Travel
The difference between the top and bottom spans 20 floors — the world’s steepest street where the road seemingly “eats houses”
What on earth is going on? Why do all the houses here seem to be eaten by the road? When people see photos of Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, many immediately wonder about this. It turns out that Baldwin Street is the steepest street in the world, so the houses are built along the hillside. Visitors taking photos on Baldwin Street also like to deliberately tilt their cameras, creating an optical illusion that the houses are being “eaten.”
Claimed to be the best in Taichung—super appetizing "stinky tofu" even vegetarians can enjoy
Changping Road in North District, Taichung, actually has many street food snacks. This spot, “Vegetarian Big Noodles Q? · Stinky Tofu,” is highly recommended by netizens. Whenever an article about stinky tofu is written, there’s always someone commenting to recommend this place on Changping Road—the “Vegetarian Big Noodles Q?, Stinky Tofu.” A few even said it’s the best stinky tofu they’ve had in Taichung!
A Resting Pavilion in the Apple Orchard of Kominokuni — A Warm Family-Style Restaurant
About fifty years ago, an elderly woman named Sato, who lived in Kominokuni, Kumamoto, owned a large apple orchard in the town. She grew many fragrant and sweet apples, but during peak harvest season, there were always too many apples stored in the warehouse. So every day, the elderly woman would push a cart and sell the apples at the corner near the town office.
Camp under the stars in the canyon valley this summer—4 must-do experiences in Taroko!
Taroko isn’t just about admiring its dramatic cliffs and mountain scenery—you can now also have a picnic on the Buluowan Grassland. Taiwan’s only five-star hotel located within a national park, “Taroko Elegance Hotel,” boasts a stunning infinity pool nestled in the canyon. This summer, it introduces four family-friendly experiences, allowing guests to stargaze from tents on the hotel rooftop, while kids can become little hunters, enjoying a unique adventure in Taroko!
New politeness campaign at American cafes: Get 50% off just by saying “please” and “thank you”!
The rise in tourism has led to more interactions between people from different countries, but we’ve also found that even though travel boosts economic growth, intercultural communication still requires a lot of effort. Some rude customers are universal—and one American cafe has come up with a clever solution to deal with them.
The "Rope Suspension Bridge" on the Little Zhuilu Trail in Taroko — A super narrow bridge that feels like tightrope walking in the air
One of the hottest spots in Taroko recently is the "Little Zhuilu Trail," which opened in early November last year. In just a 20-minute hike, you can enjoy the layered mountain ranges of Taroko and the Liwu River shimmering with a Tiffany blue glow. A must-see is the rope suspension bridge that spans the canyon — only one person can cross at a time. With every step, you can feel the swaying of the bridge, paired with the breathtaking view of the deep valley below, making for an exhilarating experience.
Sanyi also has a Studio Ghibli movie scene spot—super scenic and private railway attraction
What appears to be an endless old railway stretches straight backward with no guardrails on either side. At a glance, the surrounding beauty can be taken in all at once. The rich historical atmosphere paired with the deep blue Beauty Lake below has turned the long-abandoned "Sanyi Old Mountain Line Railway" into a little-known Taiwanese hidden gem.
Taipei Railway Station’s 125th Anniversary Commemorative Ticket Set Goes on Sale July 28 – Limited to 800 Sets
With recent renovations to Taipei Railway Station’s landscape completed, the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) held a celebration ceremony titled “Taipei Railway Station’s 125th Anniversary and Landscape Project Inauguration” on the 28th. In addition to commemorating the station’s 125th anniversary, the event also featured the limited release of 800 sets of commemorative platform tickets.
A Time-Honored Nostalgic Snack in Taichung: Q-Texture Rice Cake Steeped in Savory Broth
Upon serving, it emits an overwhelming aroma of braised goodness that’s truly enticing. The rich color of the braised pork topping on the rice cake also made my mouth water. The rice grains have a pleasantly chewy texture, and when paired with the sauce, it's flavorful and aromatic. While the sauce has a hint of sweetness, I personally found it a bit on the salty side.
Watch out for the MRT—Oh Bear is on the loose!! The 2016 Taiwan Cycling Festival's painted train is now adorable and on the move
Oh Bear is here!! Starting July 25, the first wave of painted trains for the Taiwan Cycling Festival will be running on Taipei MRT’s Tamsui-Xinyi Line. To promote the “2016 Taiwan Cycling Festival” hosted by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, just snap a photo of Oh Bear Chief in the MRT, upload it to the official fan page to share and like, and you could win exclusive limited-edition gifts endorsed by Oh Bear Chief himself.
The capsule coffee shop "Egg Egg" has surprises—let luck decide what you drink today!
Can't decide what to order at a coffee shop every time? Let the capsule machine help you decide!
Singapore's Putien earns Michelin star; Taiwan branches celebrate with buy-one-get-one-free drinks
The results of Singapore’s first-ever Michelin Guide were recently announced, with the Kitchener Road flagship branch of Singapore’s Putien earning one Michelin star. This newest one-star restaurant in Singapore is also available in Taiwan, having been introduced by the Din Tai Fung Group in 2016. To celebrate the flagship branch’s star, all drinks at the store will be buy-one-get-one-free (same price only) from July 25 to July 31.
Melt your girly heart with Taichung’s animal-shaped ice cream crepes!
Taiwan’s earliest crepe trend created a globally unique texture by transforming the typically soft and tender French-style crepe into a crispy one. So after getting used to the original crispy texture, during a trip to Sapporo’s Tanukikoji, I spotted a famous Tokyo-based crepe shop. My friends, eager to join in, bought a few to try. In the end, I was the only one who preferred the soft and tender texture of the French-style crepe.
Exclusive Coverage of the Smurfs Special Exhibition in Hong Kong: Cute Dolls, Smurf Houses, and AR Interaction
The Smurf Village has arrived at Hong Kong Harbour City! Not only does it feature 35 one-meter-tall Smurfs gathered together, but there’s also a six-meter-tall Smurf house where you can find Papa Smurf and interact with Smurfs like Smurfette through AR technology. In addition to the outdoor Smurf Village, Harbour City also hosts a Smurf Story House, a limited-time pop-up store, a 1:1 model exhibition, and a summer school program. Due to the exhibition's immense popularity, Harbour City has extended the special exhibition until after August 21.
Kumamoto Aso: Local Ingredients & Italian Spices Create Delicious Pizzas
It’s often said that “good water nourishes people,” and water is undoubtedly the foundation of all life. But just how good is the water in Aso? Scoop up a ladle from one of the natural spring sources in Aso and taste it—its texture is incredibly soft and smooth. About ten years ago, Mr. Shinichi Nishimura, the owner of Rinrin Coffee, along with his wife, purchased this land. He hand-drew the blueprints and then hired carpenters to dig a well and develop the site into what it is today.
Teaming up again: Mandarin Oriental and Dior collaborate on the Floral Dior Eau de Parfum Afternoon Tea
Taipei Mandarin Oriental Hotel collaborated with French fashion brand Dior last year to launch the Floral Dior Afternoon Tea. This summer, the two partners are teaming up once more, offering the “Floral Dior Eau de Parfum Afternoon Tea” from August 1 to 21 on the 5th floor of the hotel at Café Un Deux Trois. The set is priced at NT$1,000 + 10%. Guests who enjoy the afternoon tea will also receive an exquisite Floral Dior gift (limited quantity, while stocks last).
You can charge your devices anywhere you go—Taoyuan Airport installs over 500 3C charging stations
To serve travelers, Taoyuan International Airport has set up more than 500 free charging points in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Charging stations are located in various areas, including 40 dual-purpose sockets and USB charging desks on both sides of the scenic elevators in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2, along the sides of seats in the immigration hall, at duty-free shops in the restricted area, and in the central rest zone.
Let the world see the beauty of old Taipei! A first look at Taiwan’s first artist-in-residence hotel
Fubon Group has stepped into the hotel market with its self-created brand “Folio Hotel 富艺旅.” The first property—Folio Hotel Taipei Da’an—officially debuted on the 26th. This artsy and distinctive hotel is also Taiwan’s first to feature an artist-in-residence program. Before its official opening in August, this article takes readers on a sneak peek inside this wall-less art gallery-style urban inn and showcases its beautiful details.
See photos of Jolin Tsai and Dee Hsu in your room！Taiwan’s first artist-in-residence hotel to open in August
To tap into the domestic and international independent travel and backpacker markets, Fubon Group has entered the hospitality sector by launching its self-owned brand “Folio Hotel 富艺旅.” The first property—Folio Taipei Da’an—is located in the city center. The hotel not only revitalizes 50-60-year-old buildings but also incorporates cultural and creative art elements, making it Taiwan’s first hotel with an artist-in-residence program. Guests can even find photographic works by 55 artists, including Jolin Tsai and Dee Hsu. The hotel is set to officially open in early August.
Fake news: Online rumors claim "fill out a survey, get free airline tickets" – AirAsia issues clarification
Recently, a survey from AirAsia has been circulating online in Taiwan, claiming that those who fill out the form will receive two free AirAsia plane tickets. AirAsia has today clarified that it has never commissioned or authorized any company to conduct this survey, and has confirmed that this is an unauthorized and illegal activity involving the unauthorized use of the AirAsia brand for personal data collection and fraud.