continues to use fever screening stations to monitor the health of incoming passengers.
Hualien isn't just about homestays anymore—capsule hotels have arrived too, and they're super trendy with a foreign flair
Two design-forward capsule hotels have recently popped up in downtown Hualien, both located near Hualien Railway Station. Not only are they conveniently accessible, but they also offer great functionality in a compact, well-equipped package. Beehive Capsule Inn and Aries Capsule Backpackers combine the backpacker vibe with capsule lodging, and both have infused their designs with exotic styles inspired by the owners' international experiences, giving the capsule hotels a more refined aesthetic.
South Korea raises MERS alert level to 'severe' Korean Air also offers full refunds without fees
Today (June 9), South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyung-hwan announced that the MERS alert level has been raised from "caution" to "severe," reflecting the actual situation of the outbreak. Today,
Tainan Far Eastern Launches Penghu Seafood Season – Featuring Freshly Caught Seasonal Seafood
Seafood lovers, rejoice！From June 15 to July 19, the Drunken Moon Restaurant at Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Tainan is launching the “Penghu Seafood Season.” Centered around the season’s freshest seafood, the promotion features a selection of wild seasonal seafood from Penghu such as blood clams, stone crabs, sea urchins, and more. The hotel has created over 30 dishes using these ingredients, with each dish starting at NT$320 and a four-person set menu priced at NT$3,800. During the trial period, enjoy a 10% discount on the four-person set menu.
The Sabah Tourism Board of Malaysia has issued a statement: all tourism activities are operating normally.
A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 magnitude struck Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia, on the morning of June 5. Tremors were felt in Kota Belud and Kota Marudu in the north, as well as in Beaufort, south of the state capital. The Sabah state government also declared June 8 as a day of mourning to commemorate the 18 hikers who tragically lost their lives in the rockfall triggered by the earthquake.
The fourth Iryu ramen shop in Tokyo, Tonkotsu Gokujoh, features a rich tonkotsu broth.
Iryu Ramen founder Ryoichi Takamine had previously hinted in an interview with ETtoday Ettoday News Cloud that a fourth ramen shop was in the works. He later revealed the latest progress on his blog: the new shop is named Iryu Tokyo Tonkotsu 【Gokujoh】, specializing in Tokyo-style tonkotsu ramen. The new location is expected to be in Gongguan, and the shop’s lantern features a large white design rarely seen in Taiwan.
Eastern District Vietnamese Beef Pho – Enjoy 7 Different Cuts of Beef in One Bowl
On the second day of the May Day holiday, I went shopping in the Eastern District and thought I’d grab lunch first. Surprisingly, the Eastern District was quite empty—there weren’t many people in any of the shops. When we got to this place, there weren’t many customers either. There’s a Vietnamese beef pho shop here that we hadn’t been to before, so we decided to give it a try.
Taoyuan Airport unveils 34-meter double-decker glass jet bridge; prepares to welcome A380 by year-end
Taoyuan International Airport is expected to welcome the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380, by the end of the year. To properly accommodate the A380, many of the airport’s facilities and specifications have had to be thoroughly reviewed and confirmed. Among these, a specially built “smart double-decker glass jet bridge” at Stand C2 is ready to receive this aerial giant.
Xu Ruotong’s Facebook boost! Yilan’s “watermelon toast” goes viral, selling 2,000 slices daily
Recently, a super eye-catching product — “watermelon toast” — at a fewmeters bakery and handmade workshop in Yilan has been selling 2,000 slices per day, drawing long queues that have even caught the attention of the police. With celebrity Xu Ruotong posting on Facebook: “What an amazing toast — you win!” it has sparked a craze, becoming one of Taiwan’s hottest new summer treats recently.
The World’s Coolest Job: Stay for Free as a Mystery Guest at Taipei Marriott Hotel
Taipei Marriott Hotel will begin trial operations in July, expected to spark another wave of hotel competition in Taipei’s Dazhi district. This is the first time Marriott has entered the Taiwanese market, and to mark the occasion, they’re offering an enviable job—inviting members of the public to become “Mystery Guests (Mimi Guest),” much like those in the Italian movie *5-Star Life*. Not only can you stay for free and enjoy five-star hotel services, but you’ll also secretly evaluate the hotel.
The Xiahai City God Temple celebrates its birthday with the festive sounds of drums and gongs, bringing back the traditional temple fair culture of Dadaocheng!
The Xiahai City God Temple is a famous tourist attraction in Taipei and a revered place of worship for devotees. To celebrate the temple’s birthday on June 29 (lunar May 14), the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism organized a series of birthday celebration activities in June, inviting the public to experience traditional temple fair culture and visit unique shops with various styles along Dihua Street.