Travel
Don’t let traffic ruin your mood—explore New Taipei’s hidden gems with these 6 must-visit routes.
During the Lunar New Year, besides treating yourself to a feast, it’s also the perfect time for family reunions and outings. Have you planned where to go for your spring excursion? Follow the recommended 6 “New Year Chicken” travel routes by the New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau. Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle, immerse yourself in nature, or soak up the festive atmosphere, visiting these 6 traffic-free hidden spots in New Taipei will make your holiday even more enjoyable.
No napping, no throwing out trash – you must know the ultimate list of “15 taboos on the first day of the Lunar New Year”
As the Lunar New Year holiday begins, amid all the festive cheer, there are still many traditional customs and taboos to be mindful of. Among them, the most numerous are the taboos for the first day of the year. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has compiled a list of 15 taboos for the first day of the Lunar New Year. Whether you believe in them or not, they can serve as a reference.
Lunar New Year is all about family reunions!
The festive New Year is here again Up！Every year during the New Year, we always gather with family and friends, sit around the reunion dinner table, exchange auspicious greetings, and officially welcome the new year. 《ETtoday Eastday News Cloud》 has compiled a list of the 6 things most people in Taiwan do during the Lunar New Year. Check out how many you've done today!
These mahjong chocolates are insanely cool—complete with all suits and 45 pieces to munch while you win big.
Almost every family plays mahjong during the Lunar New Year, but have you seen these "mahjong chocolates"? The renowned chocolate brand "Talking Choco 会说话的巧克力" has specially crafted mahjong tiles in the form of white chocolate, featuring all 45 pieces in adorable designs—truly a top-tier Lunar New Year gift.
Kaohsiung’s “rooftop sky bar” is set to open soon — a romantic harbor city night view that’s almost too beautiful to handle
The rooftop sky bar “Pier No.1,” under the Indigo brand in Kaohsiung, is about to open. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the bar features an open-barrier design that offers unobstructed views of the romantic night scenery of Kaohsiung Harbor. Its stylish and laid-back ambiance, perfect for dating and heart-to-heart conversations, will officially launch just before Valentine’s Day, giving travelers in Kaohsiung another great spot for a romantic outing.
Essential mullet roe for the Lunar New Year: A five-star chef teaches you 3 simple ways to cook it
Mullet roe is one of the must-have dishes during Lunar New Year family gatherings, and preparing it is actually not difficult. Chef Dong Qingqin from the Michelin Taiwanese Restaurant at Grand Mayfull Hotel says the easiest ways to cook mullet roe are pan-frying it in a skillet, torching it directly with 58% high-proof sorghum liquor, or using a gas torch—which not every household has.
After praying at the temple, treat your taste buds to a feast too—four temples surrounded by delicious night markets!
The New Year is here, and during the Spring Festival, temples across Taiwan are always bustling with worshippers. On the first day of the lunar year, people rush to offer the first incense, light lamps for blessings, welcome the God of Wealth, and pray for the health, safety, and success of their families throughout the year. But what many don’t know is that around Taipei’s well-known temples, there are also plenty of tasty and fun night markets that remain open during the holiday season, offering fresh and delicious snacks to keep you company as you celebrate the New Year!
Hidden gems, flower seas + breathtaking sea views all in one — Recommended “4 Spring Outing Routes in Taitung”
Want to breathe in Taiwan’s fresh air and enjoy its beautiful mountains and waters? Head to Taitung — you won’t regret it. Make the most of the six-day Lunar New Year holiday by visiting Taitung. It boasts the most stunning sunrise in Taiwan and the only place where you can experience a hot air balloon ride in open skies. This article compiles the “4 Recommended Spring Outing Routes in Taitung.” Seize your holiday and go on a spring adventure in Taitung.
A popular beef noodle shop in Taichung that’s been delighting diners for 20 years — a refreshing, tender, and delicious treat!
I originally wanted to try the legendary “Big Three” beef noodles of Taichung, but it seems their former glory has faded, with only the Hunan-style one still getting good reviews. I found it a bit disappointing, but passing down a legacy is never easy, so I decided to look for other well-rated beef noodle shops instead. By chance, I came across 【Dongjia Beef Noodles】, located by the Green Park Boulevard near the Art Museum — also a very popular beef noodle spot.
Spring Festival Activities to Bring Good Luck – Grand Hyatt Hosts Folk Performances to Celebrate the New Year
With the Lunar New Year approaching, to welcome the Year of the Rooster, Taipei Grand Hyatt will hold a New Year’s event from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the first day of the Lunar New Year (January 28) in the first-floor lobby. In addition to exciting performances such as dragon and lion dances and diabolo spinning, there will also be folk activities celebrating the New Year, including woodblock New Year painting rubbings, handmade grass-weaving crafts, paper-cutting demonstrations, and live calligraphy. Guests and visitors are invited to join in the festivities and joyfully usher in the new year.
New Year Flower Viewing Trips: 5 Hidden Paradises for Blossom Appreciation in Northern Taiwan
During the Spring Festival, flower viewing trips should naturally take you to places brimming with the essence of spring to match the festive vibe. Although there are no large-scale flower seas in Northern Taiwan at the moment, there are plenty of flower fields and groves perfect for slowing down and enjoying. ETtoday Travel Cloud has rounded up five uniquely charming blossom spots—go breathe in the romantic air during the flowering season.
Enjoy the sunshine！ 2017 Must-Do Highlights in Queensland – Pristine White Sand Lakes Like a Fairyland
In the cold winter, head to the Southern Hemisphere to find warm sunshine！ Brisbane, Australia, boasts rich natural beauty, arts, culture, and festivals, offering fun activities from day to night. This article compiles the must-do highlights in Brisbane for 2017. Follow these suggestions, enjoy the sunshine while taking in the unique beauty of Australia.
Hidden New Attraction in Hualien: The "Eastern Taiwan Black Bear Education Center" Filled with Adorable Teddy Bears
Near the stinky tofu shop at Yuli Bridgehead in Hualien, there’s a newly hidden gem called the “Eastern Taiwan Black Bear Education Center,” packed with all kinds of teddy bears. It just opened on January 1, 2017, aiming to localize efforts and raise public awareness about black bear conservation.
Pingtung’s Shan Chuan Glass Bridge Stays Open During Lunar New Year & Adds Extra Shuttle Buses
The Shan Chuan Glass Bridge remains open for New Year outings—no closure from Lunar New Year’s Day to the 5th. Pingtung’s most beautiful smiling skyline is now accessible. Free scheduled on-site interpretation services are available at the bridge’s entrances, helping visitors learn about the local cultural and landscape charm. These services also connect with tribal guides to offer deeper insights into the indigenous villages of northern Pingtung, allowing you to experience the craftsmanship and agrifood culture of the Paiwan and Rukai peoples.
Limited Time Offer: Kyushu Waffles Launch New Chocolate Tiramisu Waffles Starting Feb. 1
When Japan’s “Kyushu Waffle Café” second branch opened, it launched the “Kyushu Matcha Tiramisu Waffle,” which received an overwhelmingly positive response, with sales now exceeding 20,000 units. Starting February 1, Kyushu Waffles will unveil another limited-time offering: the “Kyushu Rich Chocolate Tiramisu Waffle.” The seven-grain plain waffle is topped with a specially made tiramisu sauce and sprinkled with premium French cocoa powder. A bite of the sweet and tangy strawberry filling instantly brings out the girlish charm. The suggested retail price is 300 yen.
One card to rule them all—5 super cool certifications every travel enthusiast should try!
Most licenses and certifications are mainly for job hunting or exams, which can be a bit dull and uninteresting. But if you’re someone who loves going out and enjoys outdoor activities, maybe it’s time to get a different kind of certification. From underwater adventures and mountain climbing to flying in the sky, there are actually certifications for these activities that are almost universally recognized around the world—so traveling the globe will be no problem at all!
6 Essential Customs to Know for Visiting the Wife’s Family on the Second Day of Lunar New Year — Don’t Forget to Buy 2 Chickens for Newlyweds
The second day of the Lunar New Year is traditionally known as "visiting the wife’s family." On this day, married daughters return to their parents’ home with their spouses, making it an important occasion during the festival. While modern practices no longer restrict daughters to visiting only on the second day, this article shares traditional etiquette and taboos for such visits, for readers’ reference.
Expert-led tour to the "Hometown of Koshihikari Rice" & the popular "Fox Wedding" Festival!
When it comes to Niigata, the first thing that probably comes to mind is "Koshihikari rice"！Niigata is part of Japan’s Chubu region, known for its premium powder snow and agricultural produce. In fact, apart from its excellent rice and the high-quality water that nurtures it, Niigata also produces great sake brewed from that very rice and water！Many friends want to understand sake starting from the "ingredients", so this May, I planned a rice planting tour, and when the rice ears matured, of course, we also arranged a harvesting tour@V！
A hundred games to bring you closer together: 6 board game cafes open in Taipei over the Lunar New Year
Playing mahjong has become one of the must-do activities during the Lunar New Year, and it actually falls under the category of board games (Board game). Players weave an entire themed story using “strategy” and “luck,” enjoying the process of outwitting friends and also getting closer to one another. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has selected 6 board game cafes that will be open during the Lunar New Year. Don’t stay cooped up at home this holiday—gather your friends and go play some board games together instead.
Aside from Ippudo, there are even more delicious options — try these five top-rated local ramen shops in Tokyo
Ramen is a must-try local dish for many travelers visiting Japan. However, don’t limit yourself to chain ramen brands like Ippudo or Ichiran. If you’re a true ramen lover, you shouldn’t miss the top five ramen shops ranked by the Japanese food website “Tabelog.” Coming in at No. 1 is Menya Itto, famous for its rich tsukemen with fish broth. Among these five top ramen shops, only Menya Itto has a branch in Taiwan.