Taiwan’s first-ever mall where you can check in for flights in advance – Kaohsiung’s “Taroko Mall Caoya” – will officially open on May 9. In addition to 220 brands setting up shop in the shopping mall, many exclusive amusement facilities touted as “the first in Taiwan” have also drawn attention. Below is a roundup of 5 key attractions where visitors of all ages, from families to couples, can find fun tailored to their tastes.
Counting your own experience of being pickpocketed might even become an important part of your travel story, but can it be avoided? The UK's Daily Mail recently compiled a list of the most pickpocket-prone tourist spots in nine major European cities—a must-read pre-travel guide for travelers. Here are those locations:
As deep autumn arrives, Japan offers not only the beauty of red leaves but also the splendor of ginkgo trees. The long rows of ginkgo-lined streets create golden avenues across Tokyo, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale golden realm. ETtoday Travel Cloud has compiled a list of must-see and highly photogenic ginkgo spots in Tokyo—don’t miss your chance to visit them!
Do you still remember your grandfather’s taste? Recently, Goodtime Café in Tainan launched a watermelon milk drink named “Yaya Watermelon Juice,” made with all-natural brown sugar and fresh milk. It’s whipped up fresh without adding a single drop of water, resulting in a vivid red-and-white color that’s super soothing to look at. But behind this beverage lies a little story—a legacy passed down from grandfather and grandmother—that gave birth to Yaya Watermelon Juice.
Minsheng Community is a place I hadn’t visited many times before. The streets here aren’t as bustling as those in the East District. It’s been over a year since the Songshan-Xindian Line of the MRT opened, and now there are ubikes available near Nanjing Sanmin Station, which makes things much more convenient.
Tainan has numerous night markets, and the ones open each day vary, so visitors from other cities who want to explore famous ones like Dadao Night Market or Garden Night Market always need to first figure out their operating hours. Renowned illustrator 人2 x People2 has specially created an incredibly easy-to-remember “Tainan Night Market Mnemonic”—just remember it, and you’ll know which night markets are open on which days!
In the past, camping spots were mostly located in mountainous areas or private farms. The seaside was rarely chosen due to inconvenient transportation and unfavorable weather conditions for setting up camps. However, with the recent rise of attractions like the Crystal Church and the development of coastal roads, many camping enthusiasts have broken away from traditional models and flocked to try "coastal camping."
Although planes can be spotted in the sky around airports, there are several popular locations that offer great views, unique angles, and even the chance to enjoy an afternoon tea — savoring the thrill of watching planes with a cup of coffee in hand. ETtoday Ettoday Cloud News has specially compiled a list of popular plane-spotting spots near Taipei Songshan Airport and Taoyuan Airport, giving more people the opportunity to watch planes take off and land up close.
Must-try old-school eateries in Yunlin Huwei: [Huwei Squid Ball Soup], [Wang Family Angelica Duck Noodle Soup], [Huwei Public Security Road Meatballs], [Tangshan Rice Ball Bowl | Jun Chao? Bo? ⑹ Lao Qie? Shou Song? Cai Ji Ju Si An? Sou?], and the famously stinky [Dog Poop Noodles]. Huwei Town is the second most important cultural, educational, commercial, and industrial hub in Yunlin County, with a sizable population and many local snacks that have been passed down for decades. I had never been to Huwei before, but during my southern trip last summer, I specially set aside a few hours to indulge in food and fun there.
Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan has long been revered as a sacred mountain by locals, with countless legendary tales passed down through the ages, earning it the title of "the foremost sacred mountain of western Hunan." Its most iconic attraction, Tianmen Cave, stands approximately 130 meters high and over 50 meters wide, carved vertically into sheer cliffs on both the north and south sides. Year-round clouds and mist envelop the area, and when billowing fog drifts by while rays of sunlight pierce through the cave, it gives the impression of a gateway to the heavens.
Japan’s Kumamoto was hit by two strong earthquakes in April, causing severe damage to the area. To express gratitude for Japan’s assistance following the Meinong earthquake in February this year, as well as to show support for the residents of Kumamoto, the Tainan City Government has launched the “Cheer Up Kumamoto – Stand Up with Kumamoto” prayer campaign starting today at Tainan Railway Station, THSR Tainan Station, and Tainan Airport. Prayer trees have been set up at these locations, allowing travelers to leave messages of support and care for Kumamoto.
When it comes to Taiwanese street food, “Lu Rou Fan” always ranks first in my heart. And when I say “Lu Rou Fan,” my top flavor choice is only “Xiao Wang.” Even after five or six years, my love hasn’t changed. In that time, I’ve eaten at no fewer than 200 Lu Rou Fan shops, yet among the 50 that inspire me to write about them, Xiao Wang remains firmly on the list.
In just six months, Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market will relocate to the new Toyosu Market. Sushi establishments located in the Inner Market, such as Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi, will follow suit, prompting many to rush there for a final visit out of fear they’ll no longer be able to enjoy fresh nigiri sushi. However, lately, lines at Sushi Dai have been getting longer and wait times even longer, with some people starting to queue as early as the middle of the night. In truth, you don’t need to go through all that trouble to enjoy great sushi.
The Lady M pop-up event has been so popular that they’ve decided to add 300 more classic layer cakes. From May 10 to 13, the Regent Gourmet Fine Foods on B2 of Grand Formosa Regent Hotel will offer a Lady M classic layer cake single-slice afternoon tea service (limited to 120 servings per day) as well as a take-away pack of two single slices (limited to 90 packs per day). Additionally, shoppers at Regent Gourmet Fine Foods who spend NT$5,000 or more on the same day’s receipt can also use the receipt to purchase one classic layer cake 9T (priced at NT$2,600) per day (limited to 50 cakes per day).
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the UK will open its first rollercoaster-style conveyor-belt restaurant at the Alton Towers amusement park, where meals will rotate along a track over 300 meters long before reaching you.
The daily pressures of life can leave us all breathless, with few chances to truly unwind. Do you long to find a restaurant where you can gaze at stunning views, sit back quietly to enjoy your meal, and let the breeze gently brush past? Walkerland has compiled a list of eight breathtaking restaurants across Taiwan. Check out the list and go treat yourself to a little moment of joy.
Pink in spring and red in autumn are Kyoto’s most iconic colors, but the fresh green hues that symbolize nature’s renewal in spring and summer are also a must-see spectacle for travelers visiting Kyoto at this time. At the renowned maple-viewing spot “Rurikoin Temple,” visitors can now see the lush greenery in the courtyard gradually spreading from the outside in, dyeing the entire ancient temple in green. Even the floors reflect vibrant emerald tones. There’s only a one-month window to enter Rurikoin Temple for viewing, starting now.
Travel Center / Comprehensive Report The Lishin Garden Hotel has officially celebrated its 10th anniversary since opening. In addition to offering classic American cuisine elements such as pork ribs across 40 menu items at the Rainforest Restaurant, diners who are celebrating their birthdays that month can enjoy a special birthday promotion of “3 people pay, 1 free.” Guests who stay one night at the hotel and spend NT$2,000 or more on dining can receive one lottery ticket upon presenting their receipt. Prizes include an all-you-can-eat meal voucher from the Rainforest Restaurant for 365 days, round-trip air tickets for two between Taipei and Okinawa, and grand prizes such as a 2-day-1-night motorcycle trip.
The "2016 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta" will kick off on July 1 at Luye Gaotai in Taitung, continuing last year’s highly popular hot air balloon sunrise light show. This year, the organizers have planned six hot air balloon light performances, and the shows will not be limited to Luye Gaotai — they can also be seen in Zhiben Hot Springs, Taimali, and downtown Taitung.
Following the two Shangri-La Far East Hotels in the north and south, the Far East Group and Shangri-La International Hotel Group have once again collaborated to establish the “Mega 50 Dining & Banquet” venue on the top floors—48th to 50th—of the “Mega Tower,” the newest and tallest building in New Taipei City owned by the Far East Group, located in the prime area of Xinzhuang Special District. The Cantonese restaurant “Moonlit” on the 48th floor is set to open on May 24.