Travel
CNN picks the world’s best barbecues — Taiwan’s Mongolian barbecue makes the list
BBQ is one of Americans’ favorite outdoor activities in summer. Come the holidays, they gather friends for backyard barbecues, while in Taiwan, the craze for barbecues peaks during the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. But it’s not just the U.S. and Taiwan—many countries have their own distinctive styles of barbecue. CNN has selected 10 of the world’s best barbecues, and Taiwan’s Mongolian barbecue is on the list, though it might be a bit different from what Taiwanese people are most familiar with.
“Ice-Fire Tangyuan” with Its Dual Textures Is More Than Addictive – A Popular Snack at Taipei’s Tonghua Night Market
Have you tried “Ice-Fire Tangyuan”? At Taipei’s Tonghua Night Market, there’s a shop that specializes in tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), combining freshly boiled hot tangyuan with shaved ice, then drizzling them with osmanthus syrup or sweet fermented rice with egg. The contrasting hot and cold textures are so addictive they’ve become the shop’s signature dish. Many customers even make special summer trips just to savor this unique treat.
Tens of thousands of windmills form the main image—Zhongzheng Memorial Hall turns into a “Doraemon Plaza”
A large-scale Doraemon-themed exhibition has appeared at Zhongzheng Memorial Hall！ From September 1 to September 11, for 11 consecutive days, a massive Doraemon promotional structure measuring 25 meters in both length and width, 6 meters in height, and covering a total area of over 600 square meters will be set up in the Democracy Boulevard Plaza of Zhongzheng Memorial Hall. With nearly ten thousand windmills spinning in the wind, it has become one of this year’s most popular photo spots.
Bangkok’s tallest building debuts—unfinished look? Avant-garde sculptures and light show steal the show!
Recent travelers to Thailand must not miss Bangkok’s newly completed tallest skyscraper, MahaNakhon. The bold and futuristic tower showcased a uniquely captivating effect during its dazzling light show on the evening of its grand opening on the 29th.
Even the desserts are winking back—W Taipei collaborates with a fashion brand to launch a co-branded afternoon tea
Collaborations have become a popular trend in the afternoon tea scene in recent years. Starting September 1, W Taipei has teamed up with the renowned Italian brand Chiara Ferragni to debut a new co-branded duo afternoon tea set titled “WILD WINKS Throw a Flirtatious Glance.” Priced at NT$1,800 + 10% service charge, the set is available daily from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM in limited quantities. The first 50 reservations will also receive two NT$500 VIP vouchers provided by Chiara Ferragni.
Annual Ramen Event: 2016 Tokyo Ramen Show Kicks Off on October 27
The annual ramen event “Tokyo Ramen Show” is about to begin. The 2016 Tokyo Ramen Show is scheduled to kick off on October 27. The first session runs from October 27 to November 1, and the second session is from November 2 to November 6. The venue is in Komazawa, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. It’s an extremely popular event. Each bowl of ramen is priced at just 850 yen, but you need to purchase ramen tickets in advance.
Use Ubike stations as a dice game Taipei City will host a "Bike Monopoly" on 9/4
Turn all of Taipei City into a Monopoly game board! The travel group "I Am Traveling," beloved by many university students, will hold an urban mini-trip "Bike Monopoly" in Taipei on September 4. The event will use a lottery to determine travel companions and a dice roll system to have groups ride Ubikes together to complete assigned travel missions.
China Airlines announces reduction in excess baggage fees！ Daily routes from $15 to $6 per kilogram
China Airlines announced on the 2nd that starting October 1, it will reduce the overweight baggage fee standards under the weight-based system for regional routes, including comprehensive reductions for round-trip routes to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, cross-strait, Europe, and Oceania (excluding the U.S. and Canada), with the European routes seeing the highest reduction of over 70%. For Japan routes, the fee is reduced from the current $15 per kilogram to $6 per kilogram, aiming to allow travelers to enjoy their trips and shopping sprees even more.
A Nostalgic Old-House Restaurant in Tainan: The Super Flavorful “Tomato and Pickled Melon Pork” That Tastes Like Grandma’s Cooking
Xiao Man Canteen is located in the recently bustling Zhengxing Street. Behind an unassuming wooden door on a quiet corner, where two chubby Zhengxing cats are pasted on either side, the old city’s aged house retains its original charm. The utensils used to set the table at home when we were kids, the green Tatung rice cooker that only existed in our moms’ houses, and the wooden cabinets still seen in our grandmas’ hometowns—all evoke memories. The cement walls are mottled and even slightly moldy, but the deeper we walk into the house, the stronger the indescribable sense of belonging becomes.
Clouds floating on the ceiling！Taipei’s dreamy café becomes an Instagram hotspot
Located in Taipei’s East District, September Café hangs white cloud decorations from the ceilings above window-side seats every summer. Dining under them is both therapeutic and magical, making these spots the café’s most popular. The window seats with a view of the clouds are all for two people, perfect for heart-to-heart chats with friends or romantic dates—sparking a wave of check-ins on Instagram.
Airport rents are so high that a bowl of noodles can cost hundreds of yuan—these five items are best bought at duty-free shops!
Because airport rents are expensive, shop owners usually pass the cost on to their products, especially food and drinks, which are often twice as pricey as outside the airport. Travelers should only shop at airports when absolutely necessary. But there are some items that are definitely worth buying at airport duty-free stores—the prices can be quite good. Below are five items recommended by aol.com as worthwhile purchases at duty-free shops.
Girl power on full display — every cake at this magical Hsinchu café will make you scream with delight
Cake lovers who enjoy handmade treats absolutely must not miss “Simple 简单吃,” a quaint little shop tucked away in the alleys of Hsinchu. Specializing in sponge cakes and pound cakes, the café prides itself on offering “simple cakes with extraordinary flavors.” Sometimes, you really have to look carefully to find its location.
Matsu Military Bunker Transformed into Youth Hostel – Blue Tears Included for Just NT$700
Once a frontline in wartime, Matsu boasts a strong military ambiance. In recent years, with significant troop withdrawals, many former attack and defense bunkers have been left abandoned. To allow travelers to more deeply experience the island’s military past, local returnee Li Zhenyuan and his like-minded friends bid for the former Zhongcheng Fort—known as Outpost 55—from the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, transforming it into a youth hostel. For just NT$700 per night, guests can enjoy this unique stay and, without even leaving their rooms, admire the stunning Blue Tears phenomenon through the window.
This summer’s trendiest road race – complete the run to win a Swarovski crystal necklace with 5,000 participants
The Hawaii Tourism Office in Taiwan held the “2016 Hawaii Crystal Run” this year, which kicked off this morning (3rd) in Fulong. The Hawaii Crystal Run has introduced a fashionable post-race necklace and bracelet set with Swarovski crystals, attracting over 5,000 registrations, including celebrities such as Yuan Aifei, Lin Boyu, TV host Wei Huaxuan, and news anchor Jian Yijia, who showed off their great figures to support the event.
Hsinchu Central Park Reopens! Free Family Fun at the Themed Children’s Park
After renovation and upgrades to its recreational spaces, Hsinchu Central Park has shed its formerly poor drainage, damp, and dim appearance. The original terrazzo slide has been preserved, while new landscape-style slides, sand pits, and parent-child washbasins have been added. The “Central Park Children’s Recreation Revitalization Project” was completed and the park reopened on September 2, offering families yet another free place to enjoy quality time together.
Classic American restaurant in Kaohsiung reopens – must-try pulled pork burger
Do you remember the Hardy’s American Restaurant on Fuguo Road in Zuoying? Back then, due to a lease issue, the shop closed for several years while quietly regrouping and preparing to reopen in a brand-new form someday. Finally, early last month, the restaurant quietly reopened near the Art Museum. It didn’t retain the original name but was reborn as WEEE American Restaurant, aiming to bring back joyful dining experiences once again.
Mid-Autumn Holiday Fun at E-DA – Tickets Just NT$50 for Ages 50+
Known as the “king of amusement parks in southern Taiwan,” E-DA Theme Park is offering an amazing deal during the Mid-Autumn holiday. Taiwanese citizens aged 5 or under and 50 or over can enjoy the park for just NT$50 with a valid photo ID!
Remember the "elephant slide" from back then? You can still find one at Yong'an Elementary School in Tainan.
Do you remember that elephant slide that brought so much joy in your childhood? Washed stone, which is rarely seen in urban areas, is used at Yong'an Elementary School in Houpi, Tainan. This old school still features an “elephant slide” — something only seen in long-established schools — and it remains tucked away in a corner of the campus, enduring through the passage of time.
Breathtaking ocean views await at Japan’s hidden gem: Shiokaze Station. Chase your dreams like in the “Seishun 18” campaigns.
The Seishun 18 posters from 1999, 2000, and 2001 all featured Shiokaze Station. If you asked me where I most wanted to go in Japan, I’d definitely choose Shiokaze without hesitation. Actually, this trip to Ehime was mainly for Shiokaze, and secondarily for Dogo Onsen, which will begin renovations next year.
As expected of the fighting nation—the Moscow airport sells AK47 rifle-themed souvenirs
What souvenirs should you buy when traveling to Russia? In addition to agate and Russian nesting dolls, there's now a new option—AK47 rifle merchandise. At the duty-free shops in Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, you can purchase various replica rifles launched by the weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern.