Travel
A myriad of white birds fly in from Siberia before your very eyes – Hokkaido’s No. 1 Swan Lake in Japan
To protect wetland ecosystems, the Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 by 18 countries, aiming to jointly conserve and sustainably utilize wetland environments through international cooperation. Among them, Utonai Lake in Hokkaido is Japan’s first wetland reserve registered under the Ramsar Convention. Every autumn and winter, flocks of swans migrating from Siberia gather here, earning Utonai Lake the reputation of being a “Swan Lake.”
High-Speed Rail Stations in Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin to Open in December — Full Guide to Shuttle Bus Services
The three new high-speed rail stations in Miaoli, Changhua, and Yunlin will officially open on December 1st. The construction of these new stations not only benefits the daily commuting and travel needs of local residents but also promotes the development of surrounding transportation infrastructure and the environment. To accommodate the opening of these HSR stations, the respective county governments have planned bus shuttle and express services as follows, aiming to provide more convenient transportation options for locals and travelers alike.
HowToTrip’s Front Street Coffee Taipei Branch Opens on December 1st – Skewered Fried Dishes Start at NT$20, Up to NT$70
The legendary Osaka Shinsekai-style skewered fried dish “Kushiage Daruma,” a must-try in Osaka, Japan, is set to officially open its Taipei branch on December 1st. Except for the flour, breadcrumbs, and dipping sauce, which are imported from Japan, all ingredients are sourced locally in Taiwan. As a result, prices in Taipei are almost comparable to those in Japan – the cheapest skewer starts at NT$20, most are around NT$30, and the most expensive, the eel skewer, is NT$70 per stick.
Rushing to beat the holiday rush? Up to 17 new premium restaurants opened in November
Do you feel that as the year draws to a close, newly opened restaurants suddenly seem to multiply, many of them from Japan and Korea? Think of spots like Korea’s Sinmapo Seagull Korean BBQ, Japan’s Kaneko Hannosuke, and the famous fried chicken wing chain Sekai no Yamachan. Especially with the opening of Breeze XinYi, several exclusive restaurants also launched, causing the number of new gourmet brand restaurants in November to surge to 17.
Top 5 Best Hotel Breakfasts in Japan 2015 – No. 1 Kobe Harborland Suite Hotel
Rakuten Travel announced the results of the "2015 Breakfast Grand Prix Top Showdown", with the Le Pan original baked bread from Kobe Harborland Suite Hotel in Hyogo Prefecture taking the championship. Judge Katsuhiko Kobe described it as a breakfast that would brighten your mood all day long.
Traveling in Hualien is so convenient now — the “Information Booths” make it easy to find fun things to do!
Traveling in Hualien has never been easier, and you no longer have to worry about not knowing where to play. The Hualien County Government has set up “Information Booths” at four locations: Qixingtan, the Cultural and Creative Industries Park, the Sugar Factory Scenic Area, and Dongmen Night Market. These booths, guided by the county government, are now all in operation. Aside from offering tourism consultations, visitors can also take part in a “Stamp Collection & Grand Prize Draw.”
Stay at Farglory Hotels & Resorts with MLB star Steve Finley up close and personal
Steve Finley, who has won the Gold Glove Award in the outfield five times as a member of the Rockies, is coming to Taiwan. He will be staying at Kaohsiung Farglory Hotel on December 4th and 5th. Fans can meet the MLB star in person—book your stay at Kaohsiung Farglory to receive an autographed ball and tickets, and experience the star's charm while you can.
Connects different countries across six continents Air China promotes new destinations for Taiwanese travelers
China International Airlines has completed its global route network to all six continents this year (2015). The new routes depart from Taiwan, with connections in mainland China, and fly to over 100 cities in Oceania, Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, reducing layovers and flight times.
The boss catches the fish himself on the day of serving—Hualien seafood restaurant serves up whatever’s freshly caught that day
This place was recommended to us by local friend ‘Jumping Otaku.’ Normally when visiting Hualien, people stick to the usual few snacks or cafés, and seafood stir-fry restaurants are rarely on the itinerary. But this time we were in a big group, so it was perfect for a seafood meal. Hualien is by the sea, so the seafood is definitely fresh and affordable, and ordering a set meal at a place like this is the best deal. Plus, with a local’s recommendation, Meipu Seafood Restaurant isn’t expensive and the portions are generous—definitely left us super satisfied. Gotta recommend it here for everyone’s reference...
Are there also mines in Taipei’s Xinyi District? The Hexing Mine takes you back in time.
Where do you think of when you hear "mine"? Most people probably first think of Jinguashi in Jiufen, but did you know that Taipei City actually has an ancient mine as well? After undergoing landscape renovation, it has taken on a new look while still retaining the atmosphere of a mining site—that’s the “Hexing Mine”!
Enjoy the quality of Japanese rice – layered donburi with salmon roe and abalone
Star Hoshi, an exclusive reservation-only Japanese kappo restaurant with a high threshold, has been on my radar for ages but I never managed to visit. Recently, after hearing a friend’s review, curiosity got the better of me. I picked an auspicious day and rounded up a group of like-minded friends. The table had a minimum spend of 40,000 NTD, originally intended to be split among eight people. Unexpectedly, the group filled up and then two more joined, but we stuck to the original budget of 5,000 NTD per person.
Japan’s Most Ridiculous Izakaya: Bid on a 5,000 Yen Sea Bream and Name Your Price
Aside from banquet restaurants and set-meal eateries, grabbing scallops or grilled fish at an izakaya along with a drink offers both a taste of local culture and distinctive seafood cuisine, while the relaxed atmosphere is the greatest charm of izakayas. Inside Sendai Night Market, there’s a uniquely styled izakaya that not only goes by the title “Japan’s Most Ridiculous Fish Market” but also features an exciting “bidding event” that draws a loyal following.
Super cool floating blue bed & fitness-equipped boutique hotel
HowToTrip Boutique Leisure Hotel is located in Linkou and is one of the premium hotels recommended by New Taipei City Government. With the upcoming opening of the Airport MRT Line, the Linkou New Town area has become increasingly vibrant. The advantage of staying in a hotel here is that prices are generally affordable while rooms offer generous space. Recently, the area gained a new Ambassador Theatre along with other chain stores moving in. If you’re looking for a short getaway not far from Taipei, Linkou makes a great choice.
115,000 more spots added: Tourism Bureau boosts domestic accommodation discounts
The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that the “Domestic Travel Accommodation Discount” subsidy campaign will add 115,000 more subsidy spots, with applications open until November 30. The public is welcome to visit the dedicated campaign website to apply and book accommodations. However, additional theme park coupons will not be offered at this time.
Absent for 19 years!
The “Silver Bullet” light rail car, absent for 19 years, made a grand return at Taipei Station on the morning of the 28th, attracting 400 railway enthusiasts who arrived early in the morning to ride it all the way to Kaohsiung and Taitung, reliving old memories.
Get pumped up for the surfing competition championship series in Malaysia—10 must-do events this December!
With December here, Malaysia gears up for the final month of festivities this year. A lineup of thrilling and adrenaline-fueled events unfolds: the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, the 8th Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship, the 4x4 Malaysia Rainforest International Challenge, the FISE World Extreme Sports Tour – Malaysia Stop, and the Cherating Bay International Surfing Invitational. These events offer excitement for thrill-seekers. Music and tranquility lovers can unwind at the Penang International Jazz Festival, while those who dread the cold might opt to spend a warm Christmas in Malaysia.
Knead, wrap, and smell — experience a brand-new tea museum through your senses
The Pinglin Tea Industry Museum reopened in early August. Located by the Beishi Stream in Pinglin District, it is a quadrangle-style building designed in the Southern Fujian Anxi architectural tradition. With a blend of old and new — including antique-style corridors, round doorways, and red brick roof tiles — the site exudes an old-world charm. The two-story tea museum features highlights such as the Experience Hall and the unique "Du Wo You Cha Tang" space. Visitors can also request a guided tour for a deeper experience.
Packed with bold flavors—the Barayaki beef pasta from Aomori, Japan!
The Japanese pronunciation of "亭" is "Tei." So when you see a restaurant named 《Spaghetei》—a blend of the Italian word "Spaghetti" and "Tei"—it's not hard to guess that this is a Japanese eatery specializing in pasta.
Love coffee and bread more than rice? Kyotoites are Japan’s biggest bread lovers!
We’ve already introduced the eating habits of Kyoto people through their love for ramen and dumplings, and we know they actually enjoy bold-flavored dishes. But there’s another eating habit worth highlighting. Contrary to the “traditional Japanese” image, Kyoto is actually one of the top bread-consuming regions in the country.
Just check in by yourself when you arrive—staff-free hotels in Germany are all the rage.
According to Lonely Planet, at this Munich-based Buddy Hotel, guests can book, check in, and check out without ever seeing hotel staff. Payment is simple too—you just use your phone to pay through the hotel’s cloud-based management platform.