Travel
“Taiwan’s Mt. Fuji” is added to your New Year challenge — hike up Miaoli’s Jiali Mountain to witness breathtaking sea of clouds
Located in Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County, “Jiali Mountain” is hailed as “Taiwan’s Mt. Fuji” due to its resemblance to Japan’s iconic peak. At 2,220 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in Miaoli County and is of moderate difficulty, making it one of Taiwan’s “Little Hundred Peaks.” Once you reach the summit, you’ll be greeted with an unobstructed panoramic view of the surrounding landscape — rolling mountains layered in depth, plus a dreamlike seas of clouds that conjure up an ethereal ink painting, making every step feel worthwhile.
Homemade Dishes from a Man’s Kitchen: Black Fungus and Fried Gluten with Rich Gravy
The fried gluten soaked with rich gravy, paired with vegetables of various textures, is perfect whether served hot or cold.
The "Taitung Secret Spot Camping Area" with a million-dollar night view—by day, enjoy boundless ocean scenery!
In recent years, camping has become a new travel choice for Taiwanese tourists. Located in Taitung, the "Taitung Secret Spot Camping Area" not only allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature but also offers a daytime view of the Pacific Ocean and a million-dollar night view of Taitung city lights at dusk, making it a popular camping destination in Taitung.
Nagata Sanuki Udon No.1/6 Opens at Breeze Taipei Station & Launches Limited Beef N< Bento
The third store in Taiwan of the popular Japanese queueing spot “Honke Kagawa Nagata Sanuki Udon” will officially open on the 2nd floor of Breeze Taipei Station on January 6. It will also introduce a limited takeout bento of its top-selling beef N< rice, priced at NT$125. From the opening day until January 8, the first 100 customers who order udon will receive one complimentary specified fried item.
Limited Time Only | Kyoto Ramen Specialty Shop Honke Daiichi Asahi Opens 1/10
Honke Daiichi Asahi, a renowned Kyoto ramen shop that previously appeared at the Kyoto Food Exhibition at Taipei Pacific SOGO Department Store’s Zhongxiao branch, is now launching a limited-time pop-up in Taiwan. The opening date is January 10th, and the location will be B1, No. 1, Qingcheng Street. Although it’s not a permanent store, ramen fans can enjoy the flavors without flying to Japan during this limited run—definitely something to look forward to.
The dreamy European-style manor in Nanzhuang transforms into a floral fairyland—come for coffee and feel like a flower spirit!
Nestled in Nanzhuang, Miaoli, there lies a secret garden paradise that girls dream of—the "Shan Fu Rong Coffee," which opened back in 1996 and can be considered the pioneer of mountain-view café spots. The café is designed as an elegant European garden, adorned with a variety of plants. The owner, Ms. Weng, says that the garden features different flowers blooming throughout the year, so no matter when you visit, you’ll be greeted by a burst of seasonal blooms that will delight any girl and make it impossible to stop snapping photos.
2016’s 8 Most Impressive Airport Facilities Worldwide — 3 in Asia
To provide a more comfortable environment, an increasing number of facilities and services are appearing in airport spaces, some even beyond our imagination. The world’s best airport facilities of 2016 have been announced — what special services do airports offer? The UK’s Daily Mail provides a detailed report. Passengers transiting through or stranded at these airports should definitely check them out next time they visit!
Get your fingers green with this viral Kyoto matcha French toast!
A must-do in Kyoto is trying matcha, and the hottest matcha item right now is the “Matcha French Toast” sold at Tea Venir, a souvenir shop in Gion. Generous amounts of matcha are boldly spread over thick slices of toast, with even the crusts coated in vibrant green—making it the trendiest dessert on Japanese Instagram!
Just a 5-minute walk away！ Capture stunning photos with your feet dangling at New Taipei’s hidden gem “Yuan Mountain”
Is visiting the old street the only thing to do in Sanxia? Actually, there’s a hidden spot near Sanxia Old Street called “Yuan Mountain.” The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking, offering a panoramic sight of National Freeway No. 3, Sanxia, and Yingge. Not only that, you can also take gravity-defying photos here similar to those at Yilan’s Eagle Rock or Beitou’s Battleship Rock—super thrilling.
Highly rated and now expanded—experience the luxurious Iyo-nada Monogatari 6-star sightseeing train for a relaxing trip through Shikoku!
Japan’s No. 1 rated sightseeing train—the Iyo-nada Monogatari—offers 6-star service and breathtaking seaside views, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Riding the Iyo-nada Monogatari is a dream come true for train enthusiasts. Its uniquely designed exterior, inspired by the gradient hues of the Iyo-nada sunset in deep crimson, paired with vibrant golden tones, blends nostalgia with modern flair for an eye-catching charm.
Spring Pilgrimage in Japan ~ Pray for Fortune with Lucky Tiles on a "Three" Promise "Sea" Vow Romantic Getaway
Embark on a Japanese spring journey to enjoy nature and culture, and immerse yourself in local customs by tossing a lucky tile, making wishes for a whole year of happiness amidst the breathtaking "Three" Promise "Sea" Vow scenery. Among Japan’s many romantic spots for couples, none is more unique than ~ Mt. Baichou Peak Park. Take the cable car up to Mt. Baichou Peak Park in Fukui Prefecture, where you can gaze out over Lake Mikata and the scenic Rias coastline of the Sea of Japan from the mountaintop.
Spring Cherry Blossoms in Bloom～A Japanese Adventure Through San’in and San’yō, Embracing the Seasonal Charm of Traditional Japan
Just how beautiful are spring cherry blossoms? Discover their splendor in Japan’s San’in and San’yō regions. The most picturesque spots of the season are where the petals gently fall～Fuefukigawa Embankment in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture—located in the San’in area—is one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.” With around a 2-kilometer-long path lined with cherry trees, thousands of blossoms bloom simultaneously in spring.
Expert-guided tour alert: Kyoto Tower’s newly opened shopping mall in 2017 – more fun and more shopping!
Kyoto Tower in Japan is the first iconic landmark you see right outside the gate after arriving in Kyoto via the Haruka limited express from Kansai Airport. Although the station and its surrounding area offer a full range of facilities including extended malls and various souvenir shops, as well as department stores like Isetan, The Cube, and Porta, the world's tallest non-steel structure, Kyoto Tower, is no less remarkable. Just before the New Year’s Eve, an announcement was made about the opening of the new mall “Kyoto Tower Sando.”
3 Origins of Laba Congee: Commemorating Buddha’s Enlightenment or Created by Zhu Yuanzhang?
Today is January 5 in the Gregorian calendar, marking not only the "Minor Cold" period of the 24 solar terms but also the "Laba Festival" on the eighth day of the 12th lunar month. Many may have heard of "Laba congee," but do you know its origins? Some believe it’s related to sacrificial rituals, others credit Zhu Yuanzhang, but the most widely known story is that it commemorates the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)!
Lady M Jinghua Counter Opening Purchase Rules: Queue on-site, limited to 6 slices per person
The first Lady M store in Taiwan, the Jinghua counter of the popular New York dessert brand, will open on January 12. Flavors include the classic original layered cake, matcha layered cake, cheese cloud cake, vanilla chocolate checkerboard cake, chestnut walnut cake, and strawberry sponge cake. The official Facebook page has also announced the purchase rules for opening day: customers must queue on-site, with sales primarily focused on individual slices, limited to 6 slices per person, with no restriction on flavors.
Shangri-La Cairns Executive Chef Guest Appearance at Far East Café Bringing Authentic Australian Flavors
From January 6 to 15, the buffet restaurant Far East Café on the sixth floor of Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Taipei welcomes Executive Chef Cameron McLeod from Shangri-La Cairns to create an authentic Australian dining experience during lunch and dinner. The highlight is the Australian pavlova with poached fruits—a famous and widely loved dessert among both adults and children in Australia.
Cherry Duck Gets a New Twist: Grand Formosa Regent’s Creative “Pickled Mustard Duck Hot Pot”
What happens when roast duck meets pickled mustard pork hot pot? The “Emerald Court” Chinese Restaurant at Grand Formosa Regent TICC World Trade Center has launched a winter classic—pickled mustard pork hot pot—while also combining it with the three-ways-to-enjoy cherry roast duck to innovate a “Pickled Mustard Duck Hot Pot,” available à la carte for NT$780 + 10%.
Taiwan’s first cultural and creative magazine library is located right upstairs at HowToTrip Tianmu Store
The cultural and creative lifestyle brand "HowToTrip," dedicated to gathering Taiwan’s finest people, things, and stories into a “hill,” has joined forces with "BOVEN," which creates beauty through reading. Together, they have launched the new brand “mini BOVEN Magazine Library” on the second floor of HowToTrip Tianmu Store. It is the first theme-based magazine library to officially enter the Tianmu area as a community-oriented shop.
Free Attractions in Yilan: Changpi Lake with Stunning Lake Views and Dreamy Rainbows
Located in the Sanxing area of Yilan, Changpi Lake Scenic Area sits at an altitude of 135 meters. It’s hard not to be drawn to this lake nestled in the mountainside when passing by on your way to Mingchi, Taipingshan, or Wuling Farm. There’s an artificial “fountain” in the lake, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a rainbow alongside it—absolutely breathtaking views!
Will Shuizhongyang 2.0 repeat the same mistake? Overwhelmed by crowds, traffic control to be enforced
Could another viral scenic spot soon follow in Bayan’s footsteps? The upgraded Shuizhongyang in Xinghua Li, Sanchi District, along Beixin Township Road 8 between Tamsui and Jinshan, has become so popular that the once-quiet country road is now packed with visitors. To achieve a win-win for both tourists and residents, the Tamsui Police Precinct will implement traffic controls on Beixin Line 8, where Shuizhongyang is located, every holiday starting January 7.