Travel
It tastes even chewier when cold—the grains are distinct yet bouncy in this old-school rice cake.
I almost always pick at least one rice cake spot whenever I visit Tainan. This snack really hits the spot for me. Last year, a place serving Tainan-style rice cakes and Yi-mian noodles opened on Southeast Street in Hsinchu. After trying it... well, I wasn’t too impressed. Later, I heard about an old man’s rice cake shop on Minzu Road (the name is simply Tainan Rice Cake), so I went to check it out.
New UK Yorkshire landmark "The Diamond" combines glass curtain walls with personality and historical charm
Located at the University of Sheffield in southern Yorkshire, the UK, the new Engineering Faculty building "The Diamond" serves not only as an educational facility but also stands out as a new local landmark with its distinctive design. Inspired by the stonework window patterns of historic churches in the area, it is crafted from aluminum and glass curtain walls — a must-see for visitors！
Endless vitality in motion: 14 must-visit spots on a contemporary art mini-tour of Paris
In France, many buildings are classified as cultural heritage sites, and any alterations or renovations must comply with national regulations. The pristine Haussmann-style architecture of Paris owes its beauty to a legal requirement mandating exterior wall cleaning every ten years, with costs shared among residents. The distinctive gray-blue "Roof of Paris" (Toit de Paris) also has hopes of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to efforts by the newly elected mayor in 2014.
Relive childhood memories: 6 must-visit slides across Taiwan
Slides have always been one of the cherished memories of many people’s childhoods. Nowadays, with improved designs, slides come in a variety of unique forms. ETtoday EBC has compiled a list of 6 distinctive slides—be sure to find some time to take a ride soon.
Authentic Taiwanese flavor at its best: Food experts recommend 34 must-try braised pork rice spots
If I could only write about one type of cuisine, it would definitely be “Taiwanese street food.” And if I could only share one dish, it would undoubtedly be “braised pork rice.” This collection brings together over a hundred braised pork rice experiences from my five years of blogging, narrowed down to 34 that I wanted to — and was able to — write about (though not necessarily the most delicious).
4 hours to Tokyo!“Hokkaido Shinkansen” online early-bird tickets up to 40% off
Book Hokkaido Shinkansen tickets online and enjoy up to 40% off—traveling from Tokyo to Hokkaido just got more convenient in the future. The long-awaited “Hokkaido Shinkansen” has been confirmed to officially open on March 26. In the future, passengers will be able to reach Hokkaido directly from Tokyo in about 4 hours. JR Hokkaido announced on the 5th that those who book Hokkaido Shinkansen tickets online can enjoy discounts ranging from 25% to 40%, with ticket sales starting on February 26.
What’s a suspension bridge? Ride a sky bike 15 stories high in Cebu—look down and your legs will go weak from fear.
“No jumping around while riding the bike,” came a series of stern reminders and equipment checks before the staff finally let us start this biking adventure. Because we were about to ride bikes 150 feet (about 45.7 meters) above the ground at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park on Bohol Island in Cebu—a death-defying airborne journey. For those without strong nerves, just looking down might make them too scared to move.
The Dapeng Bay Bridge Opening Show Now Only on Saturdays; Qingzhou Coastal Recreation Area Near the Bridge Free to Enter
The Dapeng Bay Cross-Sea Bridge Opening Show, which once attracted nearly 10,000 visitors a day, offers a spectacular view of the bridge deck opening under the sunset, whether you’re by the bridge or on it. However, starting in 2016 (105 in Taiwan’s calendar), the show changed from twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays to only on Saturdays. But the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration has introduced a special offer: visitors can enter the nearby Qingzhou Coastal Recreation Area for free within half an hour before or after the show.
Sun Moon Lake launches new electric boats; nighttime lake tours planned for the future
The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation has launched new electric boats. The Ministry of Transportation stated that once conditions are ripe, nighttime navigation on Sun Moon Lake may be permitted, bringing a fresh look to the area.
Great news for Hong Kong and Macau travelers: Taichung offers free airport shuttle service, with private transfers to your hotel
The Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau has partnered with private travel agencies to launch the “Taichung ChingChuanKang Airport Free Shuttle Bus Card.” Visitors arriving at Taichung ChingChuanKang Airport from Hong Kong will be greeted with a private transfer directly to their city hotel. A total of 500 cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis; Hong Kong and Macau travelers must book through the Taiwan Visitors Association, Hong Kong Office.
Michelin Two-Star Chef from Italy Makes Guest Appearance at Mandarin Oriental – Available for Just ¥2,000!
In 2015, many hotels competed to invite Michelin-starred chefs to Taiwan as guest chefs, and in 2016 (this year), Mandarin Oriental has taken the lead by inviting Italian Michelin two-star chef Nicola Portinari to make a guest appearance at Bencotto Italian Restaurant from January 28 to 31. The lunch set menu starts at ¥1,800 per person, and the dinner set menu starts at ¥3,200.
Offering Taiwanese diners an authentic kaiseki experience – the Jinshui Taipei set menu starts at NT$4,000
The Tokyo Hotel Chinzanso, Japan’s most upscale hotel and a nine-time five-star recipient in the Michelin Guide, is opening its first overseas high-end Japanese kaiseki restaurant, “Jinshui Taipei,” on January 21 in Taipei’s Dazhi district. It will present the full essence of traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine. Hand X Bo-wen, the head of Jinshui Taipei, said the goal is to let more people in Taiwan experience and appreciate genuine Japanese kaiseki and understand the cultural meanings it represents – which is also the main reason behind bringing the renowned ryotei (Japanese fine dining restaurant) Jinshui to Taiwan.
Experience the white landscape covering forests and fields – 9 plum blossom viewing spots across Taiwan
What?! These places are actually covered in snow? A closer look reveals it’s plum blossoms in full bloom. Winter is the peak season for plum blossoms, which adorn the mountain scenery with their swaying white presence. Ettoday Eastday Travel Cloud has compiled 9 plum blossom viewing spots across Taiwan – come admire this snow-blanketed mountain wonderland.
3 "No-Gos" When Visiting Shrines – Doing These Could Bring Bad Luck!
Many people include visiting shrines or temples as one of their must-do activities when traveling in Japan. But do you really know the correct way to worship? If you unknowingly commit certain taboos at a shrine, your luck could actually turn bad. Recently, the Japanese website *Ameba* listed 3 "no-gos" when visiting shrines. Let’s take a look at what you should pay attention to!
Taipei in just 1 hour—must-stay hot spring hotel for families with kids!
Weekends are perfect for a short family getaway, and soaking in a hot spring is a great choice when the weather turns cold. But hot spring resorts often get extremely crowded on holidays, wasting precious time on traffic and turning your relaxing trip into a stressful rush. A hidden hot spring destination in Taoyuan is an excellent option for a peaceful family trip. This hotel features a private hot spring room in every guest room, plus a 750-ping SPA club where guests can work out, enjoy massages, and aromatherapy.
Winter trip to Kobo Mountain to enjoy plum blossoms fun！Take Taiwan Good to Go’s Little Wulai Line for 20% off
The cold winter is the perfect time to admire plum blossoms！Currently, the plum trees at Kobo Mountain Villa in Taoyuan are in full bloom, with a blooming rate of 50%，and the flowering period will last until the end of January．From now until the 23rd, the Taoyuan City Government is hosting the “105th Kobo Mountain Villa Plum Blossom Season,” featuring wonderful activities such as art installations, grass games, and fun picnics．In addition to weekend shuttle buses, visitors can also enjoy a 20% discount on the Taiwan Good to Go’s Little Wulai Line during weekends．
Registration sold out in a flash！New Taipei Railway Marathon Relay adds 100 more slots
Taiwan’s first-ever “New Taipei City Railway Marathon Relay,” upon opening registration, saw all slots snapped up instantly. At the request of runners and to ensure track safety and the highest service quality, the New Taipei City Government has decided to open an additional 100 slots, with registration starting at noon on January 14. Those wanting to join the marathon should seize the opportunity！
Time to unwind with drinks and meat after work—Japanese izakaya in Tainan: fried shrimp sushi & asparagus pork belly
Yay~ If you’re into Japanese izakayas, Sister Man recommends the delicious Huba River Izakaya. The chef is Japanese, the menu offers way more variety than your average izakaya, including many creative dishes. Plus, quite a few Japanese and other foreigners come here to dine. Though the prices are slightly higher, we absolutely loved it—check out Mimi’s share right away~
Alishan Forest Railway Adds Extra Trains for Spring Festival Ticket Booking Opens at 6 AM on Jan 22
To effectively manage passenger flow during the Spring Festival holiday, the Alishan Forest Railway’s main line (between Chiayi and Fenchihu) will operate one additional round-trip train between Chiayi and Fenchihu from Feb 8 to Feb 12. Including the originally scheduled weekend services, there will be two round-trip trains daily from Feb 6 to Feb 14. Ticket booking opens at 6 AM on Jan 22. Additional services on the Alishan Forest Recreation Area branch line and the Sunrise Train will be added flexibly based on passenger demand.
Soak in hot springs under the starry sky and embrace the Central Mountain Range at Songyi Manor, a new homestay in Hualien
Surrounded by the landscapes of the Huatung Valley and nestled in the Ruisui Hot Spring area, Songyi Manor was completed in the second half of 2015 and has begun trial operations. It sets itself apart from the more densely clustered hot spring hotels in the Ruisui area by offering an independent and tranquil manor-style homestay experience. Guests can enjoy free bicycles to explore the surroundings. The manor is expected to officially open in February.