Travel
Afternoon Tea Upgraded Again: Unlimited American Prime Dice Beef
Following the June 2023 afternoon tea upgrade that introduced daily fresh seafood deliveries from Penghu such as sea urchins, oysters, and humphead snapper, The Cloud Lounge at The Regent Taipei will further enhance its weekend and weekday afternoon tea offerings starting January 1, 2016. The new addition features unlimited, made-to-order American Prime flame-grilled snowflake dice beef, served alongside a variety of buffet-style dishes. The price is NT$1,080 per person plus 10% service charge.
Don’t get stuck on the road tonight—the traffic control plans for Dream Mall and E-DA World’s New Year’s Eve events are out!
Have you figured out how you’ll ring in 2016? But no matter where you go, be sure to pay attention to traffic controls. The traffic bureau has released the traffic management details for Kaohsiung’s E-DA World and Dream Mall—everyone should take note to avoid being stranded on the roads on New Year’s Eve.
Aerial night view of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum: the Yuanbao Exhibition Hall reflects on the water surface like a luminous pearl at night
After years of preparation and construction, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (also known as the Southern Palace Museum) officially began trial operations on December 28, with a “Main Hall Lighting Ceremony and Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan Night” event held on the evening of December 27. Chiayi County Magistrate Chang Hua-kuan also shared an aerial video of the lighting ceremony on her Facebook fan page, “Magistrate Chang Hua-kuan (Little Flower).” The public can enjoy the scenery of the Southern Palace Museum from unique perspectives.
New American Restaurant Opens: Limited-Time Q Baked Boston Lobster That Stretches
It seems like the number of gatherings in December hasn’t decreased... Truly a joyful month perfect for parties and dates XD Recently, a TC KITCHEN opened in northern Kaohsiung—it’s actually a branch of TEN COWS BBQ！
A Warm Current in the Cold Winter: Cupid’s Arrows Fill Bitan with Love
Recently, the Gaoxiong Management Office set up interactive love-themed public art installations in Bitan, centered around the area’s iconic swan boats and featuring Cupid, the symbol of love, aiming to enhance interaction and fun among people.
Angel halos and colorful Christmas trees reflected on the water—A must-visit Christmas lights festival for a date at Cheonggyecheon
Cheonggyecheon, a place many visitors to Korea flock to, is one of the most popular dating spots for Korean couples. Starting December 12 this year, Cheonggyecheon also hosted its first-ever Seoul Christmas Festival, adding even more charm to its romantic nights.
2000-meter-high New Year’s Eve party—the highest in Taiwan!“Starry Sky EDM Snow Party” at Qingjing, Nantou
Taiwan’s highest New Year’s Eve celebration is at Qingjing！The Nantou Qingjing New Year’s Eve party kicks off at 3 PM on December 31 at the Uni-President Qingjing Mall with the “Starry Sky EDM Snow Party.” Performers including the Northern Plains Tribe Cats, B1 Band, and rising indigenous artist Wu Yiwei will ring in the New Year with the public. As the countdown nears, snow machines will blanket the sky with flakes.
Can you find Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo’s favorite dishes in a theme park? Don’t miss the three-day braised Dongpo Pork Ribs
Located in Taoyuan, HowToTrip’s Little People Kingdom has long been a familiar theme park to Taiwanese visitors. Thanks to Taoyuan’s rich cultural background related to the Chiangs, the park has officially opened the “Chiang’s Banquet” restaurant within the grounds. Led by a former personal chef to the Chiangs, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes paired with traditional Chinese calligraphy and porcelain themes, providing visitors with a new experience where culture meets gourmet cuisine.
Kyoto’s Hottest Spot: Butcher-Run BBQ Joint Serves Certified Wagyu
Eating Japanese BBQ has long been a must-do for many travelers, and one Kyoto BBQ spot run by an old-school butcher shop is especially popular. Known for its fresh meat and cuts from various parts of the cow, the highlight is the accompanying beef certification. The place gets packed during meal times, making it one of Kyoto’s most sought-after BBQ restaurants.
Ring in the New Year in nature! 18 elementary schools in Hualien open for camping, 4 of them free
The Hualien County Government announced that during the 2016 Spring Festival holiday, 18 schools will be opened as camping sites, with 4 of them available free of charge. Registration is now open, allowing travelers to get closer to nature and experience a unique stay.
Follow A-Mei on her Bangkok tour — China Airlines offers flight + hotel packages with concert tickets included
China Airlines has partnered with diva A-Mei (張惠妹) to launch an exclusive travel package for the 2016 “A-Mei Utopia World Tour Special LIVE in Bangkok” concert. The package includes round-trip flights from Taoyuan or Kaohsiung to Bangkok, airport transfers, MRT tickets, hotel accommodation, concert tickets, and exclusive China Airlines souvenirs — all to party with A-Mei in style.
Golden pineapple filling made with Taiwan No. 2 pineapples — Ike Coffee’s champion Taiwanese-style pineapple cakes paired with organic German floral tea are an absolute delight
When it comes to Taiwan’s most iconic dessert, many people immediately think of the “pineapple cake.” This small golden square has a yellow, shiny crust and a slightly sticky filling. With one bite, the crumbly texture of the pastry and the sweet-and-tangy flavor fill your mouth, growing more fragrant the more you chew — always leaving you wanting more. Thanks to this enchanting taste, pineapple cakes have created a unique pastry culture in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s first “round-the-island cycling route” opens — follow these signs to cycle the island
Officially launched on the 30th, Taiwan’s first “Round-the-Island Cycling Route No. 1,” planned by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, spans over 1,200 kilometers in total. Completing the entire route takes about nine days. To meet cyclists’ needs for rest and supplies, the route features 122 rest and replenishment stations, including district offices, Iron Horse Stations (cycling service points), and convenience stores. Cyclists can now embark on their island-wide cycling adventure starting today.
Girlie-style Japanese crepes—strawberry caramel créme brûlée crepes bursting with sweet flavors!
The Japanese crepes at fun tower are truly amazing. I initially thought they were just like regular crepes, but they’re actually incredibly delicate and delicious—truly premium among crepes. Just holding one in your hand, the visual appeal alone is top-notch. It’s such an irresistible dessert!!
The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum raises its daily visitor limit: 750 more people allowed starting January 1
The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi has begun trial operations and is currently offering free admission through online reservations. In preparation for the New Year’s holiday, starting January 1, 2016, the museum will increase its daily visitor capacity by 750 people, allowing a total of 1,750 visitors per day. Online reservations are now open and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the limit is reached.
Cycling around Taiwan solo is now a breeze！ The Bicycle Route 1 for Island-Circling Officially Launched
In recent years, a global cycling craze has emerged, and Taiwan has been striving to create a bicycle-friendly environment. On the 30th, Bicycle Route 1 for Island-Circling was officially launched. The main route spans approximately 968 kilometers, featuring dedicated bicycle signs and markings along the way to clearly guide riders on their island journey. Additionally, 122 supply stations have been set up along the route, ensuring that even solo travelers can successfully complete this impressive cycling feat！
Have you tried these restaurants? A lazy guide to 15 popular new Taipei eateries opening in the second half of the year
Do you feel like 2015 is flying by? The second half of the year sees the launch of many new dining spots, many of which are popular queue-worthy eateries from Japan and Korea. ETtoday EBC has compiled a list of 15 highly sought-after restaurants that opened in the latter half of the year for your reference.
Sightseeing Beats Livestock as the Country’s Top Revenue Source: 4 Key Reasons New Zealand Attracts Tourists
According to a recent report on Lonely Planet’s website, the influx of tourists to New Zealand each year has made tourism the country’s largest source of income, surpassing the livestock industry many people typically associate with the nation.
New Admission Fees at Yangmingshan and Kenting National Park to Take Effect on January 1, 2016
The Ministry of the Interior’s Construction and Planning Agency has recently selected certain national parks to implement the first phase of a new fee system starting January 1, 2016. Among them, Kenting National Park will adjust the admission fee at Eluanbi starting January 1, and plans to begin charging entry fees at Niaosong Cape Park from May 1. Parking lots within Yangmingshan National Park will also start charging fees from January 1. Travelers are advised to take note.
YouBike rolls into Hsinchu – stations expected to begin operation in the first half of 2016
YouBike is coming to Hsinchu City too. The Hsinchu City Government and Smile Scooter Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement to jointly establish the “Hsinchu City Public Bicycle Rental System – YouBike.” It is expected that 10 stations will be completed and operational in the first half of 2016, with 30 rental stations and 750 public bicycles to be in service by the end of next year.