Travel
Essential Tips on Japan’s “Maneki-neko” Lucky Cats: 8 Colors and Gestures with Hidden Meanings
Maneki-neko (lucky cat) merchandise is one of the must-buy souvenirs for many Taiwanese travelers visiting Japan. In fact, for the Japanese, the benefits of these cats go far beyond just attracting wealth—their actual name in Japanese is “Manekineko,” which means “beckoning cat.” Depending on their color and the position of their paws, each has a unique meaning.
No one's flying planes here!* China Airlines cancels over 100 Japan flights from July to September
Travelers heading to Japan, take note!* From July to September, China Airlines has canceled multiple flights between Taiwan and Japan, affecting routes such as Taipei–Tokyo (Narita), Taipei–Sapporo, and Taipei–Osaka (Kansai).
Classic home-style dish from the men’s kitchen: tender and bouncy steamed eggs made easy!
Eggs are an essential ingredient in most households, and steamed eggs are a classic dish that everyone knows how to make. But how do you steam them to achieve that “tender, bouncy, smooth, and delicate” texture? Today, I’m sharing these must-know tips for making perfect steamed eggs!!
Feel the "motion" of baseball in the "stillness" of a library – Trial operation begins at Xinzhuang Touqian Smart Library
With summer vacation approaching, New Taipei City’s first campus smart library, the “Xinzhuang Touqian Smart Library,” officially began its trial operation on June 21. Covering an area of about 80 pyeong (approximately 264 square meters), the library houses a collection of over 23,000 books. It operates entirely via self-service — visitors only need an EasyCard library card to easily borrow and return books. The library also offers periodical lending. Additionally, as it is located near the Xinzhuang Sports Park, the interior is designed with a baseball theme to create a sporty atmosphere, allowing visitors to enjoy the “motion” of baseball while immersed in the “stillness” of the library.
Explore Greece by Land and Sea: Romantic Island-Hopping by Cruise & the Breathtaking Sky-High Meteora
The land of the gods, Greece, is not only steeped in legends but also boasts otherworldly beauty. The Sky-High Meteora and the numerous islands of the Aegean Sea resemble scenes from mythology. Have you seen them?
Slow Travel in Nordic Summer: Listen to the Natural Symphony of Iceland’s Blue Ice Caves and Norway’s Fjords
Iceland’s landscape features volcanoes, lakes, plains, glaciers, as well as waterfalls and geysers. The unique blue hot spring lake, rich in minerals, offers travelers the experience of soaking in an extreme environment. The hidden blue ice cave is located in Iceland’s second-largest glacier—Langjökull Glacier. By taking a super glacier truck, you can cross the ice cap to reach the entrance of the glacier tunnel, then venture inside to admire the ice formations formed hundreds of years ago. The deeper you go, the older the ice becomes, and the darker its color.
For eight years she was the cutout figure—short-haired ‘China Airlines’ top stewardess’ shows up to support the strike
The China Airlines flight attendants’ strike began this evening (June 23) in front of the Taipei branch office. Under the union’s call, over 500 flight attendants gathered at the scene to voice their demands. Among the many flight attendants, Xiao Ruping, who once served as China Airlines’ cutout figure and calendar model, also wore a strike-supporting blue ribbon and vest, becoming an eye-catching presence.
China Airlines flight attendants go on strike! Tourism Bureau announces “refund principles for tour group participants”
China Airlines has encountered a major labor dispute. On the evening of the 23rd, the Taoyuan City Flight Attendants’ Union initiated a strike in front of China Airlines’ Taipei branch. The Tourism Bureau has announced the relevant refund principles for tourists participating in tour groups. Travelers can seek assistance from their travel agencies according to the following rules or file a complaint with the Travel Quality Assurance Association.
“Flight attendants’ strike” leads to flight cancellations; travel insurers: no compensation!
Many travelers habitually purchase “travel inconvenience insurance” when going abroad to protect themselves against issues such as flight delays or cancellations. However, if the situation involves “China Airlines flight attendants striking, causing flight delays,” property insurance companies state: they will not be liable for compensation!
Make a smoothie with fruit juice to create a beautiful and refreshing rainbow.
There's nothing more refreshing than sipping a smoothie on a hot summer day. Beyond the usual smoothies, a Korean fried chicken shop in Tainan’s Zhengxing Street, “Kim Dafei Korean Fried Chicken,” has launched vibrantly colored rainbow fruit juice smoothies. Owner Huang said that their smoothies are made purely from fruit juice without any artificial coloring. However, these rainbow smoothies are only available on weekends, with a daily limit of about 80 bottles, each priced at NT$70.
Cabin crew strike begins at midnight on the 24th; China Airlines: Presidential flight operations unaffected
The Taoyuan City Flight Attendants’ Union announced a strike starting at midnight on the 24th, which may affect China Airlines flight operations. China Airlines stated that it has activated an emergency response team, adhering to the principles of flight safety first and passengers as the top priority, and is making every effort to dispatch available personnel and arrange flight adjustment plans, aiming to minimize the impact. China Airlines deeply regrets and apologizes for any inconvenience caused to passengers.
Okayama, Japan’s “Maneki-neko Museum” – 700 collectibles fill a century-old house
Among Japan’s many lucky charms, the “maneki-neko” (beckoning cat) holds an important place. With its adorable and endearing appearance, and varying meanings based on color and gesture, it is one of the most beloved lucky home decorations that Japanese people enjoy collecting. In the mountains about a 30-minute drive from downtown Okayama, there is a museum housing over 700 maneki-neko figures, hidden amidst lush greenery. It is a magical, mystical spot that the Japanese make a point to visit during the New Year.
Spicy hot pot in Kaohsiung！Handmade meatballs, dumplings, and an ultra-labor-intensive broth
Reservation-only spicy hot pot x hand-stirred broth x handmade specialty meatballs & dumplings, hidden lunch menu x signature desserts, leaving a deep impression！
Flight attendants push for strike, pilots demand leave – China Airlines: Passengers can get full refunds
Due to pilots taking compensatory leave, China Airlines has canceled over 100 Taiwan-Japan flights between July and September, affecting passengers. The airline stated that for the three canceled Japan flights, it will offer free rebooking or refund options for affected travelers. Additionally, in the event of a potential future cabin crew strike, China Airlines will also provide solutions such as fee-free ticket refunds.
The "Twin-Tower Ridgeback Bridge" in Changhua lights up at night, resembling a luminous ribbon laid across the land
A massive light art installation has recently been erected on the Changhua Plain. The Changhua County Government has created the country's first "Diamond-Type Twin-Tower Ridgeback Bridge," which serves as an access road to the Changhua High-Speed Rail Station. Currently undergoing nighttime lighting tests, colorful LED lights are casting multi-layered hues on the bridge towers and stay cables, attracting many visitors and photography enthusiasts to capture this stunning sight.
HOTEL WO Boutique Hotel in Kaohsiung Will No Longer Accept Mainland Tour Groups Starting July
Due to the decline in the number of mainland tour groups visiting Taiwan, HOTEL WO in Kaohsiung’s Qianjin District revealed that, considering the overall environment and profit concerns, it will no longer accept mainland tour groups starting July. In the future, the hotel will shift its focus to package tours from regions such as Hong Kong, Macau, Europe, and the United States. As for individual travelers, the hotel is targeting independent mainland travelers and visitors from central and northern Taiwan.
Falling in Love at Café de Flore: The Celebrity-Favorite Literary Café
At Café de Flore, Sartre and Camus completed their "existentialism," and even Xu Zhimo once visited. But among the café’s artistic romance, the most famous story is still that of Sartre and Beauvoir’s love affair...
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received multiple reports of Taiwanese citizens being scammed in Istanbul, often near well-known tourist attractions.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently received several reports of Taiwanese tourists being scammed by local groups while traveling in Istanbul, Turkey. The scam involves luring travelers to specific locations near famous tourist spots, where they are then overcharged and pressured into paying inflated bills.
Secret "Sanshan North Creek" Canyoning Experience in Hualien – Take a Leap into a 2-Meter-Deep Pool from the Cliff
When it comes to water activities in Hualien, canyoning—navigating through giant rocks and deep pools amid stunning landscapes—is an experience not to be missed. For those looking to avoid the crowds, the lesser-known "Sanshan North Creek," often referred to as a hidden gem, not only offers a tranquil setting but also allows first-timers to tackle various challenges such as rock climbing and jumping off boulders into deep pools during a 3- to 4-hour upstream journey, leaving you with an incredible sense of accomplishment at the end.
Think you're a matcha lover? You haven't truly earned the title until you've tried these 5 must-eat matcha cakes and desserts in Taipei
When the weather gets warmer, the urge to meet up with friends for afternoon tea grows stronger. Enjoying sweet treats in an air-conditioned room is pure bliss, especially when it comes to matcha-flavored products—the tea aroma is simply soothing. ETtoday ETToday News Cloud has handpicked 4 shops offering a total of 5 essential matcha desserts. Claiming to be a matcha fan without trying these will only get you laughed at.