The weather is gradually getting cooler—it’s the perfect time for hot pot ! Speaking of which, this time DaKou is taking you to a very special hot pot spot in Taipei’s Neihu area, located on Section 3 of Chenggong Road: “TuanYuan Premium Hot Pot.” What makes it special is that it offers super affordable live seafood, such as wild abalone for just NT$60 each, wild clams for NT$40 each, and Arctic surf clams for NT$30 each—yes, you read that right, such generous pricing ! In addition, the restaurant also serves Boston lobsters, live lobsters, large clams, king crabs, and Matsue clams, all freshly caught and still lively ! Aside from the fresh and affordably priced seafood, the beef here is all Prime grade, and the pork, lamb, and chicken thigh meat are also of high quality. And there are even freshly shaken drinks to enjoy. With such a premium hot pot experience, we simply had to introduce it to you !
In December, the Christmas month, Kaohsiung Harbor Transport Corporation’s “Sightseeing Cruise · Sea Feast” launches the “Joyful Christmas · Romantic Harbor Tour” promotional package. From now until December 31st, anyone whose Republic of China birth date includes the “Christmas digits 1, 2, or 5” can enjoy a special discounted full fare of NT$595 (15% off the original price). Additionally, on December 24th, Christmas Eve, passengers aboard the dining cruise who are dressed in red or green will receive a complimentary set of exquisite harbor-themed postcards.
Skewers have become a popular dinner and late-night dining option in recent years. There's nothing quite like sipping beer, chatting, and munching on grilled goodness. But walking into an izakaya often means facing steep prices that make you overly cautious about ordering, afraid of busting your budget and ending up with instant noodles the next day. However, at 【Qi Skewer House】 on Chang’an East Road in Taipei, you'll find surprisingly reasonable prices that don’t feel like your typical Taipei eatery.
Krathongs float slowly along the water, carrying everyone’s wishes downstream, while couples by the river are filled with sweetness. The Loy Krathong Festival is also known as Thailand’s Valentine’s Day. Locals joke that if a man doesn’t take his girlfriend to the Loy Krathong Festival, it could spark a family revolution. Along the way, many foreign tourists can also be seen making a pilgrimage, buying krathongs on the street to release them and pray for smooth and happy love lives.
Starting Dec. 7, EVA Air’s Hello Kitty livery aircraft will adjust its flight routes, no longer serving Sapporo and Hong Kong, and instead flying to Osaka, [City names adjusted], [Further cities adjusted]. The airline continues its charm offensive with the Hello Kitty-themed planes. Recently, a photo showing a double rainbow appearing in front of the Hello Kitty Magic Jet went viral, with many fans praising its beauty and wishing EVA Air continued success, interpreting the double rainbow as a good omen.
The “Jialan Skywalk” in Jinfeng Township, Taitung, built along the mountainside, was only just opened in November. It not only makes travel more convenient for local residents but also connects to the village’s cycling loop, becoming a new local attraction. However, occasional landslides from the mountainside have prompted the Jinfeng Township Office to suspend access from December 10, 2015 to January 9, 2016, for public safety.
In Taiwan’s premium steak market, which has entered a fiercely competitive era, Taipei’s The Peninsula A CUT STEAKHOUSE has imported purebred Wagyu from Robbins Island in Tasmania, Australia. This Wagyu belongs to the Tajima lineage, specifically the Dawsford strain, and is naturally raised in unpolluted pastureland. Starting Dec. 9, A CUT STEAKHOUSE will offer wet-aged 35–45 day ribeye steaks and bone-in short ribs. From January 2016 onward, dry-aged 40–45 day bone-in ribeye steaks will also be available.
The whole of Taiwan is caught up in the Christmas spirit, and Hsinchu is no exception. Christmas is an exciting and highly anticipated event. You don’t have to travel all the way to New Taipei’s Christmasland to see a Christmas tree — there are six great spots right here in Hsinchu where you can admire beautiful festive trees. Locals, come snap photos with these lovely Christmas trees and soak in the warm holiday atmosphere.
As the weather gets colder, traveling to warm Bangkok in Thailand is definitely a great choice. Aside from considerations of distance and cost, Thailand’s seasonal changes are also very different from those in Taiwan. Plus, November to February is Thailand’s “cool season,” with pleasant weather that’s perfect for exploring the area and sampling delicious food.
The Bayan wild hot springs in Yangmingshan are located in the Bayan area of Zhonghe Village, Jinshan District, New Taipei City. The geology of the region is influenced by the Datun Volcano Group, featuring numerous sulfur vents and natural hot spring outlets formed by volcanic activity. The surrounding creeks are dotted with white andesite rocks turned that color due to sulfur gases and geothermal waters — a truly unique landscape. Because of this, many visitors venture into the wild creeks on their own to dig out hot spring outlets and pile up rocks to create makeshift hot pools, seeking to enjoy the distinctive natural scenery of these wild springs.
The hottest Japanese souvenir this year has to be the “face-changing masks” that let you transform in an instant. Despite their higher per-unit price, they continue to attract travelers in droves. The trendsetter behind these masks, Isshin-dō Honpo, is back with a new line of character-themed face-changing masks — including Doraemon and Chibi Maruko-chan — featuring a total of six designs, now available starting December 11!
Wulai, blessed with abundant water sources and stunning scenery, has seen booming development in indigenous culture and hot spring tourism in recent years. Though the Soudelor typhoon once caused severe damage to the area, thanks to concerted efforts by the government, local communities, and residents, the region is gradually recovering. Now, visitors to Wulai can not only enjoy its breathtaking waterfalls but also explore four unique experiences that are well worth the trip.
Peach Aviation has announced that starting at 14:00 on December 15, it will begin selling tickets for its 2016 summer schedule, allowing travelers planning a trip to Japan to arrange their itineraries in advance. Peach Aviation noted that visitors can enjoy Japan’s spring cherry blossoms, summer hydrangeas, relax on Okinawa beaches, or take part in various local festivals.
Whether on Instagram or online... I’d been drawn to this place, ‘Bamboo Court Refined Hot Pot,’ for ages—no exaggeration, it was totally because of the abundance of seafood here~ But this ‘Bamboo Court Refined Hot Pot’ is notoriously hard to book! Only when we came did we realize the seating isn’t actually that plentiful. We deliberately picked a time around four in the afternoon... and still had to wait about 20 minutes XD It’s starting to feel like winter is coming...
As 2016 approaches, have you decided how to greet the first light of the new year? Located in the mountainous area of Erliao in Zuozhen, Tainan, it is the place closest to an urban area in Taiwan to welcome the sunrise, and has become a popular spot for the tradition in recent years. The Siraya National Scenic Area Administration also announced the details of its sunrise event, which, just like last year, will impose a 3,000-person limit and require tickets for both entry and shuttle bus access.
Traveling in Chiayi just got easier. To promote the concept of “green transportation,” the Chiayi City Government launched its E-Bike (public electric bicycle) rental system starting the 20th. There are currently 11 rental stations, allowing users to pick up a bike at one location and return it to another. Chiayi Mayor Tu Shing-che said each station also serves as a battery-swapping station, eliminating charging wait times—quicker than refueling—and making it more convenient for visitors to explore Chiayi City.
Invited by EVA Air, internationally renowned dancer Cheng Fang-yi, known as the “heir to Martha Graham,” served as the spokesperson for the Star Alliance. In the advertisement, she gracefully presented the concept of an aerial flight network through her signature dance moves and physical expressions. Having performed on stages in major cities around the world for many years, Cheng Fang-yi said, “EVA Air has always been with me in chasing my dreams.”
While most people associate Macau with casinos and a luxurious nightlife, gaming aside, tourism revenue is also a major source of tax income for the Macau government. This vibrant Macau Cultural Tour is jointly organized by the Macau Government Tourism Office, the Information Bureau, and China News Service. It takes readers on an intensive exploration of all the officially recommended attractions, covering everything in just two days—including both mountain and seaside sites. The old streets of Macau are very narrow, and parking along the main roads is not allowed. Our private car had to park far away, and we had to call for it again after the tour. All this is to remind you to wear comfortable casual shoes for exploring Macau. The uneven cobblestone floors may be beautiful, but they can be tiring to walk on for long periods. I’ve compiled my personal favorite highlights of Macau travel. These past few days have been filled with temple visits and church tours. Macau is a city where Chinese and Portuguese cultures blend, and old and new elements intertwine. The European-style architecture and ancient city pathways offer a uniquely atmospheric experience.
Starting December 2015, Taiwan will dive into an Outlet battle royale. One outlet mall after another will open across the island, each with its own unique features and buzz. Here’s a rundown of three upcoming outlet malls in Taiwan—not only featuring brands that will be making their Taiwan Outlet debut but also including Asia’s second-largest Ferris wheel, which will be making its home in Taiwan.
The world is moving faster and faster, and you often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of work, as if you can’t keep up with the pace of technological advancement. Shouldn't you take a trip to Banyan Tree Ungasan? Covering 780 square kilometers, this resort boasts a small population density, offering an extremely high level of privacy. If you crave a place that provides both serenity and nature, then Banyan Tree Ungasan will be your top choice!