Travel
There’s a hint of sadness here — a Seoul homestay owner emailed: South Korea’s MERS outbreak is over.
The MERS epidemic in South Korea caused panic across Asia and dealt a direct blow to the local tourism industry, leaving travel agencies, hotels, and homestays struggling. ETtoday ETToday News Cloud received a post from a netizen sharing a “promotional” email they received from a homestay owner, which read: “The MERS situation in South Korea has ended. Special offer valid until August 31st — just 20,000 KRW per person per night.”
Wang Pin’s “Man Café” brand goes dark 5 outlets to close by end of July
Earlier this year, Wang Pin’s Man Café announced plans to invest NT$90 million in a transformation, aiming to build on coffee beverages while incorporating homemade bread and cuisine. But in less than half a year, Wang Pin has suddenly decided to end the “Man Café” brand. The first wave of closures includes Taipei Tingzhou Store, Taipei Ruiguang Store, and Zhongli Yuanhua Store on July 12, while the second wave will see Taipei Guangfu North Store and Hsinchu SOGO Store close on July 31.
Whole abalone, giant octopus, and squid all go into the pot!! Plus two jumbo lobsters
For this trip to Busan, I had planned visits to many great restaurants. On April 1st, I met up with friends and two fellow travelers from a Hong Kong backpackers' forum for lunch at the Emperor Submarine first, then in the evening, I made plans with Lily and Lily (yes, that's two Lilys!) to have Fupyeon beef intestines—total calorie overload!! This Emperor Submarine place was actually introduced on a TV show before my trip, and I quickly found out it’s located in western Busan. Since we were going to Busan anyway, how could I miss it?!
Taipei Children's Arts Festival kicks off with 100 free drama and music performances
The 2015 Taipei Children's Arts Festival runs from July 1 to August 9, featuring eight musical and dance shows adapted from fairy tales, such as *The Snow Prince*, and over 100 free performances that unfold one after another, guiding children into the world of art.
Purchasing simulators and raising salaries to retain talent: Revival of TransAsia Airways starts with aviation safety fundamentals
After nearly five months of investigation, the Aviation Safety Council today (July 2) released the cockpit voice recorder transcript of the TransAsia Airways GE235 crash into the Keelung River on February 4. Eight seconds before the crash, the pilots were heard saying “Wow, wrong throttle,” leading to suspicions that the accident was caused by human error. TransAsia Airways stated it will enhance flight safety through both hardware and software measures, such as establishing an aviation safety committee and setting up a training center.
News / The painted "Fun-Fly Express" train for the Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival makes its debut!
The 2015 Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival will kick off this weekend on July 4 (Saturday). The annual festival, which always draws huge crowds, has this year collaborated with Taiwan Railways to launch a painted train in hopes of attracting even more attention. Named the "Fun-Fly Express," the train made its debut today (July 2) at 14:45 at Taipei Railway Station, and can be spotted during the festival's weekend dates.
Mangala Villa in Da Nang, Vietnam – Experience Summer Healing on the Most Beautiful Beach
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely and relaxing foreign island holiday, then you absolutely must know about the city that boasts one of the world’s top six most beautiful beaches – Da Nang. On Da Nang’s stunning, pristine, and unpolluted beaches, Mangala Garden Villa offers you a truly unique healing experience. The moment you step out of the car, you’ll hear the warm greeting “Mangala” from the service staff who come out to welcome you. In Pali, “Mangala” means auspicious.
United Airlines and Azul Brazilian Airlines form strategic partnership, offering travelers more options in South America
United Airlines announced a new strategic partnership with Azul Brazilian Airlines, Brazil’s third-largest airline, giving travelers more choices when flying between the U.S. and Brazil.
TGI FRIDAYS challenges Taiwan’s largest American beef burger, weighing 130 kilograms
The American dining chain TGI FRIDAYS, which recently updated its entire menu, is making its first attempt at creating “Taiwan’s largest American beef burger.” It has also launched TGI FRIDAYS’ “Burger Month,” featuring five new all-American burgers made with 100% pure U.S. beef. The massive burger, the largest in Taiwan, was crafted by TGI FRIDAYS’ Executive Chef Tony De Graaf and a team of six chefs, who spent 13 hours creating an 80-centimeter-wide, 130-kilogram burger behemoth. The challenge was successfully achieved for the first time at TGI FRIDAYS’ Dunhua branch in Taipei.
The “Daxi Li-Fu Westin” opens in Taoyuan’s Daxi District, featuring Taiwan’s only spa suite
The Taoyuan Daxi Li-Fu Westin Resort Hotel is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2015. Westin operates over 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and regions worldwide and is one of the brands under Marriott International.
China Southern Airlines offers early-bird discounts on 10 mainland routes starting from just 8,750 yuan for Guilin
To prepare for the upcoming summer travel peak, China Southern Airlines will increase domestic and international flights by over 6,300 between July and September, bringing the estimated total to 180,000 flights, transporting 23.3 million passengers. Additionally, the airline has launched early-bird discounted fares for direct flights from Taiwan to the mainland, with the lowest price of 8,750 yuan for Guilin if booked 45 days in advance.
Impact of the Formosa Fun Coast explosion incident: 12 events including the New Taipei Children's Art Festival have been canceled or postponed
Affected by the Formosa Fun Coast dust explosion, the New Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs announced adjustments to 12 upcoming events. The New Taipei International Drum Festival, the New Taipei Children's Art Festival, and others are currently “suspended.” Detailed changes to special exhibitions, theater performances, and other events are as follows:
The Guest House Hotel's Food Expo meal vouchers are discounted up to 39% off (61% of original price).
The Taiwan Culinary Exhibition will be held from July 17 to July 20 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The Guest House Hotel is offering value meal vouchers for multiple restaurants at the event, including a 39% discount on the Cantonese Restaurant’s “Truffle Lobster Set Meal for Four” voucher priced at NT$3,200 (original price NT$5,280); the Ming Yuan Western Restaurant’s “Weekday Lunch/Dinner Buffet Combo Voucher” at NT$4,000 for five vouchers or NT$8,000 for ten vouchers (original prices NT$5,060 for five and NT$10,120 for ten, approximately 21% off or about 79% of original price).
Tigerair Taiwan Launches First Same-Day Flights from Taipei and Kaohsiung to Osaka; Kaohsiung City Gifts “Mayday” Souvenirs to Welcome Passengers
Tigerair Taiwan simultaneously launched two new routes—one from Taipei and one from Kaohsiung to Osaka—today (July 3). In addition to hosting an interactive photo event, the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau also prepared local souvenirs for passengers flying into Taiwan.
Sorry, not in the mood for joy!
The Baozhen Park dust explosion has left many young people still fighting for their lives in hospitals. Considering the current social atmosphere is not suitable for holding large-scale festive events, the New Taipei City Government regrets to announce that the 16th “New Taipei City Gongliao International Marine Music Festival,” originally scheduled to take place from July 24 to 26, 2015, will be canceled. This is the first time the event has been canceled since its inception.
60-year-old Taiwanese-style breakfast spot: fried rice topped with a half-cooked egg
After visiting Old Man’s Squid Soup earlier, I finally managed to wake up early again on this day. After checking my food bucket list for a while, I headed straight under Taipei Bridge to visit a 50- or 60-year-old veteran eatery: Zhu Ji Daqiaotou Fried Rice.
The giant pandas won’t sleep and will play with you tonight – Taipei Zoo’s Summer Starlight Tickets for just NT$30!
To celebrate summer vacation, Taipei Zoo will extend its opening hours to 9:00 PM every Saturday in July and August. Popular exhibits such as the Giant Panda House, Dinosaur Museum, and Koala House will also be open in the evening. Additionally, visitors who enter after 4:00 PM can enjoy discounted Starlight Tickets at just NT$30. The Education Center and the Safari Train are free to enter and ride starting from 4:30 PM.
31 Hotels in Taipei Offer Free Accommodation for Families of Victims in Dust Explosion Incident
As of July 2, 31 hotels in Taipei have voluntarily provided free accommodation for families of victims in the Formosa Fun Coast dust explosion incident. On July 3, Jaing Yu-yan, Director of Taipei City Government’s Tourism and Travel Department, expressed gratitude for the kind actions of these 31 hotels and urged affected families in need to make use of the offer nearby. The following is a list of the 31 hotels in Taipei (arranged by hospital districts):
Summer family trip: 8 globally adorable cartoon-themed rooms, 2 in Kaohsiung
With the arrival of scorching summer, besides planning summer camps for kids, many parents also hope to sneak in some parent-child travel time. When the weather’s hot, there’s fun to be had even indoors—staying in a themed hotel and making use of its facilities is one great way to beat the heat. The website whenonearth has rounded up 8 heartwarming cartoon-themed rooms that might just inspire your summer vacation plans this year—why not explore them?
Must-try Kyoto food: Huge fried spaghetti eel and prawn N< rice bowl that’s too big to fit
Kyoto has many delicious foods, such as the famous Arashiyama Hiroshige unagi don, which is on many people’s must-visit lists. On this trip to Kyoto, a friend introduced Jeff to a shop famous for its fried dishes called “Ten Shu,” and it’s best to go there at noon because the limited-time lunch set offers amazing value for money.