Travel
NokScoot recruits flight attendants in Taiwan for the first time & cuts fuel surcharge again – save NT$1,240 round trip
In response to fluctuating international oil prices, NokScoot Airlines will reduce its ticket fuel surcharge starting January 1, 2016. The fuel surcharge for the non-stop Taipei–Bangkok route will be lowered from NT$920 per segment to NT$300 per segment — a 68% reduction. Travelers flying round trip between Taipei and Bangkok can save NT$1,240 in fuel surcharges.
【Editorial】Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary: Enchanted Storybook Castle & Fairytale Garden Debut
Hong Kong Disneyland is turning 10 years old today and is launching its “10th Anniversary Celebration” event. Alongside the brand-new Broadway-style musical “Mickey and the Wondrous Book,” which debuts on 12/17 and brings classic fairy tale scenes to life, as well as nightly highlights such as the “Frozen Christmas Light-Up” and “Ignite the Dream fireworks show,” there’s also the “Disney Paint the Night” LED parade—a must-see nighttime spectacle.
Not just a huge duty-free mall!! f The third floor of HowHow Golden Lake Hotel also has a hidden gem...
HowHow Golden Lake Hotel is said to boast Asia’s largest duty-free mall. Whether on weekdays or holidays, its entrance is always packed with tour buses, attracting large numbers of visitors. In addition to jewelry, gems, and fashion boutiques, the hotel also houses many fine art pieces, some of which have been part of the owner’s private collection for years. On the third floor of the hotel, there is also a roughly 300-ping “Golden Lake Art Gallery” that regularly exhibits various artworks—it’s a rare art venue in Kinmen well worth a visit.
Go camping at Hsinchu’s Buddy's Den Campsite — featuring high-end six-star bathrooms, sand pits, and green spaces
About two months ago, I was incredibly lucky to secure a campsite spot at Buddy's Den through an online group. In this era of camping craze where spots are hard to come by, it felt especially precious. And because of that, I wanted to enjoy even more happy moments, so I decided to head out early.
First-Class Hotel Opens in Taichung at Affordable Prices Starting from NT$2,000 for a 5-Star Experience
Taichung’s new hotel, “First-Class Hotel,” has officially opened its Green Park Boulevard branch on December 1. Located in a convenient spot at the intersection of Taiwan Boulevard and Meicun Road in Taichung, it is close to Guang San SOGO Department Store, the Qianmei Grass & Meditation Mall, and the National Museum of Natural Science. The hotel combines business, shopping, and leisure, with an overall design themed around airplane cabins in a clean and sleek style.
Six Fu Group and Fubon Hospitality Management Join Forces to Build an International-Grade Hotel in Taipei
Following the grand opening of Taipei Six Fu Marriott, it was recently announced that they will partner with Fubon Hospitality Management Consulting Co., Ltd. (Fubon Hospitality Management) to jointly establish an international hotel management company. In the newly formed international hotel management company, Fubon Hospitality Management Consulting Co., Ltd. will hold a 51% stake, while Six Fu Development Co., Ltd. will hold 49%. The two parties plan to collaborate on developing an international-grade tourist hotel in the Taipei area.
Neoclassical style！Victoria Hotel joins the world’s largest independent hotel brand
Located in the Dazhi-Neihu District, Victoria Hotel has once again been rated as a five-star property. In December 2015, it officially joined Preferred Hotel & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand. The iPrefer membership card issued globally by Preferred Hotel & Resorts can also be used to book rooms at Victoria Hotel, enjoying exclusive benefits such as point accumulation, cash rebates, and room upgrades.
Taiwanese people love ramen too – in 2015, a total of 8 Japanese-brand ramen shops crossed the sea to Taiwan
Before long, we’ll be welcoming the brand-new year of 2016. Over the past year, Taiwan’s food and beverage market has seen an influx of new energy, with new restaurants opening one after another, many of which are from Japan. Among them, no fewer than 8 Japanese ramen shops have expanded to Taiwan, including well-known names like Setagaya Ramen, Ichigen Ramen, and Kyougan-tei. This allows ramen-loving Taiwanese to enjoy delicious ramen without even having to leave the country.
The Happy Dawn Flight takes off—be the first in the sky to greet the first light of dawn!
China Airlines’ Happy Dawn Flight welcomed the first and highest sunrise in Taiwan together with passengers at high altitude on New Year’s Day. It also pioneered the limited sale of high-altitude lucky bags. Passengers enjoyed the sunrise while listening to the melodious singing of gondoliers (Gondola), marking the arrival of a brand-new year.
The most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom – A mysterious “triangular space” formed by two massive rocks
The most sacred site of the Ryukyu Kingdom, “Sefa-utaki,” boasts a natural landscape that exudes an inviolably sacred atmosphere. During the reign of King Shō Shin in the 15th to 16th centuries, it was a male-exclusive zone restricted only to women—even the king had to disguise himself as a woman to gain entry. It is an essential experience not to be missed when visiting Okinawa.
Want to see the most beautiful abandoned subway station in Manhattan? Sorry, you’ll have to line up months in advance.
According to the Lonely Planet website, the old City Hall subway station opened on October 27, 1904, as a main station on the Manhattan line, and is the only one in the system designed in the Romanesque Revival style.
In business for over 10 years!* Savory, flavorful, and super affordable teppanyaki that goes perfectly with rice
When it comes to Xin Xin Da Zhong Teppanyaki, I believe quite a few people know about it. It has been operating in Taoyuan for over ten years. I used to eat here often, but one day when I passed by, I saw it was under renovation. This teppanyaki place always had such good business, didn’t it? Later, I found out online that the two brothers had gone their separate ways—the younger brother continued running the original location, while the elder brother opened a new shop at No. 364 on the same street.
Essential winter footwear for Hokkaido residents: “Winter shoes” with cleats and anti-slip thick soles
Native Hokkaido residents might experience culture shock upon entering a shoe store in Tokyo. That’s right—“There are no winter shoes!”
Japan’s Most Romantic Flower Sea: 4.5 Million Bluebells Bloom at “Hitachi Seaside Park”
Located just a two-hour drive from Tokyo, “Hitachi Seaside Park” was once selected by USA Today as one of the most romantic flower seas in the world. Spanning 350 hectares, the park is famous for its vast fields of seasonal blooms, where the beauty of numbers is extravagantly on display. The most renowned attraction is the blue “bluebells” that cover entire hillsides in spring, blending seamlessly with the blue sky on clear days, creating not only a visually expansive scene but also a dreamlike landscape akin to a fairy tale.
The adorable Rocking Rococo Horse balloon is an eye-catcher at the Samsung Hwahai Balloon Festival, which is kicking off in a joyful celebration!
The Yilan Samsung Hwahai Balloon Festival kicks off for 15 consecutive days starting from New Year’s Day, bringing joy to all visitors. This year, building on last year’s popularity, the event features a 120-hectare landscape flower field, along with a balloon mascot — the nearly two-story-tall Rocking Rococo Horse, and a cute 4.5-meter-high monkey balloon. These attractions are stationed in a vast field of golden cosmos flowers. Additionally, there will be a flower field photography competition and a flower field hiking treasure hunt activity, aiming to welcome the New Year with happiness alongside the public!
Sweet yet tangy, just like first love—8 popular lemon tarts handpicked across Taiwan
When you step into a cake shop, besides indulging in cakes that melt your heart, don’t you also crave something with a different flavor? That’s when the sweet-and-tangy lemon tart becomes your perfect choice, making it one of the go-to desserts for sweet lovers. 《ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud》 has selected eight popular dessert shops across Taiwan known for their beloved lemon tarts, offering a taste that takes you back to the bittersweet feeling of first love.
Three family-friendly homestays that let you admire mountain clouds and gaze at the sea from bed — thoughtful details at every turn
Selected from the hospitable homestay brand created by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, these three family-friendly homestays all offer sea views, whether up close or from afar: Liusehai Beautiful Time Homestay, Happy Marshmallow Homestay, and Beach Castle Homestay. Some provide thoughtful amenities, others create a playful atmosphere with kid-friendly decor, and one even has a slide bed right in the room. All three have been certified by the hospitable homestay brand and ranked in the top three, offering not just peace of mind but also comfort.
Taiwanese braised pork rice transforms into "duck lu rice" – a perfect pairing with angelica duck soup
In August, I received an invitation from the owner of Yonghe Duck Lu Restaurant on their blog and promised to visit one day. Unexpectedly, it got postponed until October, and I felt too awkward to notify them again. On a whim one noon, I quietly headed to their shop on Zhulin Road.
First in Taiwan ! 3D Interactive Sand Sculptures to Pose With & the Largest Indoor Play Sand Pool
Taiwan’s first-ever “The Incredible Legend of Golden Sand – A Magical Journey Through the Sand World” sand sculpture exhibition has made its grand debut at Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center ! Created by 15 internationally renowned sand sculptors from nine countries, the event features over 40 large-scale sand sculptures, as well as Taiwan’s first 3D interactive sand sculptures . Visitors can not only admire and play with the sand but also interact with the sculptures and take photos — making it a perfect destination for family outings !
Exquisite Lighting Decor Shines Bright into the New Year！Taipei’s Most Romantic Alleyway Serves Up Veterans’ Village Cuisine
As the year draws to a close, in addition to indulging in a feast at [Shandong Laolao Noodle Shop] Shipai Branch, you should also enjoy the romantic night scenery of Shipai Christmas Alley. The [Shandong Laolao Noodle Shop], which has been serving refined northern flavors for four generations, has opened three outlets in Kaohsiung, sharing authentic veterans’ village cuisine with the locals.