The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, and barbecuing is the traditional activity for the occasion every year. To tap into this business opportunity and save busy office workers the hassle of shopping for ingredients, hotels and restaurants have launched barbecue combo packs (gift boxes), allowing everyone to enjoy the fun of grilling with less effort.
Good news for military personnel and teachers! To celebrate Armed Forces Day on September 3rd and Teachers' Day on September 28th, Leofoo Theme Park in Taichung has launched the “Leofoo Military & Teachers Month” campaign. From September 1st to October 2nd, eligible individuals can enter the park for just 100 NT$ upon presenting valid credentials, while their accompanying companions can enjoy tickets at a discounted price of 399 NT$. These special offers are valid on both weekdays and weekends.
The Consumer Protection Committee under the Executive Yuan today announced the "Draft Amendment to the Standardized Domestic (and International) Travel Contract Template and Its Required and Prohibited Clauses," revising policies such as no minimum group size, guaranteed departure, and prohibition on additional shopping stops. Travel agency operators also noted that many of these measures are already in practice, so the impact will not be significant.
In recent years, "matcha" has made a big splash in Taiwan's dessert market. Whether it's established Japanese brands setting up shop or local businesses innovating with new recipes, every matcha dessert is eye-catching, turning many into die-hard matcha fans. Here’s a list of 3 must-try matcha desserts in Taipei—featuring matcha mille crêpes, pancakes, and roll cakes—all in one go!
Vietjet Air announced that it will launch the Taipei–Hanoi route on October 30, increase the frequency of the Tainan–Ho Chi Minh City route to five flights per week, and commence the Kaohsiung–Ho Chi Minh City round-trip route on December 12. By the end of 2016, Vietjet will operate four routes between Taiwan and Vietnam. Ticket prices for the Taipei–Hanoi and Kaohsiung–Ho Chi Minh City routes start from NT$448 and NT$288, respectively.
“Thai.J,” which just opened at the end of July this year, is a Thai restaurant that’s incredibly eye-catching. Its interior is filled with various plants and flowers, making guests feel as if they’re in a tropical rainforest. Its dreamy style is enough to melt anyone’s heart, and people have been flocking in one after another, sparking lively discussions online.
Kumamon, the “minister” himself, is coming to Taipei!The Kyushu Charm Dispatch Project Implementation Committee will hold the “Touch the KYUSHU Kyushu Products Exhibition” from Thursday, September 1st to Wednesday, September 14th at the Banquet & Exhibition Hall on the 9F of A9, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi New World. On the opening day, Kumamon, the minister of Kyushu’s Kumamoto Prefecture, will make a personal appearance to announce the restart of Kyushu tourism.
A Taiwanese version of the “mini Gassho Village” has emerged — an entire settlement embraced by mountains, presenting a serene and beautiful scene. Photographer “Flying in the Sky” captured aerial footage of Deniana in Laiji, Chiayi, showcasing this mini Gassho Village, leaving viewers in awe.
Until December 20, passengers who purchase Asiana Airlines long-haul tickets departing from Taipei with a transfer at Incheon can receive one SKY HUB LOUNGE transit lounge voucher, allowing them to relax in the lounge. The lounge provides complimentary beverages, meals, and resting areas.
How can you visit Tainan without checking out its night markets? Unlike Taipei’s night markets, those in Tainan don’t operate every day — miss the right day and you’ll miss them all. That’s why a popular online rhyme — “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven; Da, Da, Wu, Hua, Da, Wu, Hua” — helps travelers quickly figure out the opening days of Tainan’s three major night markets. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially compiled a list of five popular night markets in Tainan, so you can quickly get the scoop on their features and operating hours.
When "Dubai" is mentioned, many people immediately think of its luxury, prosperity, and rich Arabic traditional culture. In fact, via Dubai, passengers departing from Taiwan can conveniently transfer between Europe, Asia, and Africa, enjoying a more pleasant flying experience.
Among the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai—with its bustling urban life and numerous tourist attractions—is undoubtedly the brightest pearl. In this modern, high-tech yet tradition-respecting city, many Arabian customs and taboos are still observed. These practices actually reflect the residents' reverence for local religion and historical culture, further highlighting Dubai's mystique and charm.
Yet another Japanese tonkatsu restaurant is set to open a branch in Taiwan. “Maisen Tonkatsu,” a must-visit pilgrimage spot in Tokyo’s Omotesando and reputed to serve the best tonkatsu in the entire city, is making its debut in Taiwan. Its first Taiwanese outlet is scheduled to open on October 20 on the 7th floor of Taipei’s ShinYi XinTianDi A9. Beloved by both locals and tourists for its crispy exterior and tender interior, Maisen’s tonkatsu is expected to draw large crowds eager for a first taste.
The shop is located just off Gōngyì Road in Taichung’s prime area, but its exterior is very unassuming, with a small sign. If it weren’t for a friend leading the way, I’d never have known there was a Japanese kitchen primarily serving Japanese cuisine here. Zhitianjia is open from 6 PM to 1 AM, not operating at noon, and is closed on Sundays—feels quite the character XDD. There’s a small space out front for parking scooters, and plenty of car parking spots nearby, making it a fairly convenient restaurant for parking.
Do you think Taiwan’s passport is convenient? According to a recent survey, Taiwan’s passport allows visa-free entry to over 160 countries, ranking 29th in the world—down one spot from last year. Meanwhile, the German passport, which permits visa-free travel to 173 countries, ranks No. 1 globally.
From September 1 to December 1, the National Palace Museum will trial conditional photography and videography within exhibition halls. Additionally, from September 1 to August 31, 2017, domestic visitors can enjoy free admission to the museum’s Northern Branch upon presenting their ID card.
With the advancement of high-end technology, the future of hotels is bound to take on a new look. For instance, some U.S. hotel chains are already using iPads, and Siri, the voice-controlled assistant, will serve guests in high-tech rooms by controlling temperature, lighting, music, and more.
Taipei’s Grand Hyatt A CUT, ranked among Taiwan’s top steakhouses, is entering its tenth year! In September, A CUT will launch a voting campaign where diners can choose between a 24-ounce American Brandt dry-aged 40-day T-bone steak and a 24-ounce American Brandt wet-aged 30-day T-bone steak to determine which is the most tender and appetizing. The steak with the highest number of votes will become the featured steak on A CUT’s menu for the next golden decade. Additionally, A CUT will draw two lucky winners from the voting stubs to enjoy a Michelin two-star chef’s guest lunch in October, with a total value of up to NT$13,200.
In recent years, the number of Korean tourists visiting Taiwan has been steadily rising, and many bring back souvenirs after their trip. Products such as Darkie Toothpaste and 3:15 Milk Tea have become must-buy “Taiwan specialties” for Korean travelers. One Korean even said that brushing with Taiwanese toothpaste makes their teeth feel cleaner!
The northern region of Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan boasts unique climate, landscapes, history, culture, cuisine, and local industries—rich and creative regional resources that have become a stage for many artists. From September 17 to November 20, Ibaraki will host the 65-day North Ibaraki Art Festival, which interested travelers can check out.