Travel
Where in Japan will the cherry blossoms bloom first in 2016? Fukuoka on March 18, Tokyo two days earlier
When will the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan this year? According to predictions by Japan's WeatherMap, this year’s cherry blossom season will kick off in Fukuoka, with blooms expected as early as March 18. This will be followed by Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka, while Sapporo in Hokkaido is not expected to see blossoms until the end of April.
Accidentally a tourist attraction: Prague’s narrowest alley installs traffic lights to prevent “personal accidents”
The Czech capital of Prague has the narrowest alley in the entire city, which has been equipped with the world’s tiniest set of traffic lights. Whenever pedestrians need to cross, they must press a button at the entrance to the alley, activating the signal lights on the other side to avoid the “traffic accident” of two people meeting and getting stuck inside.
Pictures speak louder than words！ The Divine Palette in the West: 6 Must-Visit Fairyland Destinations in Northern Xinjiang
Known as the “No. 1 Beach under Heaven,” Five-Color Beach is traversed by the Irtysh River—the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean—which also contributes to the legendary beauty of Five-Color Beach.
Most in awe of cherry blossoms！ Mt. Fuji View Railway cherry blossoms | Day and night, Chidorigafuchi offers totally different views
Taking the Alishan Forest Railway to view cherry blossoms is not uncommon, but taking a Japanese train to do so—that’s truly impressive！ The historic Mt. Fuji View Railway carries passengers across iron bridges, weaving through mountains, offering views of nearby and distant peaks. And in the bright spring season, cherry blossoms line both sides to welcome you, making it a highly recommended spring journey for travelers～
There are onions here! Call me St. Basil’s Cathedral. The fountains of Russia’s Summer Palace are breathtaking.
My first impression of Russia came from “Tetris.” What about you? Is it ballet, Russian dolls, vodka, or Tchaikovsky’s compositions? Or maybe the Russian spies in the movies? Russia may seem far away, but its long and rich history makes it worth visiting. Moscow and St. Petersburg are not to be missed.
The world’s largest ocean liner sets sail for sea trials—longer than Kaohsiung’s 85 Sky Tower
At 100 meters longer than the Titanic, the sheer size of Harmony of the Seas is something visitors can only truly appreciate in person. Calling it just a ship might be underselling it—it’s more accurate to describe it as a floating hotel on the seas. Weighing 230,000 tons with a total length of 362 meters, it even surpasses the height of Kaohsiung’s 85 Sky Tower at 348 meters. This voyage is primarily to test its operations at sea, carrying no passengers, only 500 crew members.
Transportation Guide to Japan’s Largest Light Display “Nabana no Sora” – Only ¥830 Including Admission & Dinner
If you’re in Nagoya and want to enjoy spectacular lights comparable to Huis Ten Bosch, Japan’s largest light display, “Nabana no Sora” in neighboring Mie Prefecture, is an absolute must-see. During the light festival period, the private Japanese railway – Kintetsu Railway (short for Kinki Nippon Railway, or Kintetsu for short) – also offers a special discount package. With just one package, you can cover round-trip transportation from Nagoya to Nabana no Sora, park admission, and even dinner, making it a very practical choice for travelers.
Stay at Mandarin Oriental Taipei for under NT$10,000 per night — only 10 rooms available nightly
Mandarin Oriental Taipei has specially launched the “Urban Getaway” local guest stay package. From now until April 15, 2016, guests can check in to a deluxe room originally priced at NT$16,500 for just NT$9,888 per night from Sundays to Thursdays, while also enjoying dining services.
Blue Tears in Beihai Tunnel to Make Debut on April 1 – Glowing Waters Resemble Movie "Life of Pi"
The "blue tears" of Matsu, which sparked a "tear-chasing craze" last year, will enter their peak season again in April. In addition to the chance of seeing blue tears along the coast, this year’s nighttime blue tears experience in Beihai Tunnel is also scheduled to kick off on April 1.
"Black Diamonds" on the Table – HowToTrip Grand Hotel Launches Premium Black Truffle Set Menu
Black truffles, ranked alongside caviar and foie gras as one of the world's top three gourmet ingredients, are about to enter their peak season. Their mysterious yet enticing aroma attracts food enthusiasts. HowToTrip Grand Hotel’s 45th-floor Lobster Wine Hall has specially sourced black truffles from France’s Perigord region, known as the "black diamonds" of the dining table. From now until March 31, they are offering a "Premium Black Truffle Set Menu" priced at NT$3,480 + 10%.
Savory delights and desserts all in one go: A lazy guide to “must-try international queue-worthy foods” at Taipei Main Station
Taipei Main Station isn’t just a transportation hub—it’s also a paradise of food with endless options. Aside from affordable street eats in the alleys, many internationally popular eateries have set up shop around Taipei Main Station. Whenever a new branch opens, huge crowds flock there, often waiting in line for hours just to get a taste. Today, we’ve rounded up the “must-try international foods at Taipei Main Station” for you. Quickly pull out your schedule and plan when to make your pilgrimage.
Romantic White Valentine’s Day Awaits: Guagua Mountain to Close Streets for “Daydreaming” Event on the 12th
As the annual White Valentine’s Day approaches and you’re still unsure how to celebrate, Changhua County is kicking things off early with a “Daydreaming Lovers’ Night” event from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 12th. The event will take over the plaza of the County Art Museum and surrounding areas, closing the streets to the public. Join in for song and dance performances, a movie, games, snacks, and a market stroll to soak up a Valentine’s experience unique to Guagua Mountain.
Let's cheer together for the Lamigo Monkeys' exclusive baseball restaurant, opening on March 19!
Baseball fans in Taipei, mark your calendars—the Lamigo Monkeys' exclusive baseball restaurant is set to open on March 19. Located in Taipei’s Xinyi District, it features a massive 150-inch screen, outdoor dining tables, and ice-cold draft beer, providing fans with the perfect spot to cheer on their team. Liu Pao-yu, chairman of the LaNew Group and the Lamigo Monkeys, said that while such baseball-themed restaurants are common abroad, Taiwan has none. The goal of opening this venue is to offer fans a space where they can enjoy food and drinks while watching the games and socializing with others.
Alternative Prague classic: A dancing street house that’s a tap-dancing expert with a twist
Prague in the Czech Republic has long been known as a fairy-tale city, with architecture mostly in styles such as Neo-Baroque and Neo-Gothic. But on the streets of Prague stands the eye-catching “Dancing House,” which defies visual norms and brings an alternative, fantastical flair to the red-brick cityscape.
【Editorial】Ride the Grand Romance Queen for Free & Attend a Lecture on Yangtze River Cruise Luxury
In recent years, cruise (or mail ship) tourism has been extremely popular. While you may be dreaming of ocean cruises, river cruises actually offer smoother comfort than sea cruises and even more picturesque scenery. For example, European river cruises are top-tier travel experiences, but they tend to be costly and time-consuming. It’s recommended to first choose the nearby Yangtze River Three Gorges, where the language is the same, for a memorable river cruise adventure.
Find the cheapest flights at a glance & Peach Aviation’s website revamp now includes Facebook check-ins
Starting March 10, Peach Aviation has completely revamped its online ticket booking interface. The new design will feature “Best Value Flights” and “Real-time Booking Trends” to help travelers easily spot discounted fares.
Sunset views & stunning seaside scenery guaranteed — 6 local Sabahan street food spots recommended by residents
This year, I’ve chosen November to give myself a full 10-day vacation — a blue-sea-and-sky adventure across East Malaysia. Four days of resorting in Sabah, four days wandering around Kuching, then another two days speeding off to the small islands offshore from Sabah. And throughout the journey, we were guided by a beautiful Sino-descendant lady, my good friend and local Sabahan A, who took us straight to the Sabahan street foods, crab dishes, and unforgettable sunsets and seascapes that locals know best.
Tonight’s maiden voyage to Tokyo Haneda Vietjet: Arrive in the early morning and enjoy fun from dawn to dusk
Vietjet’s Taipei–Tokyo (Haneda) route officially launched late on March 11. The inaugural flight ZV252 carried 137 passengers, achieving a load factor of over 70%. To celebrate the launch, Vietjet’s mascot, Wei Bear, played games with passengers at the boarding gate, creating a lively atmosphere.
Someone found reselling bookings RAW: Bookings will be canceled if verified true
The French restaurant RAW, founded by André Chiang, has been open for over a year. However, because it only serves one seating per meal and has limited seating, and there are many people wanting to visit, tables are always hard to come by, earning it the reputation of being the hardest restaurant to book. Recently, RAW officials discovered that some people are reselling seats booked through the official website reservation system and even scamming the paid deposits. RAW has issued a stern statement that it has never authorized anyone to resell seats booked through its official website reservation system.
Is Tigerair Taiwan's app leaking new Japan flight plans? Destination: New ○ Airport
After cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya, is the low-cost airline network preparing to extend to the Hokuriku region!? On Tigerair Taiwan’s mobile app, the option to choose “New ○ Airport” as a departure point from Taipei is now available.