Travel
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts launches new loyalty rewards: Earn points even without staying, just by dining
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts recently announced that its Golden Circle loyalty program has launched a new dining-focused rewards initiative called The Table. This program allows members to enjoy a variety of benefits and rewards when dining at Shangri-La hotels, whether in their home country or abroad. Unlike other programs that require an overnight stay to earn reward points, The Table enables members to earn points simply by joining and dining at group restaurants — no stay required.
Korea’s Dreamy Seasonal Photo Spot – A Heaven-Like Sea of Cosmos Flowers!
Autumn is not only the season of maple leaves but also when pink cosmos flowers bloom in full glory. Like rapeseed flowers, cosmos are often planted as cover crops during fallow periods. The areas where rapeseed blossoms in spring usually become popular spots to admire cosmos in autumn. Moreover, cosmos are extremely easy to grow, allowing visitors to enjoy vast stretches of pink blooms without venturing too far from Korea’s urban centers.
Shortest-lived Michelin restaurant: Shanghai's Taian Table shuts down just two days after earning a star
The 2017 Shanghai Michelin Guide was released on the 21st, awarding stars to a total of 26 restaurants, but just two days later, it was revealed that one of the one-starred establishments, "Taian Table," did not have a business license. In an interview, the restaurant manager stated that the license was under application. Following the incident, the restaurant posted a closure notice at its entrance, becoming the shortest-lived Michelin restaurant in history.
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? The world's only SpongeBob hotel
Want to stay in a pineapple under the sea and spend the night with Gary? The SpongeBob-themed room at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic has recently gone viral on social media. The bright yellow pineapple and SpongeBob’s room are exactly like the scenes from the cartoon.
Pingzhen's 3D cartoon coffee art is absolutely adorable—it’ll make your heart melt
A few days ago, I visited the long-awaited “Rational & Emotional Cafe” for my cousin’s birthday. Every time I saw their cute latte art on IG, I couldn’t help but go crazy for it. The Rational & Emotional Cafe is located near YuDa High School in Pingzhen. Later, when the owner chatted with us, we found out that it’s actually just a short walk from JuDa Self-service Ice Cream City.
End-of-the-world viewscape！The cliff path on the Jungfrau – inlaid into the rocks at 2,168 metres above sea level
Grindelwald in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region is a town sitting at an elevation of 1,050 metres and is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site. About 20 minutes by cable car from Grindelwald lies a cliff path (Cliff Walk) that many travellers have dubbed “the closest thing to the edge of the world.” It juts out from the mountainside at 2,168 metres above sea level, boasts breathtaking scenery, but can make your legs tremble with every step.
French culinary legend Joël Robuchon: A Taipei edition of the Michelin Guide could be released soon
The 2017 Shanghai Michelin Guide was recently released, with a total of 26 restaurants receiving stars. Following Singapore and Shanghai, the first Seoul Michelin Guide will also be launched by the end of this year, making South Korea the fourth country to have a Michelin Guide. What about Taiwan? On the 23rd, French culinary icon Joël Robuchon revealed during his visit to Taiwan that a Taipei edition of the Michelin Guide is likely to be released in the near future. As for when exactly? Rumors suggest it might happen in 2018.
Don’t worry about eating your fill — these 3 restaurants are offering all-you-can-eat autumn crab feasts
The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, and the weather is gradually getting cooler. The crisp autumn season is also the perfect time for crab, and many restaurants and hotels have started offering autumn crab dishes. But some hotel operators aren’t afraid of guests digging in — they’re launching all-you-can-eat festivals featuring hairy crabs and snow crabs.
Boat services between Taitung and Green Island/Lanyu to resume from the 24th!
Previously, due to the severe impact of Typhoon Meranti, which damaged the lighthouse at Fugang Fishing Port in Taitung and caused blockages in navigation channels, boat services between Taitung and the outlying islands were significantly disrupted. After several days of emergency repairs by the Taitung County Government, boat services between Taitung and Green Island/Lanyu will resume on the 24th. Details are as follows:
Taipei's 3 Dreamiest Attractions Accessible by MRT – Come for a Romantic Autumn Picnic!
Who says Neihu is just a mass of gray? Its stunning lakeside mountain scenery is actually super dreamy, featuring vast lawns, mirror-like lakes, and bridges so beautiful they’ve gained international attention. ETtoday EBC has specially compiled a list of Neihu’s 3 most popular parks along Taipei MRT’s Wenhu Line. Why go far for picturesque photos when you can head to Neihu for a hike and picnic this weekend!
Affordable Unagi Rice at This Japanese Restaurant in Taipei – The Rich Sauce Is Super Appetizing!
After eating live eel at Hamamatsuya, I suddenly craved a revisit to Umeshio Unagi-ya. A few days later, I headed there in the afternoon. It was the familiar old uncle, just cleaning up. Arriving so early, I naturally became the first customer. I ordered the Large Unagi Don (NT$480), Cold Tofu (NT$60), and Spinach (NT$60). Unfortunately, the eel liver was sold out—the uncle said it had run out by lunchtime. Not getting eel liver twice in a row was truly disappointing. I can’t speak for other places, but Umeshio Unagi-ya’s eel liver is really a must-try. Before long, the food was all served.
Absolutely stunning！ The nation’s largest “Suogang Light Sculpture Show” debuts in Penghu
Dubbed the largest light sculpture show in Taiwan, the first performance of the “Suogang Light Sculpture Show” in Penghu kicked off on the evening of the 24th. The 10-minute show tackled the most complex building projection facade in the country, featuring a projection surface with up to 6 million irregular bumps and indentations against the backdrop of Zihwei Palace. The entire performance was seamless, delivering a visual feast that combined powerful sound-and-light effects with digital light sculpture art.
The Korean Wave is here: Delicious hot budae jjigae to warm you up in the cold winter
With the cold fronts frequently hitting Taiwan during the fall and winter seasons, enjoying a steaming hot pot in this chilly weather is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest pleasures. Coupled with the ongoing popularity of Korean culture in recent years, "budae jjigae" (Korean army stew) is a must-try hot pot dish. ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud has specially compiled a list of delicious budae jjigae spots across Taiwan for our readers, ensuring you can still feel the warmth of great food on a cold night.
Make the most of autumn camping – Taipei’s Guizikeng Camping Site closing soon for renovation
Autumn is here—cool days are perfect for outdoor camping and picnics. Operated by the Taipei City Government, the Bishan Camping Site and Guizikeng Camping Site are located within the urban districts of Neihu and Beitou respectively, both offering free camping without site fees. Visitors can easily enjoy the autumn atmosphere during weekends. Additionally, the Guizikeng Camping Site is scheduled to begin construction in mid-November and will suspend rental services starting October 11. Campers looking to enjoy the fall season should seize this last opportunity.
Night owls, this one’s for you！A lazy guide to 5 late-night must-try queue-worthy eats in Greater Taipei
Remember the article “Late-Night Eats！12 Late-Night Restaurants Still Open in Greater Taipei”? We’re sure all you night owls have already paid them a visit, and you’re ready for the next wave of dawn-exclusive delicacies！Now, let’s check out which spots are absolute must-visits Up～
Breathtaking Scenic Spot for Ethereal Photos: Sweet Flag in Full Bloom at Chiayi Zhushan Railway Station
In autumn, the sweet flag grass that grows along riversides in a vast white expanse acts like nature’s messenger of the season, telling us that autumn has truly arrived. Recently, photographer Hong Nianhong shared photos on Facebook showing the sweet flag grass near Chiayi Zhushan Railway Station in full bloom along the creek, creating a stunning snowy-white landscape that looks picture-perfect in the fall.
Taiwan’s Tainan: Night-Only Hidden Gems – Cantonese-Style Iced Lemon Tea & Yuanyang Milk Tea
Do you like Hong Kong-style drinks? I sure do (can you dislike any drink, really? XD). Today, I’m sharing a somewhat special spot—let’s enjoy a Yuanyang milk tea together… or maybe you’d prefer the iced lemon tea?
Both mountain and coastal routes available！ Discover 10 scenic railway bike trails in Korea to pedal along the tracks
Want to leisurely cycle on old train tracks? Korea’s railway biking has been around for over a decade and is loved not only by locals but also a must-do activity for many international tourists visiting Korea. By transforming disused railways into popular recreational facilities, this initiative has not only revitalized local tourism but also preserved rail lines that might otherwise have been dismantled. ETtoday Eastday News has compiled a list of ten of the most popular railway biking spots—offering more than just shopping on your trip to Korea.
Breathtaking Views from the Summit of the Jungfrau: Hundreds Jump 1,350 Meters Daily
Endless mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, with towering cliffs rising straight into the clouds, almost encircling the entire city. On one side of the city, high in the mountains directly facing the Jungfrau, at an altitude of 1,350 meters, there is a gorge where hundreds of people jump down every day, soaring above the Jungfrau — this is arguably the most spectacular and romantic flying experience in the world.
No need to worry about excess baggage when shopping abroad — EVA Air adds 10kg to free checked luggage allowance
Good news for frequent travelers who love to shop overseas. Following China Airlines’ move to increase the free checked baggage allowance by 10kg starting July 15 this year, EVA Air and UNI Air will also follow suit, raising their free checked baggage allowance by 10kg.