Travel
The most talked-about drinks of 2016 among netizens – No. 1 is right here
Originally, drinks were meant to quench the body’s “thirst,” but in recent years they’ve also acquired a “trendy” appeal. Do you still remember which drinks went viral this year? DailyView’s Internet Popularity Meter conducted a survey on various specialty bubble tea drinks using the “KEYPO Big Data Key Engine.” The drink that garnered the most online discussion in 2016 was 50 Lan’s Matcha Latte, followed by vending machine milk tea at No. 2, and Maru Tsuo Tea’s Caramel/Tapioca Pearl Fresh Milk at No. 3.
A Perfect Encounter of Mountain and Sea: Explore Hidden Trails and Coastal Intertidal Zones in Badouzi!
The Badouzi Railway Station in Keelung was officially opened yesterday (28th), and is being hailed as the most beautiful hidden-gem railway station in northern Taiwan. ETtoday EBC News specially selected one mountain and one sea — two lesser-known private spots — to showcase the beauty of Badouzi from different perspectives.
Upward trend: Starting from New Year’s Day, the price of leek potstickers at Bayfay rises by 0.5 RMB, soup by 5 RMB
Due to increased labor costs from the new "one fixed day off, one flexible rest day" policy and consecutive years of rising prices, the potsticker and dumpling chain brand Bayfay announced that starting January 1, 2017, the price of each leek potsticker would be raised by 0.5 RMB, while the price of soup and soy milk — which had never been adjusted since the brand’s inception — would increase by 5 RMB and 2 RMB respectively. After the adjustment, each bowl of soup will cost 30 RMB and each cup of soy milk 17 RMB.
A Winter Wonderland of Maple Red!
Winter is the perfect season to go mountain hiking and admire the maple leaves. Alishan has always been one of the top destinations for leaf-peepers. With the recent drop in temperature, not only have the leaves on the treetops turned a deeper red, but the crimson carpet of fallen leaves scattered across the ground is simply breathtaking. In winter, Alishan is often shrouded in mist, and the combination of red foliage and sea of clouds creates a stunningly beautiful scene—walking among it feels like stepping into an autumn or winter painting.
Breathtaking Views: Discover Taipei’s Top 3 “High-Altitude Bars” for Stunning City Nights
Gazing at the night view of Greater Taipei from high above and taking in the vibrant cityscape is an especially delightful experience. You might want to gather a few friends, sip drinks, chat, and enjoy a great gathering under the stunning night sky. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially selected Taipei’s top 3 high-altitude bars. Why not visit one during New Year’s Eve to admire the captivating night view of Taipei?
The Jinghua branch’s lease has expired. Heshimeng: André Chiang has no plans to withdraw from Taiwan
French patisserie André Chiang was reported by employees to the media for laying off staff at the end of the year without providing severance pay. In response, Heshimeng Catering Group stated that the Jinghua branch would not renew its lease upon its expiration on December 31. However, the company offered Jinghua branch employees the opportunity to retain their original positions and salaries, with the option to transfer to other locations under the same brand, and there is no issue of layoffs or refusal to pay severance. For employees unwilling to transfer, both parties are currently engaging in labor consultations through the Taipei City Labor Bureau.
Must-Read for Your New Year’s Holiday Trip to Yilan: “5 Major Traffic Controls” to Ease Congestion
Yilan, which usually sees heavy traffic during consecutive holidays, is gearing up for the upcoming 3-day New Year’s holiday. In addition to announcing peak times for southbound and northbound traffic on national highways over the 3-day period, the authorities have also released information on road controls, public transportation, and the addition of temporary parking lots. They also encourage the public to use public transport when traveling during the holiday.
Taiwan’s Most Beautiful “Sky Cycling Path” – Enjoy the Night Scenery of Kaohsiung Harbor with the Evening Breeze
The night scenery of Kaohsiung Harbor is so breathtakingly beautiful that cycling under the pleasant evening sky is one of the most relaxing pastimes. Kaohsiung’s second bicycle bridge, “Qianzhen Star,” is designed in a starry city style to create a romantic sky bridge exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. Its sleek, streamlined structure offers spectacularly beautiful views both during the day and at night.
The last MRT trains will run until 2 AM on New Year’s Eve in Kaohsiung — transportation info for transit and parking during the countdown
Attention travelers planning to ring in the New Year in Kaohsiung: To accommodate the crowds at the 2017 New Year's Eve concert at Dream Mall in Kaohsiung, the Kaohsiung MRT will extend its operating hours on December 31. The last Red and Orange line trains of the day will depart from their terminal stations at 2 AM the following morning. Additionally, passengers attending the New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony can take the earlier-than-usual first service trains departing at 5:15 AM from Xiaogang Station, 5:10 AM from Nangangshan Station, 5:39 AM from Sizihwan Station, and 5:20 AM from Daliao Station.
Men’s Kitchen: Winter Home-style Dish – The Heartwarming “Lotus Seed Chicken Soup”
It’s truly a blissful feeling to have a bowl of hot soup when the weather turns cooler. This time, we’re using bamboo fungus—believed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to relieve pain, boost qi, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol—paired with lotus seeds, known for their benefits to the spleen and stomach, lungs, and calming the heart and mind... among other advantages—to create this soup. We hope to offer you a different and delicious chicken soup to enjoy throughout the coming winter.
The world’s largest Minion Park is coming soon！2017's top three entertainment highlights in Japan
The number of Taiwanese travelers visiting Japan has hit record highs year after year, with large theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios being the most popular among visitors. With the upcoming official opening of the LEGO Land in Nagoya, this article rounds up the top three newest entertainment highlights in Japan for 2017. Be sure to plan your trip ahead and be among the first to experience them when they open！
Michelin-recommended, authentic Hong Kong-style hot pot at HowToTrip’s Dong Lai Ju at Regent Taipei
Want to try the delicious flavors loved by superstars like Aaron Kwok and Leon Lai? From January 11th to 14th, you can enjoy them at San Fan Ben Jia in Regent Taipei. Dong Lai Ju, the world's only restaurant to be consecutively recommended by the Michelin Guide for three years and a winner of CNN’s Best Hot Pot in Hong Kong, has been invited by Regent Taipei to host a special food event in Taiwan. The chef will present four signature hot pot broths — Flaming Shrimp Soup, Coriander Century Egg, Sichuan Spicy, and Chaoshan Satay — along with several exclusive hot pot ingredients. Broths start at NT$400 each, while single ingredients start at NT$250 each.
Korean superstar Rain kicks off the New Year with a concert in Taipei, staying in the Presidential Suite at the Taipei Far Eastern Hotel
After a five-year hiatus, Korean heartthrob Rain will arrive in Taiwan on December 31, 2016, to hold a New Year’s Eve concert. Staying in Taipei for just one whirlwind day, Rain will be accommodated in the 70-square-meter Presidential Suite at the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei. To welcome the superstar, the hotel has prepared a range of treats including handmade chocolates, European-style cakes, the signature Taiwanese braised beef noodle from Li Bai Ju, soups from Xiang Palace, Hong Kong-style dim sum, and xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) from Shanghai Zui Yue Lou.
Hidden Island Paradise: 6 “Secret Beaches” of Phuket, Thailand Revealed
Located in the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, Phuket Island is a world-renowned tropical tourist destination. Its crystal-clear waters and sunny climate attract numerous visitors for vacation adventures every year. In fact, the island holds even more beautiful hidden gems waiting to be discovered—this time, we’re revealing Phuket’s 6 “secret beaches”!
Calling all matcha lovers again！A Kaohsiung bubble tea shop launches limited-edition handmade "matcha tapioca pearls"
The competition in Taiwan’s bubble tea market is fierce. Recently, the wildly popular 50 Ran Matcha Latte and Ching Shing’s hidden-menu pearl honey Pu’er fresh milk tea have kept staff extremely busy. Located in Kaohsiung, Xia Mu Ri Chu is famous for its delicious fresh milk tea. Its uniquely flavored handmade boba pearls have made customers instantly addicted. Now, it has unveiled a “matcha tapioca pearl” drink that will make both matcha and boba fans scream with delight.
Do you need to provide your Instagram account when entering the U.S.? Controversy over privacy issues in the visa waiver program
Must you provide the account of a social media platform when entering the United States? Can you accept this rule? According to the website Petapixel, the U.S. government now requires certain foreign travelers coming to the U.S. to submit information about their social media accounts before entry, one of the options being Instagram.
Delicious meals delivered to your door The Regent Taipei launches frozen New Year’s dishes for the first time
With Lunar New Year approaching, hotel operators have recently been promoting takeout New Year’s dishes. However, unlike most hotels that focus on room-temperature New Year’s dishes, The Regent Taipei at The Westin this year not only offers room-temperature New Year’s dishes but also introduces four frozen New Year’s dishes for the first time. These include traditional Taiwanese Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, matsutake and cordyceps black-feather chicken soup, smoked basil plum spare ribs, and sugarcane bamboo shoot honey-glazed trotter. They can be delivered to your home, eliminating the need to pick them up at a designated time. The Regent Taipei stated that this is a first-year market test, with a limited release of 1,000 portions of frozen New Year’s dishes.
Love this flavor? Taipei’s 11 Most Popular Hong Kong-Style Dishes & Cha Chaan Tengs
Hong Kong-style cuisine offers a wide variety, including not just dim sum, yum cha, roasted meats, and Cantonese dishes—each with its own unique taste whether you're having a full meal or a light afternoon tea. ETtoday ETToday East News Cloud has specially compiled a list of 11 popular Hong Kong-style eateries in Taipei. Have you tried all of these distinctive “Hong Kong flavors”?
It's confirmed — Lady M's first Taiwan store will open on January 12.
Earlier, ETtoday Ettoday News Cloud reported that the Taiwanese flagship of New York’s popular dessert brand Lady M was expected to open in mid-to-late January 2017, before Lunar New Year, at the Regent Taipei, a hotel it had previously collaborated with. Now the date is finalized — the opening will take place on January 12. Additionally, the business has revealed that a Lady M flagship store will follow in February.
Walk to the edge of the sky — The "skywalk" in Pingtung offers breathtaking views of Dawu Mountain right beneath your feet
Skywalks have always been one of travelers’ favorite photo spots, but this “bridge to the sky” in Pingtung makes you feel like you’re stepping into the edge of the sky, with the stunning beauty of Dawu Mountain spread out underfoot. The suspended red bridge is packed with thrill and every step feels nerve-wracking. Adventure lovers who enjoy outdoor excitement will definitely fall in love with this skywalk.