Travel
A golden sea of rice becomes the most beautiful stage — the “Chishang Harvest Music Festival” invites A-Lin to perform
The annual autumn highlight in Taitung, the “Chishang Harvest Music Festival,” has invited acclaimed singer A-Lin, known as the “natural diva,” to Chishang this year. She will sing beautiful melodies for her hometown amidst the vast golden rice fields. The event is scheduled to take place on the 29th and 30th at the Tian Tang Lu rice field area in Wan’an Community, Chishang, Taitung.
A stunning seaside café is hidden along Kaohsiung’s coast—wander here and unwind for an afternoon
Travelers who love to wander absolutely can’t miss this romantic pit stop in Kaohsiung. Tucked away in Gushan District, this café boasts breathtaking sea views. Just grab a coffee or a fresh fruit smoothie, sit back, and gaze at the blue sky and ocean until the sun sets—let the beauty melt all your worries away.
Gory, Finger-Losing Fun? A Collection of Halloween-Themed Dining
With just days left until the fun and freaky Halloween, many hotels have already launched a variety of spooky or wacky dishes to celebrate the occasion. Among the most shocking offerings is The Regent Taipei, which—following last year’s (2015) severed arm burger—is this year (2016) introducing a “head cracked and bleeding” cake. Even though you know it’s fake, the hyper-realistic effect makes it hard to take a bite.
The Thousand Sunny Sets Sail for Taiwan!"One Piece"-Themed Restaurant to Open in Taipei's East District
Fans of One Piece, rejoice！ Japan’s official ONE PIECE franchise has announced that the first overseas "One Piece"-themed restaurant will open in Taiwan, located in Taipei’s East District. Although the exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet, the restaurant will feature a specially designed One Piece menu as well as exclusive merchandise available only in Taiwan — news that has generated great excitement.
Autumn Silvergrass Viewing Season: A Budget-Friendly Guide to Must-Visit Spots Near Greater Taipei
The best time to admire silvergrass is around October to December each year, when vast expanses of white blooms sway in the wind, creating a breathtakingly rustic and picturesque autumn scene. For a relaxing and enjoyable silvergrass viewing trip, these spots in Taipei and New Taipei City are not to be missed!
Want to unwind? Come here—the stunning landscapes of Laos’ “Mekong River cruise” are like stepping into an ink painting.
Sometimes, going on a holiday abroad isn’t about admiring foreign scenery, but simply finding a place to truly relax. Luang Prabang in Laos is just such a city for rejuvenation. To experience the ultimate in relaxation, I highly recommend taking a “Mekong River cruise.” Lie back on the window-side lounge chair inside the boat, close your eyes, and bask in the gentle breeze that keeps brushing against your cheeks—it’s an absolutely wonderful experience.
Buy 1 Get 1 Free on International Tours at ITF Taipei Travel Fair — Paris 8-Day Direct Flight Tour for Just 40,000 NTD
Asia-Pacific’s most popular and Taiwan’s largest travel exhibition, the 2016 ITF Taipei International Travel Fair, is set to kick off with four days of excitement starting November 4. To coincide with year-end countdown events, the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, and the summer and winter breaks, major travel agencies are offering a variety of discounted short- and long-haul tour packages. In line with this year’s theme “Travel Together,” some even feature an unbeatable Buy 1 Get 1 Free deal, inviting everyone to explore the world together!
A creative steamed bao with a porcelain-like pattern — NT$480 each
Regent Taipei, known for continuously introducing various innovative Chinese dishes, has something new to offer again this time around. From November 7th to November 13th, in celebration of Hakka culinary culture, the hotel launches “Hakka Week.” The executive chef takes inspiration from the traditional Hakka snack, steamed bao, and blends it with Western cooking techniques and ingredients to create the “Tang Porcelain Preserved Plum Pork Belly Bao,” priced at NT$480 + 10%. Diners who visit during Hakka Week can enjoy an additional 20% discount.
It's all about stuffing yourself with meat—come try these 5 popular N< restaurants now!
"N< rice" is a common meal for many people nowadays. Whether for lunch or dinner, a steaming bowl of meaty N< rice is definitely a delightful treat. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially compiled a list of the "5 Most Popular N< Rice Spots" to help you enjoy a hearty meal during your dining time.
How do you pronounce “Law Lay Gan Do J”? The lively Guandu Festival on the 29th draws thousands to join the street parade
The “2016 Guandu Festival” will kick off on the 29th at the Guandu Natural Waterfront Park Plaza. This year, a total of 38 groups will showcase their creativity with self-made props during the “street parade,” and with the participating crowds, it’s expected that tens of thousands will join in the fun. In addition, 52 local businesses have been invited to take part in the event, offering discounts for at least one month starting from the day of the festival, giving the public a chance to shop happily.
The Shangri-La International Food Festival kicks off — Michelin-starred cuisine under NT$2,000
The second edition of the Shangri-La International Food Festival runs from October 25 to 31, featuring 11 international celebrity chefs who collectively hold 21 Michelin stars. The event takes place simultaneously at 10 Shangri-La hotels worldwide. At the Marco Polo Restaurant in Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, Italian chef Gaetano Trovato — who earned a Michelin star 30 years ago — is making a guest appearance. With a three-course lunch set priced at just NT$1,288, over 130 diners flocked in on the 25th to be among the first to taste his creations.
Every building here is so beautiful！Sipping tea and admiring the moon on the cliff at Wagokoro Villa’s “Furaian” teahouse
Located in Uchiko City, Ehime Prefecture, on Japan’s Shikoku Island, Uchiko is known as the “Little Kyoto of Iyo” (the former name of Ehime Prefecture) and served as a filming location for the classic Japanese drama *Tokyo Love Story*. It is also recognized as a one-star attraction in the Michelin Green Guide. Within this quaint and nostalgic town lies *Wagokoro Villa*, a building honored as a one-star architectural gem by the Michelin Green Guide. Among its highlights is the small teahouse “Furaian,” situated at the far end of the villa, tucked away in seclusion atop a cliff along the Kagami River.
Bencotto Restaurant Welcomes New Head Chef Who Loves Tomatoes and Italian Home-Style Flavors
Loris Pistillo is probably the biggest tomato enthusiast among Taipei Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s chefs. He is the new head chef at Bencotto Italian Restaurant. There are no flashy or overly elaborate cooking gimmicks or plating techniques—just authentic Italian home-style flavors inspired by his grandmother’s family recipes. Whether in salads, pasta, or pizza, you’ll find tomatoes in all kinds of styles. Loris Pistillo says he just loves tomatoes the most.
The inspiration for Spirited Away is right here—visit the Yunotsu Onsen hot springs in Japan and step into Granny Yubaba’s bathhouse!
There are many theories about where the bathhouse in Spirited Away was inspired. Some say it's Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s Three Ancient Springs, while others believe the prototype is the Notoya Ryokan in Yunotsu Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture. But if you fly to Yunotsu Onsen in northeastern Japan, the classic Japanese-style bathhouse buildings surrounded by rising steam truly give the illusion of stepping through a tunnel into Granny Yubaba’s mysterious world.
Attention friends in Taoyuan: Tim Ho Wan TaiMall branch will open on 11/2
After confirming its expansion to Kaohsiung, where will Tim Ho Wan open next? Now it's confirmed to be at TaiMall Shopping Center in Taoyuan City, with the opening date set for November 2. Friends in the Taoyuan area who love Tim Ho Wan no longer need to travel north to Taipei to enjoy Michelin-starred Hong Kong-style dim sum.
Come here this Christmas！Taichung’s “Lihpao Outlet” to Begin Soft Opening on 12/24
The long-awaited “Lihpao Outlet Mall” in central Taiwan is set to begin its soft opening on December 24. At that time, 120 brands and dining options will be available, and the mall will also feature Taiwan’s only dog park, much anticipated by the public.
Nighttime Only Special Offer！Taiwan's 20-Year-Old Yakitori Spot – From Just NT$15 Per Skewer
For someone like me who’s always more energetic at night, knowing where to find late-night snacks after 10 PM is essential information. After all, even if home is home, eating convenience store microwave meals too often doesn’t feel great for your health, and those frozen foods just lack that human touch in cooking. Back then, I used to get my late-night eats from the grilled skewers stall 【Charcoal Yakitori】 on Meicun Road, but it has since upgraded and moved to Zhongxiao Night Market as a proper shop.
The all-you-can-eat concept: These 5 ramen shops offer unlimited noodles
Taiwan probably has the most ramen shops in the world after Japan. You can find ramen shops in urban areas from north to south, including many authentic Taiwanese branches. But what if one bowl of ramen isn’t enough to fill you up? No worries — ETtoday EBC has compiled a list of 5 ramen shops where you can get unlimited refills on noodles. The owners are more worried that you might still be hungry.
Homemade Dishes from a Man’s Kitchen: Rich and Flavorful “Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork” That Pairs Perfectly with Rice
Though there’s no fish in fish-fragrant shredded pork, it boasts a unique aroma and a variety of textures from its ingredients. One bite feels like a symphony in your mouth—rich and surprisingly delightful.
Stay for just 380 TWD a night—Hualien’s 8 “designer youth hostels” at a glance
Youth hostels not only help you save on travel costs but also allow you to exchange travel stories with people from around the world, making them a popular choice among many travelers. Hualien, blessed with beautiful mountains and waters, has attracted many hostels in recent years. This article selects 7 designer yet affordable youth hostels in downtown Hualien, with the cheapest option available for as little as 380 TWD per night—a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.