Travel
Girl power unleashed: Seoul’s Hello Kitty-themed café
Have you been to this Hello Kitty Café in Hongdae? I’ve visited the one in Samcheong-dong before, which I also introduced (though it moved once), but this is their newest location now. I think it’s even prettier than before, with more spacious interiors and a little courtyard—so lovely.
Both the Forest Railway and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle are available for rides here – limited edition one-day passes to Alishan’s Fenqihu are now on sale!
The Alishan Forest Railway is a must-ride train when visiting Alishan. Now, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration has combined two classic modes of transport — Taiwan Tourist Shuttle and the Forest Railway — to launch a limited edition set of 300 one-day ticket packages titled “Fenqihu Nostalgic Light Travel,” now on sale to let travelers explore Alishan to the fullest!
Massive portion the size of a fist — crafted from thick tamagoyaki, Kyoto’s legendary egg sandwich
Cafe Madrague is a recently popular café in Kyoto. Though it's newly opened, it carries a sense of long-standing history. Huh? Why would I say that? Well, let me explain in detail...
Taiwan passport is so powerful again—5 more visa-free countries added, total now 153
Five more countries have been added to Taiwan’s visa-free (or visa-on-arrival) list. On the 7th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Liberia, and Djibouti are now accessible to Taiwanese travelers via visa on arrival, while Gabon has opened its doors to Taiwanese visitors through electronic visas. As a result, the total number of countries and territories where Taiwanese can travel without a visa (or with visa on arrival) has increased from 148 to 153.
Abandoned Buses Get a Makeover: Taipei’s Landscape Public Art Festival Kicks Off
You may have heard of installation art, but what about landscape art? Unlike past events that passively waited for public participation with limited interactivity, the “Taipei, Watch!: 2015 Taipei Landscape Public Art Festival,” hosted by the Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, officially launched on October 7. Additionally, in collaboration with Green Light Theater and the No. 235 bus, a specially designed “Mobile Theater Museum” bus was created to take citizens on a journey through Taipei to explore landscape art.
8 "Happy Farming Light Travel" online registrations available – experience tea tasting and handmade tofu
As autumn approaches and the weather turns cool, it's the perfect time to head outdoors for a light travel experience. New Taipei City’s Tourism Bureau has launched 8 “Happy Farming Light Travel” programs, featuring special itineraries planned by eight districts—Shiding, Pinglin, Sanzhi, Shimen, Shuanghe, Gongliao, and Shuangxi. These include activities such as tea picking, handmade tofu making, strolling through old streets, and enjoying rural charm.
Rolling your eyes so hard they nearly touch the back of your head—20 things that’ll instantly piss off people from Kaohsiung
Following the trend of identifying phrases that annoy people from different cities and counties, a new survey has popped up on Facebook (Kaohsiung Food Map) titled “Kaohsiung People—What Are the Questions Outsiders Always Ask You?” Examples include questions locals hate being asked, such as “Do you have to speak Taiwanese in Kaohsiung?” or “Can you do the Kaohsiung-style left turn?” and “Aren’t people from Kaohsiung all really dark?” The post reflects the sentiments of Kaohsiung residents and has sparked a flurry of discussion among netizens.
Transporting National Day holiday travelers home: High-Speed Rail adds fully non-reserved seats trains on the 8th
With the National Day holiday approaching, Taiwan High-Speed Rail announced that to accommodate the surge in travelers, it will add one fully non-reserved seat train (excluding business class) making all stops southbound on the evening of the 8th and another on the morning of the 9th.
My First Work Exchange Experience: Days at the American-Style Bar and Restaurant Mr. HOT DOG
Looking back on my time at Mr. HOT DOG, an American-style bar and restaurant — this was my first work exchange experience. At that time, I had never been to Green Island before either. Because of this exchange opportunity, I formed an unexpectedly deep and inseparable bond with the island, one I hadn’t even imagined back then.
Man Kee Wonton Noodle Shop sells over a thousand bowls a day — makes its first appearance in the Michelin Guide’s Hong Kong street food selection
The Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2018 was released today (11/30). This edition includes a total of 227 restaurants in Hong Kong and 65 in Macau, among which are 21 street food vendors. Three of these street food spots are making their first appearance on the list: Fork Eat, I Love You Dessert Bar, and the always crowded Sham Shui Po’s Man Kee Wonton Noodle Shop.
Japan’s “Don’t Stick Chopsticks in Rice” – Ultimate Table Manners Guide for 10 Countries
When traveling abroad, you might often feel confused during meals. Aside from being a bit awkward with different utensils, the new environment may also make you wonder if you’re behaving properly. The UK’s Daily Mail compiled a “Table Manners Around the World,” presented in chart form, helping travelers understand local customs—from places like Paris, Tokyo, and Mexico City. This etiquette guide will help you avoid any faux pas.
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside — golden, crunchy fresh milk doughnuts
Doughnuts are a type of sweet treat that almost everyone has tried. Taiwan even experienced a doughnut craze not too long ago. Compared to the modern, creatively shaped varieties, the classic version — crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in powdered sugar — offers a nostalgic charm all its own.
Affordable Yunnan cuisine in Yonghe: boneless spicy chicken and larb chicken rice
The thick-sliced pork was indeed generous—compared to the famous Chun Lemon in Nanshi Corner, it had more pork skin and slightly thicker slices. The seasoning was primarily garlic paste, with sour-spicy as a secondary note. Surprisingly, the spicy chicken came boneless, with a subtle numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns as you chewed. The larb chicken rice came with well-cooked white rice that suited my taste. The larb aroma wasn’t strong, but the chicken was more tender and flavorful than expected. After all, it’s an affordable home-style snack, so don’t expect too much refinement.
Kaohsiung’s Formosa Boulevard Station is more than just the Dome of Light — the “Mini Louvre” makes its dazzling debut
For this special occasion, Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation has gone the extra mile by drawing inspiration from the artistic concept of the glass pyramid at the Louvre in France. They’ve installed golden lighting fixtures at the glass curtain wall entrances of Exits 1 and 3, creating a warm ambiance that connects seamlessly with the Dome of Light to form an integrated art installation. This move has once again made Formosa Boulevard Station a popular wedding photo location.
Must-try Queued Desserts in Osaka: Classic Half-Baked Cheesecake with Rich, Blissful Flavor
Namba in Osaka is an amazing place to explore, with plenty of nearby photo-worthy attractions. But after a long day of walking, your feet will likely get sore, and you'll want to find a cozy spot to enjoy some drinks and desserts. That’s when PABLO’s half-baked cheesecake became our top pick. Even before visiting Kansai, we had heard so much about this famous cheesecake and were eager to give it a try~
Experience mobile aesthetics: A journey on Kyushu’s 3 top sightseeing trains
Japan has always been a favorite travel destination for Taiwanese, and Kyushu—with its mild climate, warm hospitality, just a 2-hour flight, and an airport right next to the city—is even more beloved. With its highly developed railway system, Kyushu’s uniquely themed sightseeing trains are a must-do for visitors.
Spring Trip to Hualien: Tropic of Cancer Passes Through Police Station, Becoming a Hot Check-in Spot
The Chunri Police Station is located on Provincial Highway 193 in the Chunri Tribe of Yuli Township, Hualien, which is also home to the Zhiruo Tribe. On the ground in front of the police station lies the Tropic of Cancer line, which runs perfectly through the center of the station and neatly divides the entire Zhiruo Tribe village. Chen Ching-lian, the head of Chunri Village, explained that above the entrance of the police station there is a sun symbol, which is a tattoo of the Amis people representing the rising sun. The T-shaped mark on the ground in front of the gate signifies that half of the area is tropical and the other half subtropical.
A blend of design, culture, and dining—this low-key hidden apartment café
Near National Taiwan University, Taipei Metro Gongguan Station, and Taipower Building Station, if you’re looking to have a meal and coffee with your besties, Pingzi recommends this very discreet AGCT Apartment. This hidden gem of an apartment café is a multifunctional design space where you can browse designer fashion and lifestyle/cultural merchandise, enjoy sandwiches and coffee, and gaze out from the second floor at the lovely scenery—a perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon.
Can babies born on a plane get free flights for life? China Airlines responds
On the 7th, a China Airlines flight from Taipei to Los Angeles experienced an incident about six hours after takeoff when a pregnant passenger, traveling alone and under 32 weeks gestation, had her water break. The cabin crew immediately made an announcement requesting medical assistance from any doctors on board. Considering the safety of the mother and baby, the decision was made to divert to Anchorage Airport in Alaska, where both were taken to a local hospital. Both mother and daughter are safe.
Shaped Like Animals? A Look at 5 Cute Small Islands Around the World
Could there really be islands shaped like fish, seahorses, and other animals? With countless islands scattered across the globe, many small isles stand out due to their unique shapes—nature’s craftsmanship is truly breathtaking. HowToTrip takes you on a tour of these 5 quirky and adorable animal-shaped islands below!