Travel
Hinoya Launches New Summer Dishes – Enjoy Japan’s Trendy Mizu Shingen Mochi Here Too
During the hot summer months, Hinoya has introduced a variety of new seasonal dishes perfect for the season, including cold appetizers such as seasonal vegetable bamboo shoots with jellyfish, refreshing cold tofu with yuzu ponzu, chilled clam soup, cold soba noodles with dipping sauce, and chilled sashimi platters. They’ve also added popular Japanese sweets to the menu.
October is when you can catch the World Fireworks Festival！ Budget flights to Busan start from just NT$1,100 one-way
Starting July 5, Air Busan will launch an early bird promotion for travel between October 1 and October 31, with one-way flights from Taipei / Kaohsiung to Busan starting at NT$1,100.
Exploding fruit tarts and milk candy cake rolls—a “magnetic” dessert full of surprises
Fruit is a common basic ingredient in cakes, and many pastry chefs take fresh fruits as their theme, creating unique flavors through creative twists. Located near Zhongshan MRT Station, illuminé by GAO offers not only a variety of exquisite fruit tarts but also an astonishing amount of fruit on its desserts. Additionally, the ultra-popular milk candy cake roll, with its refreshing and sweet taste, has driven netizens wild.
Hong Kong’s Only Seaside Direct-Operated “Sea Urchin Farm” – Fried Rice Topped with 20 Sea Urchins
Just a 15-minute boat ride from Sai Kung in Hong Kong lies a “sea urchin farm” worth mentioning. A small Chinese stir-fry eatery sits tucked away by the dock, with makeshift tables and chairs set up under a canopy. There, staff shuck sea urchins on the spot for immediate consumption, and there’s also a “sea urchin fried rice” dish made with over 20 sea urchins. The sweet and briny flavor of the sea urchins, paired with the sea breeze, creates a rare and unique sight to experience in Hong Kong.
EVA Air launches daily non-stop flights to Paris from October, round-trip fares starting at NT$21,428
Starting October 10, EVA Air will increase its Taipei–Paris flights from four times a week to seven. Among these, three weekly flights will continue to use the Hello Kitty-themed aircraft. Additionally, there are promotional round-trip fares starting at NT$21,428 from September to December.
Taichung’s hidden gem: A cozy bistro serving homestyle Italian with omakase options
Opening a restaurant isn’t hard, but creating one with warmth and soul takes more than just feeding customers. I want guests to feel *at home*—then they’ll always remember this ‘taste of home.’ Nestled in the alleys near Jincheng Road in West District lies 【Home Bistro｜HOME BISTRO】, an Italian eatery that goes beyond pasta and risotto. While these staples are on the menu, the real draw is the chef’s passion, the comfort of home, and the heartfelt hospitality. True to its name, laughter fills the space during mealtimes. Dress casually (anything but nude or just underwear!), even in slippers. Shed your inhibitions and enjoy pure flavors—and a pleasant buzz if you’d like.
Tigerair Taiwan launches "Payday Sale" One-way fares from NT$699 on 18 routes
Tigerair Taiwan will once again launch a payday-related promotion on its official website tomorrow (5th). This "PAY DAY" payday sale will cover all 18 of Tigerair Taiwan’s routes, including the Taoyuan-Gangshan route set to commence on July 14th of this month (July) and the Taoyuan-Hakodate route launching on August 12th next month (August), both of which are included in the promotion.
The Regent Taipei Launches Another All-You-Can-Eat Feast of Penghu Mabian Sea Urchins and Oysters – Available Only Until End of August
Celebrating its sixth anniversary, The Regent Taipei is once again offering an all-you-can-eat feast of Penghu Mabian sea urchins and oysters from July 11 to August 31, 2016. The fresh seafood is flown in daily from Taiwan. The offer is available during afternoon tea hours from Monday to Sunday and can be enjoyed alongside a variety of buffet dishes. The price is NT$1,380 per person plus 10% service charge. The Regent Taipei emphasizes that Penghu Mabian sea urchins are currently in peak season, and all suppliers are fully licensed and legitimate.
The limited-time four-month "Dinner in the Dark" strips away your vision while you dine.
What would it be like to eat in an environment where you can’t see your hand in front of your face? Surprise Lab. has brought the international experience "Dinner in the Dark" to Taiwan, aiming to help participants explore and understand their reactions—both outward (to food and conversation) and inward (senses and emotions)—in total darkness.
A unique attraction that only opened this year — the modern “Yu-Xiu Art Museum” nestled in Nantou’s mountain forests
Nantou has added another special attraction this year. Located in the Jiufeng Art and Ecology Park, the “Yu-Xiu Art Museum” features a modern architectural exterior that contrasts sharply with the surrounding forest. Sunlight streams directly through stone-like pillars, creating an atmosphere of elegance and refinement.
Take off in a dreamy hot air balloon ride！ A pet-friendly hotel in Taitung with a hot spring-fed pool
Can you imagine waking up and taking a dreamy hot air balloon ride to gaze at the blue sky, white clouds, and majestic mountain views? Just a 5-minute drive from Taitung’s Luye Gaotai, the Luming Hot Spring Hotel has specially designated an open green lawn where up to 50 guests can take a hot air balloon ride every morning. Due to increased summer vacation traffic, additional afternoon sessions have been added on holidays between July 1 and August 8.
Kurashiki Jeans Street in Okayama, Japan – The Asphalt Road Actually Looks "Jeans Blue"
When it comes to distinctive stations and districts in Japan, the area around “Kurashiki” in Okayama is definitely worth mentioning. Famous for its jeans production, from the moment you exit the station and head toward “Jeans Street,” you’ll see giant jeans sculptures, station staff dressed in denim, and even the station entrances and roads adorned with jeans. The asphalt road on the street is even dyed “jeans blue.”
The old residences in Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 have gotten a beautiful makeover—building graffiti turns into “residence murals” art
The first phase of the “Residence Murals—Pier-2 Neighbors’ Wall Creation Project” carried out by Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art District is nearing completion. Three participating artists—GIRENHAO, Reach, and Candy Bird—have used graffiti art to transform the exterior walls of residential buildings around Pier-2, giving aged houses a fresh new look and breathing new life into the old community.
Tigerair Taiwan's Zodiac Promotion: Starting Tomorrow, 3 Japanese Destinations from NT$1,299
Tigerair Taiwan will launch its "Monthly Zodiac Travel Plan" tomorrow (6th), featuring a Cancer zodiac promotion this month. Deals include one-way untaxed fares starting at NT$1,299 for Taipei Taoyuan–Tokyo Haneda, Taipei Taoyuan–Nagoya, or Taipei Taoyuan–Fukuoka, as well as one-way untaxed fares starting at NT$1,399 for Taipei Taoyuan–Osaka Kansai or Taipei Taoyuan–Tokyo Narita.
Every island deserves a bar like this — a youth-run venture next to a small temple on Little Liuqiu
This must be the kind of little shop every island resort should have. A tiny corner space of less than 10 pyeong (approx. 33 m²), with semi-outdoor seating, the shop specializes in craft beer. On summer evenings, as music plays softly, sit at the bar, sway gently, chat with the young owner about the times, finish a few bottles of beer, then walk back to your accommodation in the night breeze.
Layered Seafood Tower Now Available in Taipei Along with Budae Jjigae and Chuncheon Fried Chicken
The seafood tower that once caused a stir in Taichung is now available in Taipei too. Han Lao Da Korean BBQ Zheqiang combines the hottest Korean BBQ with the trendy seafood tower, satisfying cravings for both meat and seafood in one go. In addition, traditional Korean dishes such as Korean fried chicken, budae jjigae (Korean army stew), and Chuncheon fried chicken are also on the menu.
The Huamao mascot looks incredibly lifelike！ 32 mascots from across Taiwan will battle it out in Kaohsiung this September
The “2016 Taiwan Mascot PK Battle @ Kaohsiung” will kick off in September in Kaohsiung, with a total of 32 mascot teams from across Taiwan signing up to compete. The mascot PK battle is divided into the “Corporate Warriors Group” and the “Model Public Servants Group,” with three most distinctive mascots selected from each group, as well as one mascot that best represents the character of Kaohsiung. The Huamao mascot attended today’s (5th) press conference, and its strikingly lifelike and adorable appearance drew gasps of amazement.
Fried chicken cutlet & crispy egg waffles—your ultimate pocket guide to must-try eats in Kaohsiung’s Xinxingjiang area
That evening, we decided to stroll around the ‘Xinxingjiang Commercial Area.’ This time, I’d jotted down a couple of shops from Instagram, and the one I was most excited to visit was ‘Moodo topokki spicy stir-fried rice cakes’！ I still remember that night when the three of us shared two umbrellas—the weather went from no rain at all to a sudden downpour, leaving our feet completely soaked. Honestly, I’ve always loved being close friends with someone much younger, free from the constraints of adult expectations, letting her see the world in her own joyful way！^~^
Summer Trip to Taoyuan’s “Family Fun Route” – One-Day Ticket with Unlimited Boarding
With the peak summer travel season approaching, the Taoyuan City Government has launched the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Family Fun Route,” departing from Zhongli Station and passing through the Laotiexi River Education Center, Qinggengyudu Little Academy, Longtan Pond, Miniature Land, and Lihpao Land. Along the way, you can enjoy the natural, ecological, and cultural landscapes of southern Taoyuan, making it a perfect summer mini-trip. Everyone is welcome to join in with a relaxed mindset.
The weather is great before the typhoon hits！ Snow Mountain National Park offers views of the “Holy Ridge Line” and a spectacular Milky Way
As Typhoon Nepartak approaches Taiwan, although it has caused tension across various industries, it has also brought an unexpected “bonus” for many photography enthusiasts and travelers. On July 6th and 7th, Snow Mountain National Park enjoyed clear blue skies and white clouds. Not only could visitors admire the “Holy Ridge Line” from spots like the Cloudy Trail during the day, but the night sky was also crystal clear for stargazing — even the Milky Way was visible, much to the delight of both urban children and adults.