Travel
Absolutely First-Class: Three Must-Try Dishes at The Okura Prestige Taipei
The Tokyo Okura Hotel, known as one of the "Three Great Hotels," features a signature dish in each of its restaurants—masterpieces crafted by the chefs that are touted as must-eat-at-least-once-in-a-lifetime meals, hence called “Absolutely First-Class.” In 2017, The Okura Prestige Taipei welcomed three renowned chefs from Hong Kong and Japan to oversee three of its restaurants: Taohualin Chinese Cuisine, European Dining Buffet, and Yamazato Japanese Restaurant. Together, they created what are now considered the Absolutely First-Class dishes of The Okura Prestige Taipei.
Asia's First-ever "Diving Hotel" in Taichung Costs $200 Million – Exclusive Underwater Footage Released
Italy’s four-star hotel “Hotel Terme Millepini” is famous for its 40-foot-deep pool, where visitors can dive and swim freely even in the city, attracting many diving enthusiasts to book stays. Now, Asia’s only dedicated diving hotel is about to be born — located in West District, Taichung, built with a $200 million investment, and drawing huge attention even before opening.
Most Beautiful Deep-Mountain Elementary School Tea Plantations and Sea of Clouds Create Dreamy Aerial Views Resembling “Taiwan”
What’s it like to attend classes surrounded by breathtaking tea plantations? Zhanghu Elementary and Junior High School is Taiwan’s first ecological elementary and junior high school and a key development project for Yunlin County. Known for its tea, the area has further developed organic tea cultivation in conjunction with the establishment of this eco-friendly school. The colorful campus buildings, nestled among mountains and tea fields, take on the shape of a treasure island when viewed from above.
Must-read before shopping spree: A complete guide to Japan’s discount seasons – Shop at the cheapest time
Among tourists visiting Japan, some might think “Japan is expensive!” Depending on one’s financial situation, that’s certainly an understandable feeling. But in reality, if you visit during one of Japan’s several annual discount sales periods, shopping becomes very affordable, allowing you to enjoy it to the fullest.
Seasonal Highlight: Golden Ocean of Flowers in Taoyuan for a Romantic Escape
The hottest thing this season has to be the bald cypress trees!! But in Daxi, there’s a spot covered in bright yellow marigolds. hsuan had read about it online before and thought it would be super photogenic, so she decided to check it out. The only downside is that the flower field is right by the roadside, so be careful when taking photos.
January birthday celebrants get free admission to the Chi Mei Museum & a handmade dessert
The Tainan Chi Mei Museum has been established for 25 years. To show gratitude for public support, the museum is hosting a series of events themed “Information,” aiming not only to attract more visitors but also to introduce the museum’s collections to the public.
Lollipop cakes floating on clouds—Taipei’s dreamy desserts also feature an ultra-instagrammable floral wall
Walking along the streets of East District, it’s hard not to be drawn in by the huge floral wall in front of “HerDor Tea House.” The entire café exudes a dreamy, sweet pink aesthetic, with frilly skirt decorations around the tables. Large glass windows let in natural light from outside, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
A skywalk sought after by photographers — Hsinchu’s popular dating spot plays a romantic tune
Located at the end of the 17-kilometer coastline in Xiangshan District, Hsinchu City, there is the most beautiful skywalk in Hsinchu. Spanning the West Coast Highway, its pure white semicircular arch paired with steel cables resembles a giant harp standing in the sky, hence its very beautiful name — "Harp Bridge." The most stunning time to admire the bridge is undoubtedly at sunset, when the glow of the setting sun creates an incredibly romantic scene.
Crisis at the Egyptian Pyramids: Tourist numbers plummet 50% in six years, leaving no funds for maintenance
Once hugely popular, Egypt used to be many people’s top travel destination, but for some reason, fewer travelers have been visiting recently. According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, years of political instability and a sharp decline in tourists have impacted the upkeep of the heritage sites themselves.
A One-Day Trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand: Explore Doi Suthep Temple and Stroll by the River for Afternoon Tea
It’s said that when visiting Chiang Mai, you simply must make the trip up Doi Suthep Mountain to see the gleaming Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (also known as the Twin Dragons Temple, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep/'1 #028-"*8@ )! Legend has it that the temple was established where a wise white elephant, carrying sacred Buddha relics, stopped of its own accord and chose this very spot to build a chedi for enshrining the relics—thus making it a sacred site that locals believe everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Hot air balloon rooftops and geometric walls: Dapeng Art Center in Fengshan becomes a tourist hotspot
The unusual buildings by the main road leave a deep impression, with their square main structures adorned with glass mirrors forming geometric patterns that resemble ornamental boxes from afar. The pedestrian zone outlined at the perimeter also features hot air balloon-like roofs, making them the most eye-catching highlight of Dapeng Art Center.
Tianmu Italian Artisanal Gelato – Savor a Matcha Flavor Worthy of Tea Ceremony Mastery!
On the road This shop not only offers a set selection of gelato flavors daily but also rotates 7–8 surprise flavors to keep things fresh. In addition to being low-fat, low-sugar, and low-GI, the gelato incorporates three of Europe’s top chocolates—Michel Cluizel, AMEDEI, and Valrhona. The whiskey and rum-infused gelatos are absolute classics. What’s more, the shop even serves mulled wine, a common sight at European Christmas markets, and offers customizable flavors and delivery services, making it the go-to spot for Italian handmade gelato in Tianmu.
Soak in hot springs in Wulai and admire the water dance at Bitan Lake—A relaxing one-day trip to Taipei’s backyard garden
Haven’t planned anything for the Spring Festival holiday and don’t want to squeeze into crowded places? Why not take a short trip to Wulai and Bitan when the weather turns a little cooler? No need for a tight schedule—just relax, soak in Wulai’s hot springs, snack around the old street, then head to a scenic lakeside restaurant at Bitan in the evening to enjoy the water dance in comfort. You can still have a fulfilling and pleasant weekend without traveling too far.
Ride T-Bike to Explore Tainan During Chinese New Year – 10 New Stations Including Chihkan Tower and Yenping Prince Shrine Now Open
Following the launch of its tourism calendar, Tainan’s public bicycle system T-Bike is adding ten new stations in and around the city’s historical districts to accommodate the surge in visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Taiwanese Go Crazy for Outlets: Japanese General Manager of Lihpao Says Service Is the Key to Success
Lihpao Outlet, home to Taiwan’s largest Ferris wheel, has become the newest landmark in Taichung. The operator specially invited a Japanese consulting team to tailor the development, and has also introduced Sapporo cosmetics, Hokkaido Shin-Hakken Factory, and four authentic famous Hokkaido ramen shops. The goal is to make Taiwanese visitors feel as if they've come to Japan without leaving the country. Japanese General Manager of Lihpao Group, Kiitsu Yoshiyuki, said that consumers are constantly evolving, and the services provided by shopping malls must keep up with the times—those that resist change will be left behind.
Attention travelers about to go abroad！ The 8 most common mistakes at the airport
Traveling abroad is an exciting thing, but the process of preparing to board a plane at the airport can often feel chaotic. If you can get through everything smoothly from stepping into the airport to boarding the plane, your mind will be much more at ease before departure！ An overseas website, SMARTERTRAVEL, has compiled 10 common mistakes travelers make at airports and teaches you how to save time and money wisely. Two of these don’t really apply in Taiwan, so they are not listed here, but are provided as a reference for those about to go abroad.
Sydney Foodie’s 10-Year-Compiled List: 47 Restaurant Tips & Guide
I have to say, Sydney really has an abundance of great food. Having lived here for over a decade, my taste buds have definitely become more discerning. Over the years, I’ve gathered quite a list of go-to restaurants, and today, I finally have the time to organize and share them with you all. This food guide mainly features the restaurants I personally enjoy—some are long-time favorites that have never let me down, while others are newer discoveries. The focus is mainly on central Sydney and its surrounding areas.
Want to see the free Bolly exhibition at Taipei Expo Park? 9 fun missions let kids have a blast!
Fans of the cartoon "Rescue Heroes Bolly" are in for a treat—the "2016 Poli World" exhibition is now underway at the Yuanshan Flower Exhibition Hall in Taipei. This marks the first overseas showcase following its debut in South Korea, featuring 9 brand-new mission zones. Dubbed "Taiwan’s largest 'play'-focused exhibition," it offers free entry until February 26!
"Run" to Tainan for breakfast—and enjoy limited-edition Wan Jia Xiang barbecue!
Have you tried all kinds of local delicacies in Tainan and can’t think of what else to have for breakfast? Why not check out “Paopao Sandwich,” a brand-new spot that opened in late March 2016? It all started with the sisters’ simple desire to cook delicious meals for their family. That dream soon gave them the courage to step out of their comfort zone and hit the road in their super cute food truck to make their culinary aspirations come true.
Step into a green tunnel for fresh forest air — explore the "Xinfeng Mangrove Secret Realm" following Totoro’s footsteps
The "Hongmaogang Mangrove" in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu, is the only mangrove in northern Taiwan where both Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina grow together, covering an area of 8.5 hectares. The park features walking trails, with several wooden pavilions and viewing platforms along the way for rest. The most beautiful sight is undoubtedly the lush "green tunnel," where Kandelia obovata trees taller than a person line both sides of the boardwalk. Walking here feels like stepping into a mysterious scene from a Totoro movie, immersed in a world of nothing but green.