Travel
The Crystal Palace Ballroom reopens on October 21: the teppanyaki and seafood sections alone are worth the price of admission
After a brief closure, the popular buffet restaurant Ballroom at the Regent Taipei has finally reopened on October 21. The newly revamped space offers a completely refreshed dining experience. In addition to redesigned food stations categorized by cooking methods—such as simmering, steaming, braising, stir-frying, grilling, teppanyaki, and seafood—the restaurant has also introduced a gourmet platform concept, showcasing signature dishes from 15 Regent restaurants within the Ballroom.
No-menu Japanese cuisine in Taichung? Hokkaido rose crabs with legs bigger than your hand!
I already have a list of restaurants I love to revisit again and again, just like this one — ‘Hon Sushi’~ I’m a total seafood lover, but I’ve always been cautious about sashimi. The last time I tried their no-menu course, I fell in love instantly. Plus, they have dedicated parking, the atmosphere of the restaurant is great, and you can slowly enjoy the leisurely details of a no-menu dining experience. So it went straight into my pocket list as a must-recommend spot.
Travel Expo Battles Begin with 70% Off – 5-Star Hotels Offer Accommodation Vouchers Saving Up to NT$13,000
The 2015 Taipei International Travel Fair will be held from November 6 to 9 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 3, but the battle has already begun even before the event kicks off. Major hotels and inns are rolling out promotions, such as Grand Hyatt offering a whopping 66% discount (saving over NT$13,000) on premium accommodation vouchers. Additionally, an online travel fair is launching early – now’s the time to snag great deals and bargains!
Surge in inbound tourists prompts Japan Tourism Agency to consider electronic tax exemption procedures
Since 2014, when tax exemption criteria were relaxed, and from 2015 onward, with the Japanese yen continuing to weaken, the number of travelers visiting Japan has doubled. In response to the increasing number of foreign visitors, the Japan Tourism Agency is now considering digitizing the tax exemption process to save time for both travelers and retailers.
Singapore Airlines' New A350 Aircraft Makes Its Debut – Amsterdam Route to Be Served Starting April Next Year
Singapore Airlines announced that its latest generation Airbus A350-900 aircraft will make Amsterdam its first destination, with flights between Singapore and Amsterdam to be operated by the A350 starting in April 2016.
The world’s cheapest Michelin one-star restaurant – Must-try four Hong Kong dim sum staples
Crispy roast pork buns from Hong Kong’s Tim Ho Wan feature a flaky exterior and a savory-sweet filling, an intriguing contrast that’s truly unique. It was also my first time trying such an unusual dim sum.
The ticket machines on Kaohsiung’s light rail do not accept cash bills — no change or EasyCard? You can’t ride!
Taiwan’s first-ever light rail line has been in trial operation since the 16th. Besides the highly anticipated free trial rides, traffic conditions around the line after its official opening have also drawn much attention. On the 19th, a derailment incident involving a light rail car sparked even more discussion. Kaohsiung City Councilor Ho Chuan-feng raised the issue in the council that
Barcelona has the highest rate of mobile phone thefts in the world！A "720,000 NTD bill" shocks travelers
Taiwanese people especially love to vacation in Southern Europe. The travel website Lonely Planet recently reported that among Spanish cities, Barcelona has the highest rate of mobile phone thefts — possibly due in part to its many tourists.
That year, I went to an outlying island for a work-exchange stay. The most poetic working environment — Kinmen
Coming to Kinmen, if you don’t spend at least one night in a traditional Hokkien house or colonial-style homestay, then you’ve really come for nothing. The best way to understand a place’s local customs and culture is to chat with the locals. And also, staying in a building full of local history — a place where even the air is filled with stories.
The 2015 Top 5 Best Hot Springs List Announced – Lihpao Resort Beitou Takes the Top Spot
The 2015 Top 5 Best Hot Springs List, a selection of 12 highly recommended hot springs across Taiwan promoted for the autumn season by a well-known magazine, has been released, with Lihpao Resort Beitou taking first place. Thanks to its convenient location (near a metro station and being the highest point in Beitou with access to the first spring source), Lihpao Resort Beitou won favor among netizens. Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Lake Hotel and The Lalu in Nantou also secured second and third places respectively, thanks to their hot spring environments that offer stunning views of Sun Moon Lake.
PappaRich Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A9 Store Opens on October 21, Adds 8 New Shareable Dishes
The Malaysian dining brand PappaRich, represented by Yummy Enterprise International, saw its first city branch open in May and quickly gain popularity. It has become a go-to spot for many Malaysians abroad craving a taste of home. Five months later, PappaRich’s second location — the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi A9 Store — officially opened on October 21.
Even Disney isn't safe from the curse? 7 Japanese tourist spots rumored to break up couples
Many attractions in Taiwan have legends about being “forbidden places for couples,” and it’s no coincidence that Japan also has many well-known tourist spots with similar rumors. Among them are even popular destinations loved by Taiwanese travelers. Below are 7 Japanese tourist spots rumored to cause couples who visit to break up. While there’s no concrete data, many people still prefer to err on the side of caution.
A "mini-camping" experience for parent-child duos with little ones, even in central Taipei
In recent years, parent-child camping has become very popular. But taking preschool-aged children out to experience camping can be quite a challenge for parents. That’s why the family restaurant “Mr. Tree” and the sports brand “Decathlon” have jointly launched an activity tailored for kids aged 0 to 6. Set in the urban center of Da’an District, it makes use of outdoor space to offer young children the joy of a “mini-camping” adventure.
The only Chinese province with 8 types of landforms Soak in hot springs and ski in Hebei this winter
The 5th Hebei Cultural & Economic Cooperation Week in Taiwan was held from October 20 to 26. Zhang Jiehui, Vice Governor of the Hebei Provincial Government, also led a delegation to Taiwan to engage with local industry players on topics such as economy, culture, and tourism.
Taiwan’s First American-Style Open-Air Shopping Mall Holds Joint Job Fair on the 30th
Taiwan’s first American-style open-air shopping mall—Hwatai Premium Outlets—held a large-scale job fair in Taoyuan on the 30th, marking the first OUTLET launched by Hwatai Hotels & Resorts Group as it ventures into the department store business.
Spicy hotpot served until 3 AM midnight, plus stir-fried dishes, barbecue, and lamb pot!
It’s autumn and winter again, making nourishing food choices especially important. Recently, Pingzi discovered a delicious and creative spot near the intersection of Jilin Road and Jinzhou Street — Nanning Zhai Refined Spicy Hotpot. This place specializes in spicy hotpot paired with stir-fried dishes, offering a full flavor experience: hotpot, stir-fry, lamb pot, and barbecue all in one go. The ingredients are fresh, and Pingzi highly recommends the great-value 1280 NTD seafood platter, which also includes Matsusaka pork and American boneless beef.
Men’s Kitchen Home Cooking: Stir-Fry “Scallion-Garlic Shredded Pork” in Just 10 Minutes, Served Hot!
Office workers often don’t have time to cook, but actually many dishes can be prepared very quickly. Scallion-Garlic Shredded Pork is one of them—learn how to make it now, so even if you just get home from work, you can still enjoy a hot meal in no time.
Another new tourist attraction? The "Imperial Post Office" boasts five-star decor and a backyard garden
Have you ever seen a post office like this? Its bright design and comfortable seating make it feel like a five-star interior. The Taipei 24th Branch on Ren'ai Road cost nearly NT$10 million to renovate and has been dubbed the "Imperial Post Office." On the 21st, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Jianyu responded in the Legislative Yuan, stating that the Imperial Post Office serves as a model for renovating old post offices, and reminded Chunghwa Post to prioritize comfort and convenience over excessive luxury.
Jetstar launches flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya on November 27 — Return tickets free!
Citing strong potential in Taiwan-Japan travel exchanges, Jetstar Japan officially announced today (October 21) that it will launch three new routes to Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, and Nagoya starting November 27. To celebrate the new routes, Jetstar is also offering a “Buy One Way, Get Return Free” promotion.
Top 6 Maple Viewing Spots in Northern Taiwan – Yangmingshan & Aowanda Feel Like a Castle Wonderland
Autumn is when maple leaves start to turn red, and the cool weather is perfect for going out. The top 6 maple viewing spots in northern Taiwan are perfect for a visit—this romantic and serene autumn shouldn’t be spent at home. Get your bags ready and hit the road now！