Travel
Catch a performance at Cloud Gate and try 18-fold soup dumplings with authentic Taiwanese tea
Since its opening last year, Cloud Gate Theatre has attracted 80,000 visitors. In addition to its captivating performances, the serene surroundings and delicious dining options are also major highlights. After the show, don’t rush off—head to Flower Language Restaurant by the lotus pond. Headed by Chef Chang Jui-ching, one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Din Tai Fung,” it offers 18-fold soup dumplings and Taiwanese teas from Gold Quality Tea Collection.
New Secret Path of Bald Cypresses Discovered at Tianwei Yixin Garden – Admire Winter’s Beauty Along Its Hundred-Meter Trail
Another bald cypress secret spot has emerged in Changhua County’s Tianwei Township. The Yixin Garden in the local Highway Garden recently added a new bald cypress trail stretching over 100 meters. The park area has also been updated with new restrooms and a performance stage. Future weekend concerts are planned to allow visitors to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere of the bald cypress woods while enjoying live music during their leisure time.
Should you avoid hot tea and coffee on airplanes? 3 things airlines won’t tell you
The airplane environment is generally unfamiliar to most people and can be even easier to overlook while traveling. Former flight attendant Allison Hope reveals the dark side of air travel—everyday things we take for granted may actually carry significant risks. Find out where these hidden dangers lie in the report compiled by the UK’s Daily Mail. Of course, these opinions are for reference only and may not necessarily apply to every airline.
Did you eat at the right ramen shop? The top 10 ramen shops most recommended by Japanese people have been revealed
Recently, Japan’s most reputable food review website Tabelog held a voting event where Japanese netizens cast one vote each to select the Top 50 in Japan. Among them, the top ten most recommended must-eat ramen shops in Japan were also chosen—even the well-known Ippudo Ramen didn’t make the cut. Check out these 10 wildly popular Japanese ramen shops and add them to your food bucket list for your next trip to Japan.
Hi-Lai Café Launches 3 Hot Pot Options Under 400 NTD
Hot pot at a café? As the weather gets colder, Hi-Lai Café—part of the Hi-Lai Group, which also owns Hi-Lai Harbor Restaurant—has created an affordable yet generous hot pot menu that follows the same principles of freshness, abundance, and flavor as the main restaurant. The broths are simmered with pork bones, fruits, and vegetables. Options include the Crab Seafood Hot Pot (360 NTD + 10%), Korean Kimchi Hot Pot (340 NTD + 10%), and Herbal Health Hot Pot (320 NTD + 10%).
Spring Accommodation Offers: Second Night 50% Off at Far Eastern Taipei on Weekends
To capitalize on the 288 consecutive holiday shopping season, The Far Eastern Taipei – Shangri-La is launching spring accommodation offers for the upcoming 228 Peace Memorial Day and Children’s Day holidays. From now until May 1, guests staying on weekends (Friday to Sunday) can enjoy a 50% discount on the consecutive second night (or second room). The offer also includes two servings of buffet breakfast at Far Eastern Café (valued at NT$1,738), as well as 15% off dining at the hotel’s five restaurants, three bars, and room service.
Hsinchu Xiangshan Micro-Tour Kicks Off！Local Experts Guide You to 12 Hidden Gems
The micro-tour itinerary is led by local experts from Xiangshan, featuring stops such as the “Xiangshan Railway Station,” the only all-cypress railway station along Taiwan’s entire rail network with an 87-year history; experiencing the 17-kilometer coastal cycling route, recognized as one of Taiwan’s top ten classic cycling paths, for a bike-powered eco-friendly lifestyle; visiting the Xiangshan Glass Community to explore a 285-year-old ancient official road and admire works that blend glass art with daily life; and learning about the nearly century-old, four-generation family-run international rice noodle experience, including the making process of Hsinchu rice noodles.
Must-See Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan: Explore Kyoto’s Top 10 Popular Blossom Sites
The cherry blossom season in Japan is here. With flowers blooming everywhere, the soft pink blossoms are gradually coming into full display. Why not take some time to explore Kyoto’s famous cherry blossom spots for a floral journey? Rakuten Travel has released the “Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto,” introducing 10 hidden blossom paradises in the city. Quickly gather your family and friends and embark on a cherry blossom adventure.
It's not just scallion slices — Chaoyuefang's Peking duck also pairs well with cheese, blueberries, and apples.
HowToTrip’s flagship hotel, Mefu Grand Hotel, features five on-site restaurants: Caihui Buffet, Chaoyuefang, Mi Xiang, European Restaurant GMT, and Japanese restaurant Qingshan. Among them, Chaoyuefang is truly "trendy." The Peking-style crispy duck, besides the traditional sweet bean sauce, has introduced perilla plum sauce and pesto. The pancakes come in three flavors: scallions, red onions, and buckwheat. For toppings, you can choose from scallion slices, cucumber, plus fried garlic chips, cheese, blueberries, and apples.
International Cooperation / Taoyuan Airport and Munich Airport Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperative Exchange
On the afternoon of February 24 (Munich time), Taoyuan International Airport Corporation and Munich Airport GmbH signed a sister airport memorandum of understanding on cooperative exchange in the VIP lounge at Munich Airport. The two sides conducted exchanges and mutual visits based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and common development, sharing information related to airport passenger services, marketing, aviation security, land development, and new technologies. In the future, they will also strive to expand direct flights between Taoyuan and Munich.
Certified premium cycling route by France！ The Brave the East Coast Cycling Event kicks off
Taiwan Route 11 along the East Coast is not only the most bike-friendly area in Taiwan, but also one of the world's top routes voted by cyclists. The "2016 Brave the East Coast Cycling Event," organized by the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration (East Coast Management Office), is now in its 8th edition. This year’s highlight is that the race route includes premium sections that have been certified by the French Association of Cycling Sports (ACP). Event ambassador Hou Yi-jun will also personally take part in the cycling activity, joining the public for a fun day out.
Discover hidden gems along the coastline: the recreated Yunshan Water Scenic Area and the Eagle Rock Peak sea views you’ve never seen before.
With the opening of the Xueshan Tunnel, Yilan, just a 40-minute drive from Taipei, has become the perfect backyard garden in the minds of many. Exploring the city along the coastal highway, you’re greeted by the boundless Pacific Ocean and the layered ridges of the Xueshan mountain range. The sound of crashing waves fills the air with wonder. The Dongsen Marine Hot Spring Hotel in Toucheng recommends three off-the-beaten-path attractions, allowing you to eat, drink, and play along the coast while fulfilling your dreams of exploring both mountains and seas.
Taipei also has cheap and filling options too！A three-person portion of stir-fried noodles for just NT$60 and an extra-large mixed soup
This small Hui Cold Noodles spot near Taipei Metro Liuzhangli Station is pretty famous—many netizens recommend it for its generous portions and low prices, so when I’m on a tighter budget, this is where I come XD. Thought I’d grab a nice afternoon bite. Originally wanted cold noodles but the weather was a bit chilly, so I went with beef stir-fried noodles instead, plus a bowl of mixed soup.
Garrett Popcorn launches the classic Blue 2-Gallon Bucket, available only until March 11
Since its opening, Garrett Popcorn has continued to draw long lines. Starting today, it introduces a limited-edition classic Blue 2-Gallon Bucket. Available daily from February 25 to March 11 while supplies last. The classic Blue 2-Gallon Bucket allows you to choose more than one popcorn flavor, and with the internal divider, you can select up to three flavors at once. Prices range from NT$1,000 to NT$1,950, depending on the combination you choose.
A Sea of Romantic Rose Lights Sways in the Breeze – A Popular Seoul Attraction Appears in Taoyuan
Between 2015 and 2016, over 20,000 LED roses were displayed in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in South Korea, creating a spectacular rose sea that became a must-visit attraction for tourists in Seoul. This equally romantic scene has also appeared at the 2016 Taiwan Lantern Festival, allowing the public to enjoy the same dazzling beauty without having to fly to Seoul.
Vietjet offers 2 million free tickets — Fly to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for free
Starting March 1, Vietjet Air will offer 2 million free tickets, including international routes to and from Taipei and various countries, as well as all domestic flights.
Tiny water droplets transform into hearts and even write “Welcome” – Visitors praise: “More stunning than the water dance”
From February 22 to March 6, the 2016 Taiwan Lantern Festival held next to Taoyuan High-Speed Rail Station featured not only a 26-meter-tall main lantern “Qi Tian Creates Great Fortune” and six major lantern zones, but also one of its most distinctive features – the creation of numerous “light environments.” In the Multicultural Lantern Zone, there was a light environment that utilized a “water screen” to present visuals, leaving visitors amazed: “More beautiful than the water dance!”
Taipei Shinkong Mitsukoshi Hotel's Chaopinji Launches New Dishes: Hong Kong Dim Sum and Trendy Cantonese Cuisine Vie for Freshness
After the Lunar New Year, Taipei Shinkong Mitsukoshi Hotel’s Chaopinji has refreshed its menu. Led by Executive Chef He Bingmu and developed in collaboration with Dim Sum Chef Huang Yiren, over twenty private-style Cantonese dishes and authentic Hong Kong dim sum have been introduced. The revamped menu includes long-absent favorites that have returned to the regular lineup, such as Pear Burst Duck, as well as the winning dish of the hotel’s internal new dish competition held late last year—Sandstorm Plum Lamb Ribs, which stood out among more than ten entries. Another classic beloved by food connoisseurs, Cantonese-style preserved meat clay pot rice, also makes a comeback. Other new offerings include Pan-Fried Blue Grouper, Leek Flower Salted Pork Tofu, and Scallop Sanhuang Egg.
It’s not ketchup — the sauce for the Sparkling Stars Egg Fried Rice is simmered using beef marrow bones and vegetables.
Mitsui Outlet Park’s food court is always bustling during meal times, and every eatery here has its own claim to fame. Take Sparkling Stars, for example. Don’t assume it’s just another ordinary egg fried rice restaurant. When it was first established in Japan, the restaurant was committed to using authentic French culinary techniques to deliver top-quality meals. Even an ordinary egg fried rice here isn’t topped with ketchup — instead, it’s drizzled with a signature sauce made by simmering beef marrow bones.
Gone forever: Hokkaido’s “Tree of Philosophy” toppled by landowner
The iconic Tree of Philosophy in Biei, Hokkaido, can no longer be seen in person. A friend of the landowner recently clarified that the tree, which gained immense popularity in recent years, had grown old and fragile, posing a risk of falling over. If it collapsed during farming activities, someone could have been injured. Additionally, the large number of tourists and photographers drawn to the tree caused damage to the crops, a problem that had troubled the landowner for quite some time. As a result, the landowner used heavy machinery to bring the tree down. The landowner also conveyed through their friend that the tree was pushed over, not cut down.