Taiwan’s most internationally recognized cuisines have once again been highlighted—recently, CNN selected 40 must-try Taiwanese street foods, over 20 of which can be enjoyed right at Taiwan’s gateway, Taoyuan International Airport.
Suddenly craving red braised pork, I deliberately picked a weekend day and got out of bed early to head to Section 2, Yanping North Road. For me, that was an unusually early start, but by the time I arrived, it was already past eleven. Tai Ping Market was bustling with noise and excitement, but luckily it wasn’t far—Ah Jiao’s stall was right at the alley entrance.
The “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is a must-visit area when you go to Universal Studios Japan, and most visitors come here specifically for this imaginative magical zone.
The largest travel fair of 2015 is set to take place from November 6th to 9th; major domestic hotels and tourism operators are rolling out exceptional accommodation and dining deals. Uni Resort will make its debut at this year’s ITF Taipei International Travel Fair by launching an unbeatable value “eight-for-one” joint meal voucher with multiple options. Aside from being budget-friendly at just NT$350 per voucher, the vouchers offer selections across five locations statewide, allowing customers to choose one of eight options based on their travel plans and region.
The 2015 Taipei International Travel Fair (ITF) will take place on November 6th ! The Malaysia Tourism Board has specially invited 15 participants from Malaysian state tourism bureaus, hotels, theme parks, and travel agencies to join in the event, curating attractive travel packages themed “Charm of Asia.” The biggest promotion includes 5-day trips starting from just NT$12,999 , taking you to visit three of Malaysia’s most popular online destinations.
Breeze XinYi is set to grandly open on November 5th, with its various brands emphasizing uniqueness in Taiwan, in the Xinyi District, and within the Breeze group. Taking restaurants as an example, among the over ten dining establishments set to open, eight will be the first of their kind in Taiwan. The types of restaurants range from Chinese cuisine, steakhouses, Japanese eateries, to Hong Kong-style dim sum and dessert shops—clearly aiming to capture the Xinyi District’s gourmet market.
The astonishing growth rate of homestays in Kenting’s tourist area is beyond description—more than just mushrooming rapidly. From 2011 to 2014 alone, in just three short years, the number of homestays skyrocketed from over 600 to breaking 1,000. It’s easy to imagine that the greatest demand for work-for-accommodation in Kenting comes from homestays—and almost exclusively so.
Yuka Aoki, who loves Taiwan, has been frequenting Dadaocheng, this old district with its quaint atmosphere, for over a decade. She often dropped by to visit friends and get to know locals. Known for always writing stories for others, she has now opened her own little shop within Dadaocheng, becoming part of the old city’s narrative.
This simple noodle shop on Jilin Road, Old K has known about for quite some time, so he headed there as soon as the weather started to cool down. One thing Old K really loves about this place is their super long operating hours — you can eat here from almost noon until midnight, and it’s been around for nearly fifty years too.
The “2015 Tainan Clear-Blanched Beef Festival” officially begins in November ! The first to launch is the Tainan Clear-Blanched Beef Food Tour from October 31 to November 29 , led by food enthusiasts who will take the public on a culinary journey through Tainan . In addition to teaching people how to enjoy the freshest and most authentic clear - blanched beef, the tour also offers a chance to explore Tainan’s local food culture !
Saline smoke is a unique weather phenomenon in Penghu. Naming the shop “Saline Smoke” reflects the nostalgia of the people of Penghu for their hometown. If you are a loyal reader of Shadows, you may recall that a few months ago we introduced Saline Smoke Penghu Seafood Stir-Fry Restaurant. At that time, the seafood congee at the shop was very popular, and now this hearty, ingredient-packed seafood congee can also be enjoyed in northern Kaohsiung. The shop has opened a new seafood congee specialty store to satisfy all those who love this dish.
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? This poetic autumn is the perfect time to experience a relaxing mountain light trip. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Urban Development provides a half-day itinerary for visitors to explore the Beitou Hushan community, discover serene old houses, and enjoy the moving sight of the sunset sinking behind the mountains.
The Zhujing Museum of Art is hosting a farewell night this evening (the 31st), inviting the public to attend for free!It will be closed for three months starting November 2nd for space renovation and artwork restoration, and will reopen with a brand-new look on February 8, 2016 (Lunar New Year's Day).
Chanthaburi Province, Thailand’s major gem-producing region, is home to the majestic and exquisitely detailed century-old Catholic church—Mary Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Chanthaburi. Just a bridge away from Chanthaburi’s Old Street, one could easily spend an entire afternoon here, lost in the beauty of its long history and quaint, vintage charm.
That day, while having lunch at Wanfang Café, I passed by the area near Nanjing Sanmin Station and noticed that a Yayoi Kitchen was about to open nearby. So I suggested to a friend who works in the area that once it opens, we could meet up to enjoy some tasty Japanese set meals. A few days later, my friend sent me a photo—the Yayoi Kitchen had opened on October 22nd—so we set a date for a lunch meetup.
In Taiwan, bread is one of the most common and popular everyday foods. Because it's so convenient to carry, locals often enjoy it for breakfast or as a snack. Bakeries can easily be found on every street corner across the island. According to a survey by Daily View on online reputation and popularity, the top ten most beloved bakeries in the eyes of netizens are led by the renowned Wu Pao-chun Bakery, which took first place.
Autumn is the season for maple appreciation, but in Taiwan, besides maple leaves, the golden hues of tamarisks shifting from green to yellow also create a vibrant autumnal red ambiance. "ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud" has handpicked eleven tamarisk viewing spots across Taiwan. Friends on the cloud, go experience the crisp, refreshing autumn air now.
Hayao Miyazaki’s animations hold cherished memories for many, and among them, Totoro is an iconic character with immense popularity due to his adorable appearance. While he originally appeared in animated films, now you can spot him right in cafés too. OpenRice recently rounded up five Totoro-themed afternoon tea spots that showcase the lovable character in various charming ways. Totoro fans, get your wallets ready!
In recent years, Toyama City in Japan’s Hokuriku region has become a popular new travel destination for many Taiwanese tourists. Aside from the famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, there’s another newly acclaimed spot not far from Toyama Station on the shinkansen. Nestled within the city, Toyama Glass Art Museum may look like an architecturally stunning building from the outside, but inside lies an astonishing “hidden facility” that has left many netizens calling it a must-visit in a lifetime.
This year marks Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence, with a series of celebrations continuing non-stop. The “Singapore Invites” campaign, organized by the Singapore Tourism Board, is now calling on netizens around the world to visit the official campaign website to make a wish. By nominating friends or family to join you and writing down what you’d like to do in Singapore, you could win a free trip to Singapore—with the tourism board helping to make your dream come true.