Travel
Popular Taoyuan café opens new branch with limited-edition soft and chewy “iron pan pancake”
The wildly popular “Fosen Café” in Daxi, which has just been awarded Taoyuan’s Golden Store title, left a deep impression after just one visit; recently, a new branch opened in Zhongli, and I rushed over to try it out—and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Located at the intersection of Huannan Road and Xinxing Road in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Fosen Café’s Zhongli Haihua Branch continues the nostalgic style of a renovated old house.
Chess pieces are moved by “carrying”! The Fuhé Bridge Giant Chess Set is back in play
In the giant chess park, chess pieces aren’t picked up but “carried,” and moves aren’t thought out but “called out.” To create an age-friendly city and offer seniors diverse recreational activities in riverside parks, New Taipei City Government set up a chess park under Fuhé Bridge in Yonghe District, turning it into a distinctive riverside attraction.
A Grand Comparison of Cherry Blossoms in Taiwan, Japan, and Korea: The Rankings of the Most Beloved Blossom-Spotting Destinations Are Out!
As the Spring Festival approaches, along with the exciting season of cherry blossoms in full bloom, the beautiful sight of pink petals falling like soft snow is beloved by many. However, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea all offer fantastic cherry blossom viewing spots. On the 22nd, Daily View Network Temperature Gauge released the “Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots in Taiwan, Japan, and Korea” with the highest online discussion, so which one tugs at your heartstrings the most?
Head to the east coast to unwind and enjoy the sea during the New Year holidays！Seven popular attractions in Hualien and Taitung announce traffic management plans for the Spring Festival holiday
With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration announced on the 23rd a well-prepared traffic management plan for the two counties of Hualien and Taitung, targeting congested scenic spots and roads. Traffic controls will be implemented at seven popular attractions along with shuttle bus services, and travelers are encouraged to make use of these arrangements.
Airbnb breaks the mold—5 global travelers have a chance to spend a night at the Sydney Opera House
According to a report on Lonely Planet, if the partnership between the Sydney Opera House and the renowned accommodation platform Airbnb goes through, travelers will have the opportunity to spend a night in this iconic landmark. Isn’t that just the dream!?
New Year's Eve Travel Alert: These 11 Popular Yilan Attractions Will Be Closed for the Day
With the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, many travelers are starting to plan their festive breaks. On the 24th, Yilan County Government announced that 11 popular attractions will be closed on New Year's Eve (1/27), reminding visitors to plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Catch the last wave of the "pine" chasing craze！ We’ve scoured 20 tamarisk viewing spots across Taiwan
When it comes to tamarisk trees, they were arguably the spotlight of public attention in 2016. As the seasons change, their leaves transition from green to golden yellow, orange, and deep red, layering into a breathtaking palette. Every snapshot feels like you’re in a foreign land. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has compiled a list of 20 tamarisk viewing spots that went viral across Taiwan in 2016. Seize the last chance to capture their uniquely stunning beauty！
Even larger than the Linkou OUTLET — Mitsui to build a large-scale shopping complex in Nangang District
Shortly after announcing plans for the MITSUI OUTLET PARK Taichung Harbor (tentative name, scheduled to open in 2018), Mitsui Fudosan Group announced on the 24th that it will partner with CTBC Group to develop a large-scale chain shopping complex “LaLaport” in Nangang District, Taipei City. The total floor area will be around 50,000 pyeong (approximately 165,000 square meters), making it even larger than the 42,500 pyeong (approx. 140,000 square meters) of the Linkou OUTLET. It is expected to open and begin operations in Nangang District, Taipei City in 2021, tentatively named LaLaport Nangang.
Bringing books to the restaurant for reading is totally OK too！4 Highlights of Taipei’s “Tsutaya Books”
Known as one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, Japan’s “Tsutaya Books” has officially opened its first overseas store, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE, on the 5th floor of Taipei’s Uni-President Times Square on the 24th. It aims to promote various lifestyle aesthetics through a diverse selection of books that spread the joy of reading, encouraging people to love reading even more. ETtoday EBC has compiled 4 highlights of Taiwan’s TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE — come experience this uniquely bookish atmosphere for yourself.
Top 10 Emerging Travel Destinations in the First Half of 2017 – The Number One Spot May Surprise You!
Have you planned your next trip for the new year? If you haven’t decided yet, why not add these 10 emerging travel destinations for 2017 to your list? From Nepal with its unique exotic charm, the honeymoon favorite Maldives, to Finland for chasing the Northern Lights and meeting Santa Claus—add these places to your travel wish list with your partner!
First batch of 2/3 Hong Kong food trucks begins operation — featuring a "Disappointed Soul Burger"
Food trucks, part of the American roadside dining culture, can now be experienced in Hong Kong. The first 16 food trucks selected under the Food Truck Pilot Scheme promoted by the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau will begin service on February 3. Their locations were determined by lottery, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong, and Wong Tai Sin Plaza. The offerings include American-style fork buns, Disappointed Soul Burgers, and whipped cream pineapple buns.
From hidden tunnels to sky castles！ A complete guide to 20 popular and hidden gems in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli
Whether it’s a rare consecutive holiday for office workers or the long-awaited winter and summer breaks for students, if you want to have a great time out, proper planning is a must！ If you don’t want to spend too much time on transportation, choose a convenient “all-in-one” travel route！ Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli in northern Taiwan—whether you’re heading from north to south or south to north—just follow this cheat sheet, and you won’t miss a single popular attraction！
It won’t be long now — one of the world’s most beautiful cafés will make its debut in late February.
Caffe Florian, one of the world’s most beautiful cafés, boasts a history of nearly 300 years, and many have been eagerly anticipating its opening. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi has revealed that Caffe Florian will launch in late February at the second floor of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s A9 Pavilion in Xinyi New Life Square.
A 24-hour Taipei noodle shop that never closes！The signature handmade wonton dry noodles come with small shrimp
I’ve previously seen this place featured on Kangsi Coming and Food Hunter, and its 24-hour operation is the biggest highlight of “Little Northern Dumpling House.” No matter how late you get off work, you can always come here to eat. The prices are quite affordable for Taipei’s East District—just around NT$100 for some side dishes and you’ll be full.
Zhou Xiaohan loves this flavor the most — a 12oz juicy cheese steak that oozes goodness, so wickedly delicious
Izumi Curry, a super-popular restaurant from Osaka, Japan, known for its Kansai-style flavors, has launched a new series of dishes called “My Festive Curry Flavor.” On the 24th, it made its debut at the Nangang branch, where drama sweetheart Zhou Xiaohan also made an appearance. She revealed her favorite dish: the “Angel Omurice Pork Cutlet Curry Udon.”
2016’s Most Braggable Restaurants Ranking Released — Dessert Shops Dominate Central Region
iPeen, the popular review platform, has published its 2016 annual restaurant rankings. Which restaurants are the top five most photographed and bragged about by netizens in northern, central, and southern Taiwan? The survey revealed significant differences in dining bragging habits across the regions: northerners value high cost-performance, central Taiwanese love showing off desserts, while those in the south have strong spending power and a penchant for international cuisine.
The scenery never gets old—Nantou’s “Bald Cypress Forest” with stags roaming feels like the Nordic countryside
The beauty of the bald cypress forest is forever captivating. This “Bald Cypress Forest” along Nantou’s County Highway 139 has evolved from a hidden gem to a popular photo hotspot. Though compact in size, when the entire cypress grove turns crimson, the view is breathtaking, drawing hordes of visitors to snap photos.
It’s great to have “Jia”! Free electric buses will take you to the Glass Shoe Church before the Lantern Festival
Take note: Electric buses in Chiayi are free until the Lantern Festival. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the Chiayi County Government has launched two express electric bus routes just before the holiday break — the “Chiayi HSR Station – Glass Heel Church” and the “Chiayi HSR Station – Tainan Yanshui” — featuring low-floor electric buses. The service will be free of charge until February 11 (Lantern Festival), aiming to let everyone experience how wonderful it is to have “Jia” (Chiayi).
Stop playing mahjong already！Lazy guide to 2016’s hottest East Rift Valley attractions — you’re behind the times if you haven’t seen the bald cypress forests
The East Rift Valley has always been a popular destination during the Lunar New Year holidays. After going through so much trouble to snag train tickets, why stick to the over-trodden paths everyone’s already sick of? ETtoday EBC News Cloud has rounded up 2016’s hidden gems in eastern Taiwan that will get you photos your friends will envy, turning your holiday memories into lifelong treasures.
New Landmark in Taiping Mountain, Yilan: The Duowang Suspension Bridge Adorned with National Treasure Butterflies
As the Lunar New Year approaches, Taiping Mountain has gained a new landmark. The Taiping Mountain National Forest Recreation Area, renowned for its mid-to-high altitude forest ecotourism, has transformed the original iron bridge over the Duowang Stream—rebuilt after renovation and restoration—into the “Duowang Suspension Bridge.” It is now embellished with Taiwan