Travel
Chiayi’s Newest Hidden Gem: A Legendary Unmanned “Handmade Dessert Shop” Inside the West Market
Tucked among the old storefronts of Chiayi West Market lies an internet-famous legendary handmade rolled dessert shop. During regular hours, there’s no one on site — to buy a cake roll, you have to ring a bell to summon the “real person.” This hidden handmade dessert shop inside the old market is known to very few and has become Chiayi’s latest “hidden gem,” selling around 100 rolls daily and highly loved by netizens.
Extra flights added for Mid-Autumn holiday travel rush: Mandarin Airlines schedules 26 additional flights to Kinmen and Penghu
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival holiday spans four days, and Mandarin Airlines has added extra flights to help manage the returning passenger flow. From September 14 to September 19, the airline has planned additional flights to outlying islands. A total of 20 extra flights will be operated to Makung (Penghu), and 6 to Kinmen, making 26 additional flights in total.
Stilt houses on a cliff Chongqing's Hongyadong lights up at night like a world from Spirited Away
If you have the chance to visit Chongqing, be sure to check out Hongyadong. It’s a complex of antique-style stilt houses built on the cliffs along the Jialing River, known as the "Cliffside City of China." When night falls, the area is brightly lit, creating a picturesque scene by the river. Some say it feels like stepping into the world of *Spirited Away*.
The ice cream names here are super fun—a new Taoyuan shop that’s all about “red beans” and hipster vibes!
There are more and more unique ice cream shops in Taoyuan. This one, called You Shi Hou Red Bean, just opened in August near the Zhongzheng Arts and Cultural District, close to Tongde High School. That day, we had lunch at Molly’s Burger first before heading here for a cool treat. We visited during the trial period and waited about five minutes until opening time—just in time to be their first customers.
Recommended by BBC: 5 Must-Visit Emerging Neighborhoods Around Tokyo
Taiwanese travelers are familiar with Tokyo’s Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku districts. Although they may have already visited, new shops—such as unique boutiques, cafés, and restaurants—keep popping up around this major city. The BBC Travel team has introduced 5 emerging areas in Tokyo that visitors to Japan might want to consider exploring again.
Make your own exclusive pizza from scratch！Three popular DIY pizza restaurants in northern Taiwan
Recently, making food from scratch has gradually become a new trend—such as cakes, pastries, and coffee. Some businesses have also started promoting the concept of “making your own pizza,” providing ingredients, tools, and instruction so that the public can create their very own pizzas. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has compiled a list of four DIY pizza restaurants in northern Taiwan. Interested individuals shouldn’t miss the chance to experience it for themselves！
A whole wall of rainbow conical flasks!? A hidden café gem in Taoyuan’s alleys
Is it a dreamy lab or a café? One of Taoyuan’s three most popular ice dessert spots, “Long Legs Lab,” reopened in July. Its standout feature is a large, pastel-colored wall of conical flasks that’s a major Instagram hotspot. The café serves brunch, afternoon tea, and specializes in Japanese desserts, ice cream, and sandwiches, with its matcha series being the most beloved.
“Shanshan” will blow your mind away — tea-based desserts make drinking tea ultra-fashionable
Can you only enjoy the aroma of tea at home? You can savor great tea even in the hustle and bustle of the city. Nestled in an alley on Minsheng East Road, “Shanshan Lai Cha” emphasizes cultivating its own tea leaves using natural farming methods, without weeding or using pesticides, allowing the tea trees to grow in harmony with nature. The beverages and meals in the shop incorporate elements from various types of tea, drawing you deep into the magical world of tea that’s hard to resist.
Kaohsiung’s must-queue street food: juicy marinated meats from the famous wooden cabinet deli
As night falls and traffic gets busy, this spot isn’t a night market—but it’s buzzing with energy. Welcome to one of Kaohsiung’s most popular street snacks: the renowned Da Mu Chu Marinated Meats. It rose to fame years ago through word-of-mouth and extensive media coverage, and it remains just as popular today.
Want to be Cinderella and ride in a pumpkin carriage? Students at Longf Elementary School in Zhuangqiao Township, Miaoli can make that dream come true!
Have you ever dreamed of being Cinderella and riding in a pumpkin carriage? Longf Elementary School in Zhuangqiao Township, Miaoli County has created a pumpkin industry-themed feature by crafting a 3D pumpkin carriage mural on the blank walls of the campus. In collaboration with Yuda University of Science and Technology, they have also produced large-format prints of fairy-tale-style pumpkin carriages. Many tourists and students visit this spot to take photos and immerse themselves in the magical atmosphere of Cinderella.
The "Taixingyan Trail" in Meishan, Chiayi – stunning views surrounded by tea plantations
In recent years, Taiwan has seen many incredibly popular scenic trails, and the "Taixingyan Trail" in Meishan Township, Chiayi is no newcomer to the tourism scene. But when viewed from above, the entire trail seems to stretch all the way into the heart of the mountain, embraced by rolling peaks, showcasing the natural beauty of Taiwan.
A Hidden Gem in Northern Taiwan: Tamsui's Liukuaicuo Fishing Port with Breathtaking Sunsets
Many small fishing ports in Taiwan are incredibly charming—like Fenniaolin Fishing Port in Yilan with its secret beach, or Shen’ao Fishing Port near the iconic Elephant Trunk Rock. And then there’s this one: Liukuaicuo Fishing Port. These ports aren’t large; most consist of just a small area with a few fishing boats docked, extending toward the sea. The boats sway gently with the waves, and the water reflects the ever-changing colors of the sky, creating a serene yet dynamic scene that’s truly beautiful.
The campus is filled with "LOVE"！ Pingtung’s Mudan Elementary School is super romantic, with a rainbow staircase too.
Recently, many places in Taiwan have been setting up romantic art installations perfect for wedding photos, especially the large three-dimensional "LOVE" letters that are everywhere. But did you know that there are also such installations at Mudan Elementary School in Pingtung? I think it's definitely worth couples taking the time to visit.
Top 10 Most Popular Riverside Parks in Taiwan Loved by Netizens – Perfect for Dates and Pokémon GO Hunting!
In recent years, night running and road running have become popular, with many people choosing to head to riverside parks. With vast green spaces and gentle breezes, exercising in such an environment is especially enjoyable. DailyView’s Online Popularity Meter has ranked the top 10 most talked-about riverside parks across Taiwan, making them ideal for dog walking, dating, photography, strolls, or even the currently trendy Pokémon GO hunting!
Overlooking Yilan from 180 degrees on the water surface — an atmospheric waterside restaurant with heart-shaped rock formations
These days, nothing beats an atmospheric restaurant. The breathtaking scenery relaxes the mind, and when paired with delicious food, everyday stress melts away in an instant — truly a life-enjoying experience. This unique waterside restaurant lets visitors walk along the wooden boardwalk designed by the operator to the front section to gaze at the views of Yilan. Netizens say the vast landscape stretching out before them feels like stepping into a fairyland.
Catch 40 Pokémon in 30 minutes: The Best Bus Routes for Pokémon GO in Five Major Cities
With the whole nation going crazy over Pokémon GO, how to catch Pokémon efficiently and farm PokéStops has become a hot topic online. Recently, the tech website "YingYaoShiXue" compiled bus routes suggested by netizens in the Taipei-New Taipei area, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, giving players the chance to catch up to 40 Pokémon in just 30 minutes on a bus ride.
Motorcycle-Roaming Dessert Shop: Handmade “Tainan Danzai Noodles” Turn Out to Be Delicious Cake
The Danzai Noodles cake is made to order, using a honey chiffon tangzhong sponge cake filled with Japanese Fuji apple jelly. The exterior is piped with locally sourced, toxin-free yellow sweet potato mousse, while the “minced pork” on the side is actually chocolate crumble. The “shrimp” are made from marshmallows. Premium French butter and imported chocolate are also used in the ingredients. At first glance, it looks like a bowl of Danzai Noodles, but the taste offers an unexpectedly delightful surprise.
Dinosaurs breaking through the window as soon as you wake up? Taiwan’s only “3D relief homestay” is in Hualien
Nowadays, accommodations compete not just on comfort and service, but also on distinctive interior and exterior designs that leave a deep impression—becoming one of the reasons travelers choose to stay again. A homestay business in Hualien, “Sunflower 3D Relief Homestay,” has pioneered Taiwan’s first-ever 3D relief homestay, integrating relief sculptures and 3D visual art throughout the property, making guests feel as if they’re staying in an art gallery. This unique lodging experience has been immensely popular with travelers since its opening.
Two for 499 NT afternoons at Leofoo Amusement Park — water and land rides plus Pokémon GO catching all in one
During the last two weeks of summer vacation, from August 15 to September 4, Leofoo Amusement World is offering an afternoon playtime package for two people at 499 NT. With this ticket, guests can enjoy both water and land attractions all day long, and rides will be open until 6 PM daily (including weekdays) until the end of August 31. In line with the Pokémon GO craze sweeping Taiwan, Leofoo also announced that the park has three gyms and over 40 PokéStops, as well as more than 60 different Pokémon species, allowing visitors to enjoy both the rides and Pokémon hunting.
Iron skillet pancakes stuffed with mangoes！ A super healing summer limited dessert in Tainan
Tainan has launched a summer-limited “iron skillet pancake”! Inside the black round griddle, besides the dark brown slightly charred pancake and numerous large chunks of fresh mango, there’s also a scoop of handcrafted homemade ice cream. Its creative presentation, different from previous versions, has also attracted many food bloggers and netizens to check it out.