Travel
Explore Kumamoto & Experience Traditional Living in a Wooden Ryokan
Many people have probably stayed at a ryokan or minshuku (Japanese guesthouse), whether it’s the pricey ones in Taiwan or the communal dormitory-style ones in Japan. But staying at a farm stay? That’s something both unique and refreshing. The owner of “Frogs Nearby,” Mizuhara Masazumi, worked at a rural local government office. Nineteen years ago, he and his wife purchased a plot of land in “Kokubuncho,” located at the border between Kumamoto and Oita prefectures, as a plan for their retirement life.
Traveling without fear of turning into a caveman—free power banks in Seoul!
Many people rely heavily on their phones or other mobile devices when traveling abroad, whether for taking photos, checking in, or searching for information. Running out of battery can feel like the end of the world. To improve the quality of life for both travelers and residents, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has implemented the “IT SEOUL” policy, which includes a service that allows for free power bank rentals at designated subway station offices, museums, community centers, or public offices in the area.
Desserts need to be smashed before eating? Australia’s viral “Anna’s Exploding Planet” lands in Taiwan
Sweet-toothed foodies are in for a treat as Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei invites Anna Polyviou, the judge from the Australian version of “MasterChef” and dubbed the “Red Punk Queen,” to make a guest appearance from July 24 to 29. She will bring a selection of her best-selling, wildly popular Australian desserts, including the smash-before-eating “Anna’s Exploding Planet.”
Miaoli’s Super Dreamy Macaron-Themed Homestay – A Real-Life Fairy Tale World!
Nestled in the mountains of Miaoli, there are four dreamy macaron-style wooden cabins in pink, Tiffany green, yellow, and pink-orange. These uniquely colored cabins have an ultra-pastel exterior, surrounded by lush greenery, resembling fairy-tale houses hidden in the forest. There’s only one such homestay in this vast mountain area – you might just end up “owning the mountain” and becoming the king of the hills.
Summer vacation flights still available—Peach Aviation to Tokyo from NT$1,080, Osaka from NT$1,180
Starting at 00:00 on July 14, Peach Aviation is launching a promotional sale for Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa, with one-way Taipei–Tokyo tickets starting as low as NT$1,080.
The grand opening promotion of FENG FOOD was so popular that all 9,000 seats were booked within 12 hours
The new brand “FENG FOOD Seafood & Meat Buffet” from Dianhua BUFFET, located in Dazhi, officially opened on July 12. To celebrate the launch, FENG FOOD Seafood & Meat Buffet offered an exceptional promotion during the opening period from July 13 to July 17 — buy one get one free for two diners. The news quickly attracted a rush of reservations, and all 9,000 seats across all meal periods over the 5-day span were fully booked within just 12 hours.
Former Japanese-era liquor warehouse transformed into a cultural and creative restaurant in Hualien — “Heng Hao” preserves historical charm
With weathered walls and an air of nostalgia, old buildings always possess an indescribable charm. Stepping into the multifunctional restaurant “Heng Hao” located in the Hualien Cultural and Creative Park, you can clearly see traces of liquor jars on the floor — this was once a storage warehouse for a sake brewery during the Japanese colonial period. The 300-ping space now combines dining, floral art, a bookstore, a gift shop, and even a children's play area. While breathing new life into the building, it also retains its historical essence. Since its official opening in February this year, it has been a hot topic and has become a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists in Hualien.
Sushi then pho? Vanilla Air launches Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City route on September 14
Vanilla Air will start selling tickets for the Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City route at 13:00 on July 14. The airline plans to establish Taiwan as its second base and officially launch the Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City route on September 14. One-way fares start from NT$1,998 to NT$2,598 (excluding tax).
Limited-time only, burgers made with dry-aged beef – available at just these 2 places
Remember last year’s steak-grade handmade burger craze sparked by Buger Fix and Burger Ray? Thanks to the use of steak-grade minced meat, the burgers were juicy and tender, even allowing for medium-rare options. Now, the burger game has evolved further with the use of dry-aged beef. The Westin Taipei has invited The Butchers Club Burger for a guest appearance to launch a dry-aged beef burger, while The Regent Taipei also introduces the “US Premium 55-Day Dry-Aged Beef Burger.”
Watch the movie version of Chibi Maruko-chan before anyone else — the Zhubei Children’s Film Festival kicks off with Taiwan’s first screening!
The 2016 Zhubei Children’s Film Festival will officially begin on July 16th. This year’s theme is “Flight,” featuring over 50 films that will take children and adults alike on a cinematic journey where they can “dream of flying.” In addition to well-known animated favorites like the movie version of Chibi Maruko-chan, Snoopy, and Aladdin, the festival also includes a wide variety of genres such as documentaries and films adapted from children’s books, ensuring fun for both kids and grown-ups.
The romantic LOVE Viewpoint, once a three-star attraction, has become the dirtiest scenic spot — Surveillance cameras to be installed to catch violators
Since its opening last July, the LOVE View Platform in Sanyi Township, Yilan, a popular tourist attraction, has quickly become a favorite spot for visitors to take photos and check in. While it draws crowds, it has also brought environmental littering that significantly dampens the romantic atmosphere. Despite repeated clean-ups by the township office, the bad behavior persists, leading to the decision to install surveillance cameras and penalize offenders.
At Hitoyoshi Station in Kumamoto — Traveling Through the Edo Period to Discover Kumamoto’s Q< Shochu and Zassan Noodles
Located in southern Kumamoto, “Hitoyoshi” has three main industries: brewing, agriculture, and tourism. Before the highway was built, Hitoyoshi was a key transit hub connecting northern and southern Kyushu. The name “Hitoyoshi” is derived from splitting the character “舍” vertically into “人” and “吉,” and its role as a lodging and post town highlights its historical importance in Kyushu’s transportation network.
A lazy panda right on your cup！Indulge in therapeutic hand-shaken drinks on Yizhong Street.
These days, whenever you’re thirsty, you can easily find a hand-shaken drink to quench your thirst and cool off. But most cups from these shops simply feature their own logos. Have you ever thought that a hand-shaken drink cup could also have a therapeutic effect? This Sanxuan Tea House in Taichung has panda patterns printed on its cups—their lazy expressions are incredibly stress-relieving.
From the No. 1 pancake shop in Hawaii — Moena Cafe to open on July 20
The highly popular Hawaiian pancake shop Moena Cafe, which has gained immense popularity in Japan, is finally opening its first store in Taiwan, with the expected opening date set for July 20. Signature and fan-favorite items include the swirl pancakes, strawberry milk pancakes, and banana whipped cream pancakes. In addition to various types of pancakes, the shop also offers burgers, desserts, and classic Hawaiian dish Loco Moco.
Hualien's New Hotel Features a 3-Meter-High "Indoor Climbing Wall" Right Across from the Train Station
Dubbed Taiwan's first hotel with a 3-meter-high climbing space, "Hualien Shan Zhidao" initially felt different from expectations—its rooms didn’t offer mountain views, and its location in the city center didn’t match the imagined setting. After all, with a romantically bold name like "Shan Zhidao" (literally "The Mountain Knows"), one might expect it to be nestled in a misty canyon.
Travel to Japan’s Universal Studios after entering or leaving China — Tigerair Taiwan takes off with 180 passengers on the Taipei–Okayama route
Tigerair Taiwan officially launched its Taipei–Okayama route today (July 14), operating at full capacity with 180 passengers, becoming the first Taiwanese low-cost carrier to operate direct flights from Taoyuan Airport to Okayama, Japan. Passengers on the inaugural flight also received exclusive souvenirs, including a limited-edition inaugural postcard, a commemorative Japanese handkerchief, and an Okayama travel guide.
Vanilla Taipei–Osaka from just NT$988 Kaohsiung–Tokyo also on special
Starting July 15, Vanilla Air will launch promotional fares for Taipei–Osaka and Kaohsiung–Tokyo routes, with one-way tickets starting as low as NT$988 and NT$1,298 respectively.
You're missing out if you don't know about this yet—the Rainbow Church has become the latest hot spot for Instagram photos!
Want to take artistic photos while visiting Qijin but struggling to find the perfect spot? Check out the recently viral Rainbow Church—an art installation floating in the middle of the water. Its eye-catching exterior, paired with the clear blue sky (or sea) below, has attracted hordes of visitors. Just snap a photo, and you'll instantly have an incredibly atmospheric shot.
Taiwanese Travelers Love Checking In Globally—The “Ultimate Third Wheel” Upsets Their Partners
Mobile devices are the number one essential for Taiwanese travelers, according to the latest report from Hotels.com’s Mobile Travel Survey. It turns out that when Taiwanese people travel abroad, they’re not really relaxing but instead spending time responding to social media posts from friends. Their enthusiasm for checking in has even earned them the top spot globally, almost driving their partners crazy.
Local Favorites: 4 Must-Try Eateries in Jiaoxi, Yilan
Since the opening of the Xueshan Tunnel, traveling from the Greater Taipei area to Yilan has become much more convenient. Among the destinations, Jiaoxi, known for its hot springs, is a popular weekend getaway. Aside from soaking in the springs, trying local delicacies is a must. So, what’s good to eat in Jiaoxi? Lin Yiping, a food and travel journalist with 15 years of experience who now lives in Yilan, recommends four great eateries. Be sure to check them out on your next visit to Jiaoxi.