In Taiwan’s diverse market, only “reinvention” can attract crowds. “Q Garden,” which brings together European-style furniture, plant landscaping, and Italian-French cuisine, boldly uses a variety of mixed elements. The entire restaurant is as vibrant and ever-changing as a floral wonderland. Girls who visit can’t help but shriek with delight and linger for a long time.
During Japan’s colonial rule, Taiwan entered a new chapter in architectural history, leaving behind many iconic transportation structures. Due to the island’s steep terrain and numerous fast-flowing rivers, bridges were essential to connect different regions, giving rise to many beautiful historic bridges. Below are three charming old bridges that are well worth a day trip to explore and appreciate.
Residents of Taipei are in luck—no need to travel to other cities to enjoy flowers. The sunflower field under the Mai-Shuai II Bridge on the Rainbow Riverside is currently blooming beautifully, with vast golden fields attracting many visitors for photos. The Taipei Water Department says the blooming period is expected to last until mid-February, making it a great spot for Lunar New Year outings.
The Yurikamome Line, departing from Shimbashi Station, runs along Tokyo Bay, crosses the Rainbow Bridge over the bay into Odaiba, and makes a half-circle around Odaiba before arriving at Aomi Station. This is the best train route in Tokyo, in my opinion. You can see the entire Tokyo harbor, and when passing the Rainbow Bridge, there’s a big turn that feels as thrilling as an adventure train ride in an amusement park.
When it comes to tonkatsu restaurants in Taichung, it’s hard not to mention "Uma Yakiniku"... and then the next thing people say is: the phone line is so hard to get through, often ringing until the sky turns pitch black... The first time we got through was after 9 PM, and even then, we couldn’t book our ideal time slot~ Uma: “Miss, for the date you requested, the earliest available time is 11:30 AM. Would you like us to reserve it for you?” Us: “Wow... thanks, but maybe some other time!”
Howl's Moving Castle appears in the mountains of Hsinchu! On Lidong Mountain, which lies on the border between Hsinchu and Taoyuan, there are two uniquely distinctive buildings. Lidong Mountain Villa, located at the trailhead, bears the marks of time and possesses a unique, dilapidated beauty, even earning the nickname “Howl's Moving Castle” from netizens! At the summit stands Lidong Mountain Ancient Fortress, which dates back to the Qing Dynasty. After several battles, only the gate and some broken walls remain, serving as a testament to the tragic warfare of that time.
Last time at Si Lu Kitchen, I had a bowl of braised pork rice with crispy bits of pork cracklings (lard residue), and then I mentioned My Stove, a place I visited recently where a bowl of braised pork rice also costs a rather premium NT$80. My Stove is a Taiwanese cuisine eatery, and since I’d heard it does good business, I made a reservation for two in advance.
Still overwhelmed by preparing New Year’s dishes? Starting January 27, the Eat Bar at amba Taipei Ximending Yishè Hotel will launch a five-day series of Lunar New Year’s Eve hot pot buffet feasts. Add just NT$380 to any à la carte main course to enjoy the salad bar, plus a 10% discount on your meal. There are also multiple major prizes to be won, ensuring you ring in the New Year with joy and usher in prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Rooster.
Most people have a basic idea of the benefits of avocados. Now, with the healthy fruit enjoying a great image, the Netherlands has welcomed its very first avocado-themed restaurant. This is great news for travelers—if you’re tired of limp salads or boring sandwiches, a wholesome avocado meal is a much better choice. Let’s do a happy dance!
The Greek Aegean Sea has always been a highly coveted holiday destination, with its azure skies and white clouds. Gazing out at the sea meeting the sky, it’s hard to tell where the ocean ends and the heavens begin. The elegant Mediterranean-style architecture is equally captivating. Many restaurants and homestays across the country have embraced Greek aesthetics, and the “Aegean Sea Homestay” located along Hualien’s coastline is one such place, built in imitation of Greek style. Here, you can wander through a world of blue and white, lost in the dreams of Greece.
In a bustling city filled with traffic and fast-paced life, a park that helps relax the mind, body, and soul, and refreshes the senses becomes even more important. The Qianshan Park in Yangmingshan boasts just such qualities — a vast lake, small bridges over flowing water, an abundance of greenery, and even sulfur hot spring pools where you can soak your feet. This year, it earned unanimous acclaim from the judges of the “2016 4th Taiwan Landscape Awards,” winning the prestigious “Annual Grand Prize” in the landscape design category.
Accommodation is an important aspect of travel for many people, and sometimes it's also a way to experience local culture. Hotels.com recommends fantastical stays that offer an authentic experience for travelers worldwide, including underwater hotels surrounded by fish, childhood-dream treehouses, spending a night in an ice-built igloo, and even a surreal spaceship. These ten magical accommodations are sure to make you want to stay overnight.
The Champs-Élysées in central Paris is moving toward a “car-free” goal, and could eventually transform into a massive pedestrian zone. For now, only one full day per month is completely vehicle-free. As an alternative to driving, the city hall plans to add more bike lanes and new tram lines to offer residents new transportation options.
Just one month away from Western Valentine’s Day—the annual holiday dedicated to celebrating with your significant other—restaurants and hotels are rolling out all kinds of romantic candlelight dinner sets. Have you made any plans yet for Valentine’s Day? If not, check out these romantic dinner options from selected restaurants and hotels, and enjoy a candlelit date.
The trend of "glass house restaurants" is still going strong. Their simple yet refined exterior designs always carry an air of elegance without being overly pricey. Located by the Heart of the Love River, "Dune Nantes Brunch" combines glass architecture with greenery, creating a fresh concept that turns into an urban mini-garden where you can enjoy delicious food.
When it comes to weekend leisure, is it still just movies, karaoke, or afternoon tea? With the good weather, why not use your feet and eyes to get to know Taipei all over again? Exploring greater Taipei doesn’t have to mean shopping—sometimes the streets and alleys that seem “nothing special” can offer unexpected surprises. Here are 5 city routes in Taipei that are perfect for those looking for a relaxing stroll.
Lady M, a must-try dessert in New York, officially opened its first Taiwan branch at the Regent Taipei counter on January 12, immediately causing a buying frenzy. Its flagship store will also open in February. Aside from Lady M, there were previously 3 other New York-inspired food spots in Taiwan — have you tried them all?
Kaohsiung’s Sizihwan Bay is a famous sunset-viewing coastal spot. Strolling along the beach as the sun sets is a top choice for couples on dates, and the bustling tourist area attracts visitors from all over. After a major renovation, the Sizihwan bus shelter has become Taiwan’s most romantic nighttime bus stop.
The “Barrier-Free Alpine Elevated Scenic Walkway,” promoted and built by Nantou County Government, is expected to open before the end of February. This will help avoid the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, not only ensuring visitor safety but also providing a new scenic viewing option with six large and small observation platforms along the route.
Camping has become the new travel trend. Surrounded by natural beauty, family and friends work together to pitch tents and cook, enjoying the scenery while savoring homemade meals — a great way to bond. 《ETtoday EBC News Cloud》 has selected 8 campsites in Taiwan where you can admire million-dollar night views. Step out of your tent and overlook a city skyline of stars, falling asleep under the celestial dome of heaven and earth. It’s sure to create wonderful shared travel memories.