Travel
Sit back and stay blessed — Taichung’s Mazu Culture Shuttle Bus now open for registration on the 11th
As Mazu embarks on her pilgrimage, hop on the culture shuttle to explore century-old Mazu temples Up！The “2016 Mazu Culture Shuttle — Mazu on Pilgrimage” will run 25 shuttle bus trips from April 23 to May 29, taking participants to visit 12 century-old Mazu temples across Taichung City. The event also features fun traditional folk activities and DIY workshops. Registration is open from April 11 to April 12.
Michelin-recommended too！ A Ginza ramen shop specializing in chicken and clams
Ramen is probably one of the must-try foods for many people traveling to Japan, but after a few trips you’ll realize there are just too many ramen shops in Japan—it’s hard to decide where to go first. So people usually refer to Japanese food apps, follow “foodie” tips from Taiwanese bloggers, or go with recommendations from friends or family who have been before. The shop I’m introducing this time is a bit different—it’s one of the 22 Tokyo ramen shops recommended by Michelin in their 2015 guide, announced at the end of 2014.
See Taiwan’s first British consulate and set sail in just 100 minutes – Kaohsiung’s “Swinhoe Adventure” is super popular
There’s more to exploring Kaohsiung than Pier-2 and Love River. The Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau has recently promoted the land-and-sea “Swinhoe Adventure,” which lets visitors climb up to the British Consulate and then take a boat ride around Kaohsiung Harbor. The whole trip takes about 100 minutes, allowing travelers to enjoy views from the consulate’s hilltop residence down to its offices at the base of the hill, and even board a boat to tour Kaohsiung Harbor—experiencing the beauty and wonder that Taiwan’s first consul felt upon first arriving in Taiwan.
50 years of local flavor from grandma’s kitchen – handmade sausages, rice blood cake, and pork intestines
Rooted in Kaohsiung’s Chishan area for over 50 years, the small act of licking pig intestines with their tongues to ensure they’re free of odor is just one way they make sure their traditional handmade sausages taste the best. They rarely raise prices — selling 20 NT sausages even through home delivery — not for the volume, but so that the kids of Kaohsiung who’ve grown up eating them can still enjoy a taste of home even after moving away to chase their dreams.
Chinese tourists climbing trees and picking cherry blossoms spark Japanese media’s new term “Chinese-style hanami”
As Japan enters cherry blossom season, the number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting the country for hanami has surged. However, recent reports in Japanese media have revealed that some visitors climb trees, pull down branches for photos, and even pluck blossoms to wear on their heads. Following the term “explosive buying,” Japanese media have now coined the new phrase “Chinese-style hanami.” In response, a TV host suggested setting up designated photo zones for Chinese tourists.
Lukfook Group Launches Wedding Banquet Services for All Guest Segments Starting at NT$12,800 per Table
The Lukfook Travel Group has united its three flagship hotels—the The Westin Taipei Lukfook Palace, Courtyard by Marriott Taipei, and Lukfook Inn—to jointly launch a “full guest segment” wedding banquet service. In terms of pricing, the starting price per table is NT$22,800 at The Westin Taipei Lukfook Palace, NT$16,800 at Courtyard by Marriott Taipei, and NT$12,800 at Lukfook Inn.
Show off your body and feast your eyes on Taiwan’s top 10 surfing spots loved by foreigners too!
The beach is not only a paradise for showing off your body and enjoying the view, but also a second home for many “surfers.” Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Taiwan actually hides many world-class surfing destinations that attract numerous international surfing pros to showcase their skills. In response, online trend tracker DailyView has ranked Taiwan’s top 10 surfing “hotspots.” If you’re a surfing enthusiast, be sure to stake out your spot early. And if you're not into surfing, soaking up the sun and enjoying the scenery is still a great choice!
Huatai Hotel Group's Kaohsiung Travel Fair Mega Sale – Rooms from as low as 35% off
The 2016 Kaohsiung International Travel Fair is about to kick off. Huatai Hotel Group has launched two dining and accommodation packages — “Explore Taipei” and “Stroll in Kenting” — with discounts as steep as 35% off. The online travel fair will also go on sale at 12:00 noon on April 13.
Experts reveal 17 must-know tips for flight attendant exams – Could being seen as 'old and overweight' actually be a plus?
Becoming a flight attendant is a dream job for many. In the recent “Most Desired Employers for the New Generation” survey published by Cheers magazine, EVA Air and China Airlines also ranked in the top 10. This year, EVA Air plans to recruit 600 flight attendants in Taiwan, while airlines such as Scoot and V Air have also released flight attendant recruitment openings, enticing many job seekers to give it a try.
U-Fly A330 undergoes routine maintenance; Hokkaido flights cut by 7 per week until mid-May
U-Fly Airways originally operated 14 weekly flights to Hokkaido, but its April and May flight schedules show a significant reduction to just 7 flights per week, leading to speculation that passenger numbers may be lower than expected. On the 8th, U-Fly Airways clarified that the recent changes to its international flights were mainly due to aircraft undergoing scheduled maintenance and fleet scheduling adjustments, with normal operations expected to resume on May 15.
Visual Russia: A Close-Up of History and Architecture & A Closer Look at the Crimean Peninsula
By the Swallow Lake on the Crimean Peninsula, the Swallow’s Nest perched on the cliffs facing the Black Sea stands majestically and imposingly. Featured as the cover image of the Ukraine travel guide published by Lonely Planet, it has an extraordinary presence and has become an iconic landmark of the Crimean Peninsula, also ranking high on every traveler’s must-visit list.
Stay at Unique Lodges in Kenyan National Parks & Watch Discovery-Style Wildlife Drama Unfold
With the dry season approaching, herds of wildlife trek across the East African plains from late June to early September each year in search of lush grazing grounds. This annual "Great Migration" unfolds like an action-packed blockbuster, with vast columns of animals forming one of the most spectacular wildlife movements on Earth.
A Taiwanese bread shop in Tamsui! Hiding the ultra-popular "pineapple buns" that burst with flavor
After finishing the giant steak at Fanpolin in Sanzhi and getting ready to head home, I suddenly remembered there’s a very popular pineapple bun shop in Tamsui. It was on the way back, so I thought I’d check it out.
Can't eat all you want for under 300 NT anymore? Capital Gourmet switches to all-day brunch starting April!
Capital Gourmet, known for its all-you-can-eat meals for under 300 NT, will start offering a new “All Day Brunch” format from April 1st (Nanjing Branch: 11:00–14:00, Songshan Branch: 11:00–21:00). À la carte prices range from 120 NT to 680 NT, with no service charge. And until April 30th, diners who order a main dish can enjoy unlimited self-service drinks from the beverage bar.
Yilan Summer Water Fun Special: A Lazy Guide to 30 "Water Play Spots"!
Looking for water fun in summer?! Yilan boasts a unique environment and cool, clean water—hot springs, cold springs, streams, and even beachcombing~~ It’s all collected here!!
Not for the acrophobic: Step Into The Void, the cliff-edge glass room at Aiguille du Midi, will make your legs wobble the moment you step in
Located at an altitude of 3,842 meters, France’s Aiguille du Midi is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, offering fairy-tale views that Dickens once praised as “a paradise between earth and heaven.” Take a steep cable car ride to the summit and challenge yourself with the glass room nicknamed “Step Into The Void” (Step Into The Void)—a transparent, five-sided structure that lets you gaze 1,000 meters down into the valley, instantly making your legs go weak upon entering.
Crying shame: Hualien loses its late-night eats — Gongzheng Baozi and Miao Kou Black Tea no longer 24/7
Hualien is known for many 24-hour eateries, including the internet-famous Gongzheng Baozi, Zhou Family Steamed Dumplings, and Miao Kou Black Tea, which see steady crowds even late at night. These spots have long been must-visits for travelers to Hualien. But in recent years, with a 30% drop in independent mainland Chinese tourists, shops are struggling to hire staff and can no longer keep up 24-hour service. Both tourists and locals are lamenting the loss, now complaining that there’s simply nothing to eat late at night in Hualien anymore.
Fast Food Showdown: The Hottest Burgers Right Now!
The Ultimate Burger Battle is Heating Up! When it comes to fast food restaurants, one of the must-try dishes has to be the variety of burgers each offers! With everyone loving burgers, which flavor truly reigns supreme? DailyView’s Online Thermometer has revealed the top 10 most beloved fast food burgers among netizens—come see who’s the undisputed king of burgers!
Lunch Exclusive: Tokyo Izakaya Offers “All-You-Can-Eat Sashimi” for Just NT$330 Per Person
Eating generous portions of fresh and delicious sashimi in Japan can be pricey, but an all-you-can-eat service now offered at an izakaya in Asakusabashi, Tokyo might be perfect for sashimi lovers. For just ¥1,100 (around NT$330), you can enjoy all-you-can-eat sashimi for 50 minutes, along with unlimited rice and miso soup—great value for those with big appetites.
Brushed with an exclusive sauce, the meat is flavorful and chewy – A must-try local duck dish on Jinshan Old Street
On a short trip to Jinshan, you can’t miss the famous Jinshan Duck Stall at the temple entrance of Jinshan Jinkoubao Old Street. This place has long been a go-to spot for locals, offering not just a unique dining experience but also a glimpse into the rich local food culture. Instead of the usual self-service style, here you can simply choose your seat, and the staff will serve you without needing to flag anyone down. If you’re traveling with international friends and want to introduce them to a distinctive Taiwanese culinary experience, this is the perfect spot to showcase the unique food culture of northern Taiwan.