Travel
Popular late-night eatery in Neihu District: traditional rice vermicelli with pork and crispy golden horsehead fish
There were quite a few dishes on the menu—hot pot, barbecue, braised snacks, stir-fries, and soups—but it was really hard to choose just two dishes for two people. Black Meilin used to be most famous for its rice noodles, so Old K and Meiji each ordered a bowl, along with some side dishes. We originally wanted to get goose meat, but it’s currently in short supply all over the province. The staff recommended we try the grilled horsehead fish—less than 300 NT per fish—so we went with that.
Bring your quilt to sleep in the temple—Mazu’s Dragon Horn Peak Temple’s dream-seeking tradition where divine visions appear in dreams
Most temples only allow worshippers to offer incense, but this unique “Dragon Horn Peak Temple” located in Beigan, Matsu, is quite extraordinary. Every year on the 29th day of the first lunar month, hundreds of people flock here, bringing their quilts to sleep in the temple and “seek dreams.” It is said that the “Dream God” provides guidance through dreams. This “dream-seeking” culture has been passed down for many years, with some devotees truly receiving divine messages from their dreams. The number of dream-seekers has surged year after year, and there are even those who offer a “dream-fetching” service.
Kids will go wild for this – LEGO’s largest store ever to open in Shanghai in June
According to a report on Lonely Planet’s website, Danish toy giant LEGO has announced it will open its largest LEGO store in the Shanghai Disney Resort in China, a piece of news that has many Asian parents and kids eagerly awaiting.
The Setouchi Triennale Opens in Japan: Taiwanese Seed Boat and Olive Dream Make Their Grand Landing
Spanning the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, with exhibits distributed across 12 islands, the "2016 Setouchi Triennale" officially opened on the morning of March 20. Held once every three years, this is the third edition of the festival, featuring 206 artworks by 226 artists from 34 countries. Among this year’s participants, Taiwanese artists Lin Shun-long and Wang Wen-chih showcased their works *Seed Boat* and *Olive Dream* at Takamatsu Port and Shodoshima Island, respectively.
The Ultimate Showdown of Japanese Ramen: A Must-Try Guide to the Hottest Ramen Spots in Zhongxiao East Road Lane 216
When it comes to the battleground of Japanese ramen in Taipei, you can’t miss Zhongxiao East Road Lane 216. Many ramen shops that have made the long journey from Japan choose this spot as their first landing point and continue to expand their branches here. Some even have their only Taiwanese location right in this alley. Ettoday Dongsen News Cloud has compiled a handy guide to the ramen shops in Zhongxiao East Road Lane 216. One of them may be just around the corner, but it’s equally popular—come see this ramen showdown for yourself.
“High-Speed Rail Holiday” offers private car transfers throughout the trip, with guaranteed entry to the Chimei Museum and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch.
Northerners planning a trip to southern Taiwan often schedule a 2-day, 1-night itinerary. But to avoid traffic jams ruining the fun, they constantly worry about what time to leave, when to get on the highway, and which alternate routes to take. The “High-Speed Rail Holiday” introduces a one-day package for the Chimei Museum and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch. Traveling from Taipei to Tainan takes just 1.6 hours one way—saving accommodation costs—with full guided tours and private car transfers included.
Dubbed the "Mysterious Cat Island," Penghu's Husi Islet Gains International Fame as Cats Outnumber Humans
Not only does Japan have a "cat island," but Taiwan’s Penghu also has a Husi Islet that can be called a "cat paradise." The reason? The number of cats here is almost catching up to the human population. Stray cats lounge around, nap, and sunbathe, looking incredibly carefree—so much so that the island has gained international attention. Hong Kong media even dubbed it a "Taiwan hidden gem" and the "Taiwan cat island."
A waterfall of pale purple cascades down from midair – the Chiayi “Ruishili Wisteria Season” has begun
March is not only the season of pink cherry blossoms, but also the best time to admire pale purple wisteria cascading down trellises. With the annual Chiayi “Ruishili Wisteria Season” now underway, head to Meishan Township for a spring outing and enjoy this stunning pale purple scenery!
Kenting Spring Scream is here！Kending National Park Administration: Only Eluanbi Park and Hotel La residence are officially approved
The long-awaited Kenting Spring Music Festival is back Up！This year’s Spring Scream will kick off with a bang starting April 1. The Kending National Park Administration specifically pointed out that only the Spring Scream at Eluanbi Park and the music festival event at Hotel La residence are officially approved. All other venues are unauthorized, so the public should pay extra attention.
A century-old beef shop in Taipei serves refreshing and sweet beef offal noodles!
How long has Jinchunfa been sitting in my pocket? I used to live near Yuanshan and there was actually a branch nearby, but I never went. Later, I read a post by a seasoned foodie I often follow, mentioning Jinchunfa’s main store at Tianshui, which made me want to give it a try. Then later I planned to hit up Peacock at Dihua Street for after-dinner drinks.
A "Underwater World" Appears at Erchong Metropolitan Park: The Ocean's Apex Predator, the Plesiosaur, Also Makes an Appearance
The riverside park has been transformed into an underwater world! Located under the Chenglu Bridge in New Taipei’s Erchong Metropolitan Park, vibrant and diverse tropical fish, turtles, and other creatures can be seen swimming leisurely. But turn a corner and you’ll come face-to-face with fierce sharks, hungrily eyeing their prey; go a bit further, and you’ll even discover the home of mermaids. It turns out the deep sea world is truly magical and mysterious—come and immerse yourself in the charm of the ocean depths.
Ordering only opens for 10 minutes a day — Tokyo’s mysterious breakfast “Red Bean Pancake Muffin”
Many food and beverage businesses offer drinks and light meals to build a customer base, and also launch different menu items according to the time of day. Recently, a popular Japanese-style café in Ueno, Tokyo called “うさぎやcafé” (Usagiya Café), introduced a breakfast-exclusive red bean pancake muffin, but ordering is only available for 10 minutes each day, making it a hot topic of discussion.
Kaohsiung’s Budget Eats: A Hidden “Mung Bean Soup” That Brings Back Childhood Memories
Aside from scallion meat buns, Youchang has another hidden gem—a mung bean soup spot. The more low-key a place is, the more we love it. We found the address online but couldn’t locate it even with a map. We walked up and down this road twice before finally recognizing it. This legendary mung bean soup shop is tucked away in a residential alley, with no signboard—only its appearance and address number give it away.
Hurry and collect them all！Taiwan Railways’ Yuli Station Turns 100 — Limited Edition Commemorative Ticket Set Goes on Sale on the 27th
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Yuli Station’s operation, Taiwan Railways will issue a centennial commemorative platform ticket set, which will go on sale at 9:00 AM on the 27th at Yuli Station. The set is priced at NT$100 and is limited to just 1,000 sets.
New construction at Sichongxi Hot Springs in Pingtung; two areas temporarily closed
The “2015 Sichongxi Hot Springs Festival” is undergoing new construction, with two areas to be temporarily closed and fenced off. Facilities at the South Garden concession stand will be constructed and the public toilets in the North Garden will be upgraded. These two areas will be closed starting March 23 to ensure visitor safety.
Sleep overnight at museums and zoos to save on accommodation – top UK attractions worth staying the night at
Spending the night at famous attractions seems like a great way to save on lodging, and more and more travelers are starting to give it a try. Of course, it’s not as comfortable as a hotel, but it does offer a truly unique experience. The UK’s Daily Mail has compiled a list of several overnight stay locations. This article highlights three well-known tourist spots in the UK – you might want to give them a try on your next trip to Britain!
These dishes are all planted by Mother Nature herself — Hualien’s popular “Wild Vegetable Hot Pot” served fresh from harvest
Originally a hairstylist in Taipei, Chen Yingmei decided to move to Hualien for rest and recovery after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She began researching vegetable farming on her own but initially struggled. It wasn’t until she learned from indigenous locals to “let nature do the planting!” that she understood the importance of following the seasons. Now, her restaurant combines a vegetable garden to offer a “Wild Vegetable Hot Pot,” where guests can enjoy the fun of picking their own greens — with over 20 different types of wild vegetables available to be picked and cooked on the spot.
“Demon God” Chases Kids on Powder Snow at Hokkaido’s Hoshino TOMAMU Resort—Absolutely Magical
Flakes of snow drift down from the sky, silently melting into water droplets upon touching your hands. Everywhere you look, thick layers of snow pile up like fluffy “cotton candy,” tempting you to take a big bite. Four blue-green-gray high-rise buildings stand out vividly against the vast silver-white landscape. This is Japan’s Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, where once you step inside, you won’t want to leave—you’ll just want to indulge in the romance unique to the northern lands in this serene spot.
The pomelo blossoms in Hualien are gradually blooming — a fragrant 3-kilometer cherry blossom avenue awaits!
The pomelo blossom season is about to kick off!* The Hualien Ruisui Township Farmers’ Association held a pomelo blossom walk and Farmers’ Day recognition event on the morning of the 20th. This year, due to cold weather, the growth of the flower buds has been slower, so the event was postponed. Nevertheless, participants set off from Ruisui Elementary School and enjoyed the fragrant aroma of pomelo blossoms along the entire 3-kilometer route, along with some intermittent appearances of delicate pink cherry blossoms — a truly refreshing experience.
Hurry if you want to go!“Dogo Onsen Honkan” to close completely for 7 years
The iconic “Dogo Onsen Honkan” in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan—reportedly one of the inspirations for Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away”—is set to close temporarily from autumn 2017 due to aging infrastructure. Seismic reinforcement work will be carried out, but reopening could take anywhere from five to seven years, so travelers should plan their visit soon.