Travel
Eight light sculptures take turns to shine Chiayi’s “Stiletto Chapel” to light up at night starting July 22
The Chiayi “Stiletto Chapel,” which became a popular attraction shortly after its launch earlier this year, has been named one of the hottest spots of 2016. The National Scenic Area Administration, Yunlin-Kaohsiung-Tainan, recently announced that it will host a nighttime lighting event on July 22 and 23, along with a folk music concert, allowing visitors to enjoy a different ambiance from the daytime.
Vanilla Air Taipei–Ho Chi Minh City one-way from NT$588 — autumn getaway to Vietnam for pho
Vanilla Air, which is expected to launch flights between Taipei and Ho Chi Minh City on September 14, is offering its first promotional sale for this route starting July 22, with one-way untaxed fares starting from NT$588.
Latest wedding attraction in Guam: New museum with blue light shining through tree leaves
Guam has a brand-new spot for wedding photos and ceremonies. The newly opened "Guam Museum" is set to debut before the end of 2016. Although called a museum, it features a uniquely localized design style that creates a stunning triangular roof with light filtering through as if from interlaced tree leaves. The colorful light inside is truly breathtaking.
Scoot offers round-trip flights from Kaohsiung to Singapore from NT$3,003 including taxes and fees – a great deal for those in southern Taiwan
From 10:00 on July 22 to 23:59 on July 24, Scoot is launching a promotion for flights between Kaohsiung and Singapore, with round-trip fares starting from just NT$3,003 including taxes and fees.
Yilan’s “Over-the-Top” Pasta！Shrimp and clams are all super-sized
This restaurant is the most impressive one I’ve dined at in Yilan recently. Normally, the main dish is the star, and it being delicious is pretty standard — but even the sides are incredibly well thought out, with a surprise five-star plating. The overall quality of the meal is exceptionally high. I think even Eason Chan would jump for joy after eating this. I left the meal completely satisfied, especially since the prices are extremely reasonable. Highly recommend this high-value-for-money gem of a restaurant.
A retro museum café in the alleys of Taipei’s East District recreates Taiwan’s 1950s scene
Hidden in the alleys along Guangfu South Road in Taipei, there’s a nostalgic café—Museum Coffee of the 1950s. From the exterior to the interior decor, the café is infused with a strong 1950s and 1960s vibe. Does this place feel familiar? Actually, the owner is the designer behind the Nichiyo Honpo Museum on Ximending. Both Nichiyo Honpo and Museum Coffee authentically recreate the atmosphere of the Showa era.
Itoh Kyuemon's First Taiwan Store Opens on July 27 – Matcha Parfait Only for Dine-In
The first overseas directly operated branch of Itoh Kyuemon, the renowned Japanese matcha specialty shop, is set to officially open at noon on July 27. The in-store menu will feature only the “Matcha Parfait,” available in limited daily quantities and while supplies last. Takeaway items include matcha daifuku, matcha raw chocolate, and matcha cappuccino. As for the matcha roll cake, it will be available in limited quantities starting at the end of August.
Narita Airport installs 116 new self-service check-in kiosks, available to passengers of all 17 Star Alliance airlines
Star Alliance has added 116 self-service check-in counters in the South Wing of Terminal 1 at Tokyo Narita Airport. The new setup allows passengers to print both boarding passes and baggage tags simultaneously, offering a more efficient and diverse range of check-in options. This makes Star Alliance the first airline alliance in Japan to introduce self-service check-in and self-bag drop services for international travelers.
The rooftop features an "infinity hot spring pool" — Silks Group opens its first hot spring hotel in Jiaoxi
Silks Hotels & Resorts Group’s first boutique hot spring resort hotel, "Wellspring Resort by Silks," recently opened in Jiaoxi, Yilan. One of its highlights is the largest rooftop open-air infinity hot spring pool in northern Taiwan, offering views of Guishan Island and the Lanyang Plain.
An unfinished World War II tunnel has become a popular water-friendly park today.
It was Japan’s Tanabata (originally celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, but changed to the Gregorian calendar after the Meiji Restoration), and I visited the Miyauchi section of the Takamori Railway Tunnel. This was supposed to be an important tunnel that the former “Nan-Aso Railway” would pass through on its way to Takamori Station. However, the tunnel was never completed. The reason: halfway through construction, workers discovered a large area of groundwater springs, forcing them to abandon the development plan.
60% of travelers hope for overseas encounters — Tokyo crowned the “easiest place to have a romantic fling”
An online survey conducted by a travel service provider explored the travel and dating attitudes of Taiwanese men and women aged 20–40. Based on a sample of over a thousand respondents, nearly 60% of locals have fantasized about a romantic encounter abroad, yet only around 20% have actually experienced one. Among those who have had real-life romantic encounters, the top five cities deemed easiest for such experiences are Tokyo, Paris, New York, Osaka, and Hong Kong.
Competing in the Stunning Guam Triathlon — Taiwanese Athlete Yu Kai Wins Men's Overall Championship
The "Guam Standard Triathlon" recently concluded successfully. The race started at 7:00 AM on July 17 at Merizo Pier in southern Guam, attracting 100 participants from both home and abroad. Taiwanese athletes achieved outstanding results by taking the men's overall championship. The Guam Visitors Bureau stated that in addition to the triathlon, there will be several sporting events in the second half of the year, inviting travelers to visit Guam and take on the challenge.
The pink rolled ice cream is super dreamy—a specialty "Thai-style stir-fried ice" shop hidden in Taipei’s alleys
This summer’s frozen treats aren’t just about taste—they’re competing on creativity and eye-catching appeal too A recently opened French-style "Thai-style stir-fried ice" specialty shop in an alley in Taipei’s East District not only makes each order fresh but also decorates it with bear cookies, Oreos, and marshmallows. Its cute, colorful appearance and sweet-yet-not-cloying taste have instantly won over fans with a sweet tooth.
Insisting on Overhead Storage Space: Passenger Damages Cathay Pacific A350 Ceiling
On a Cathay Pacific A350 flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok, a passenger forcibly removed part of the aircraft’s “ceiling” in an attempt to store luggage, not only causing damage to the plane but also delaying the flight by three hours and affecting the travel plans of 280 passengers.
Urban Space Transforms into a Sports Arena – Must-See Highlights of Taichung’s “Green Circle Art Festival”
The annual 2016 “Green Circle Flip Action Ready Go” is a highly anticipated event for the people of Taichung. This year (105th fiscal year), the QIN Art Museum has been transformed into a public sports arena, with the theme of a sports competition. The entire space has been turned into areas resembling a golf course, swimming pool, and basketball court, while surrounding mall spaces have also been redesigned for exhibitions, completely overturning traditional sports rules and turning an urban art museum into a massive sports ground.
It's staring at you with a chilling gaze—Godzilla has invaded Fukuoka Tower in Japan!
The movie *New Godzilla* is set to hit Japanese theaters at the end of July. The film’s production team has also partnered with Fukuoka’s iconic landmark, Fukuoka Tower, to install a life-sized Godzilla on the outside of the east window of the tower’s third-floor observation deck. With the monstrous creature baring its fangs and glaring into the observation deck, the hyper-realistic and impactful scene has attracted many visitors eager to snap photos.
Prost！Experience the Unforgettable Joy of Munich’s Oktoberfest in Germany
The Munich Oktoberfest in Germany is the country’s biggest annual celebration, with origins dating back to a royal wedding in 1810. People from all over the nation gathered on the vast meadow just outside the city to sing, dance, and celebrate joyfully. This hugely popular event has continued ever since and has become one of the most beloved festivals in the world.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife & Admiring Nature’s Wonders in Indigenous Teepee Tents
Yellowknife, Canada, located south of the Arctic Circle and the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, is home to many Indigenous peoples. Every year, countless travelers visit the town—populated by just 20,000 residents—for one reason: to witness the Northern Lights. This small town is world-renowned for its spectacular aurora displays.
Aso Naikei Onsen also has a "late-night diner" — complete with Chinese cuisine
Fans of Japanese dramas will be familiar with how often "diners" appear in the shows. Whether it’s the diner in the popular 99.9 Criminal Lawyer, where Matsumoto Jun can focus on cooking to crack a case, or the diner-bar in HERO where Takuya Kimura can order anything and hear “we’ve got it,” or even the manga and TV series directly themed around “Midnight Diner” — whether the diner is the main character or just a side role, there's always more than just the aroma of food. There's warmth, human connection, and occasionally even a bit of wisdom.
NYC’s abandoned subway station won’t become a mall — it’s turning into the world’s first underground park
In the past, spaces connecting underground transit and above-ground attractions were almost always filled with generic shops, but now, other countries have started to reimagine these areas. Take New York, for example — the city’s first underground park is nearing completion, created by transforming an unused subway station.