Travel
A well-planned birdwatching trip！Essential knowledge about Taiwan’s bird classification you shouldn't miss
Many birdwatching enthusiasts own several different bird field guides, which come in both illustrated and photographic formats. Illustrated guides can highlight key differences between similar species in the drawings and depict all bird species within a region. Photos, on the other hand, capture the birds' habitats, offering a sense of realism, but it’s difficult to photograph every bird species in an area.
Japan’s Inujima Student Dormitory Looks Like a “Doghouse” — How Cool Would It Be to Live Here?
Along the coast of Inujima Island in Okayama, Japan, there’s a massive 5.1-meter-long dog lying on a seaside house, resembling a giant doghouse. This is actually a student dormitory for Sanyo High School in Okayama, Japan, and the oversized canine exterior serves as the building’s main visual feature.
You can only get a seat if you book early – four uniquely themed restaurants that accept reservations only
The harder it is to get, the more appealing it becomes – and food is no exception. In addition to limited-time offerings and well-known restaurant brands, all-reservation eateries often have their own special charm, which draws crowds. Eastern News Cloud has compiled a list of four unique reservation-only restaurants. If you want to dine there, be sure to book ahead!
Put on the designated wristband!“Exclusive VIP Access” lets you enter Universal Studios Japan ahead of the crowd
Universal Studios Japan now offers not just express passes for rides but also “fast entry” into the park. By wearing a designated wristband, you can enter the park faster than regular guests and skip the lines for popular attractions like the Flying Dinosaur and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter right now.
What to buy when traveling in Japan? Top 10 must-buy online shopping items
Even if you haven’t been asked to shop on someone’s behalf, you’ve probably heard of many people asking others to buy things for them in Japan, right? Daily View conducted a major online survey of Japanese shopping items over the past six months, and today we’re sharing the top ten results from the shopping item poll. For those planning to visit Japan or have friends and family going there, take a listen to the features of these Japanese products and consider adding them to your daily essentials list.
Walk across this glass bridge to Zhangjiajie – thrill-seekers can even try the world’s highest bungee jump
The glass bridge of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon in Hunan is set to open to the public soon. On the 25th, the scenic area once again invited members of the public to take turns smashing the bridge’s glass panels with a sledgehammer and even drove a car across to demonstrate its safety. It has been reported that the bridge will soon feature the world’s highest bungee jump and the world’s steepest zip line.
Lonely Gourmet Map: Spicy Curry Rice at a Hidden Izakaya in Tokyo’s Alleyways
If you ask me why I’d seek out “Lonely Gourmet” spots when Tokyo has so many great eateries, my answer might be “everyday food.” It may not be mind-blowingly delicious, but I love that vibe—just like Taiwan’s street snacks.
Best Views of Matsu’s Blue Tears — “No. 55 Youth Hostel” Officially Opens
After 10 months of preparation, No. 55 Youth Hostel, located in Jingsha Village on Nangan Island of Matsu, has officially commenced operations today. Catering primarily to backpackers, the hostel currently offers 22 beds. Moreover, it is also one of the best spots for observing the blue tears. If you're planning to chase this natural phenomenon, be sure to stay here.
"Do the less-hairy characters get more love?" Universal Studios Singapore's 5 stars are all bald
Universal Studios Singapore is one of the popular tourist destinations in the country. In addition to a variety of rides, cartoon characters often appear in the park, interacting with and taking photos with visitors of all ages. But if you look closely, you might notice an interesting phenomenon: "Do characters with less hair seem to be more popular in the park?"
Choose seasonal fruits for your icy treat—students love this dreamy-colorful slushie ice cream after school!
The first time I visited "2 in one Ice Cream Specialty Store," I was a little taken aback because I always thought it would be some trendy, fashion-forward ice cream shop... (since it has an English name, ya know? XD) But after just one visit, you’ll fall in love too—besides the auntie being super warm and friendly, the healthy desserts are so good I’d even let a kid have some (in moderation, of course)!
Welcome Song Joong Ki’s Stay at Mandarin Oriental Taipei: Unveiling the “5 Big Surprises”
Korean superstar Song Joong Ki visited Taiwan to hold a fan meeting and chose to stay in the Mandarin Suite at Mandarin Oriental Taipei. To allow the star to personally experience Taiwan’s warmth and thoughtful service, the hotel prepared five special surprises in his room. Among them were a panda plush toy dressed in the handsome military uniform from the drama “Descendants of the Sun” and an 8-kilogram luxury mega mango shaved ice, both of which thrilled Song Joong Ki immensely.
The first legend in Taiwan’s coffee history！First place at the 2016 World Coffee Championships – Wu Zelong takes the crown
The champion of the 2016 WBC (World Barista Championship) has been announced, with Taiwanese contestant Wu Zelong claiming the title, making him the first barista from Taiwan’s coffee scene to ever receive this prestigious honor！
No reservation, no entry！Taipei’s “private kitchen” restaurant with a million-dollar oven
J&J Private Kitchen is located on Beining Road, right on the first floor of the athletic stadium, but its exterior is very understated—you might just walk right past it.
To provide satisfactory service, Menya Itto Taiwan has temporarily suspended operations on the second floor.
The popular Japanese ramen shop Menya Itto has been open for two months, but on the 24th, President Sakamoto Yukihiko announced on a Japanese website that the quality currently offered at the Taiwan branch does not meet customer expectations. In order to deliver a service that satisfies guests, it has been decided to temporarily suspend operations on the second floor and operate only the first floor. To accommodate the reduced seating capacity, the Taiwan store will implement a numbering system to reduce customer waiting times.
Finally, it’s here—the Gashapon conveyor-belt sushi chain Kurazushi is coming to Kaohsiung!
After the opening of its fourth store at Mitsui Outlet Park, news has emerged about the fifth location of Japan’s top three conveyor-belt sushi chains, Kurazushi (くら寿司)! The fifth branch will be located in Hanshin Dome Shopping Mall in Kaohsiung, which is great news for all conveyor-belt sushi lovers in the city—finally, you can enjoy sushi while playing with gashapon!
World’s Most Beautiful “Sea Turtle Island” in Taiwan: 13 Turtles per Square Kilometer
As July arrives and sea turtle nesting season begins, Little Liuqiu, known as the most beautiful “Island of Sea Turtles,” also welcomes this annual event. Li Xu, a researcher at the Marine Ecology and Conservation Laboratory of National Taiwan Ocean University (also known as the Sea Turtle Lab), pointed out that although Little Liuqiu spans just 12 square kilometers, it is home to 163 sea turtles. On average, there are more than 13 turtles per square kilometer, making it the island with the highest sea turtle density in the world.
Explore the Kitchen at New Orleans Food Festival | Buy 1 Free 1 for 2 People on Lunch & Dinner from July 4 to 7
New Orleans, along with New York and San Francisco, is renowned as one of America’s three great food capitals, rich in cultural and historical heritage. Le Méridien Taipei’s popular buffet restaurant, The Kitchen, presents the New Orleans Food Festival from July 4 to August 31. From July 4 to July 7, enjoy an exclusive Buy 1 Free 1 offer for two diners during lunch and dinner. Price is NT$1,590 + 10% per adult, and NT$795 + 10% per child.
Only retro cafes in Xinhua serve purple-blue butterfly pea flower honey toast.
This year has seen an explosion of butterfly pea flower drinks across Taiwan, with many places joining the trend. But this nostalgic cafe in Xinhua District, Tainan, has long been using this secret ingredient in their dishes. In addition to their eye-catching “Butterfly Pea Flower Soda,” they’ve also created a stunning purple-blue “Butterfly Pea Flower Toast,” drizzled with sweet honey, making it a simple yet delicious treat.
A Must-Visit in Guam: The "Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica" with a Papal Connection
The Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica is one of the landmarks in Guam's Agana area and a place of worship for locals. The site was originally home to Guam's first Catholic church, which was demolished due to severe damage. In 1958, the current Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica was rebuilt on the same spot and has stood there ever since. Its pure white exterior stands out vividly against Guam’s bright blue skies and strong sunlight.
Experience an underwater bar in the world’s longest aquarium
The Under Water World Aquarium in Guam is the longest aquarium in the world, featuring a 97-meter-long underwater tunnel where you can see nearly 100 species of fish and over 2,000 marine creatures—an overwhelming variety. The aquarium hosts irregular feeding shows, where visitors can wear special diving gear to swim with the fish, or enjoy dinner and drinks in the tunnel at night, offering a one-of-a-kind underwater tunnel experience.