Travel
A Great Place to Unwind: Taipei’s Top 3 Parks Offer More Than Just Swings – Try Mazes & Pirate Ships Too
Looking to take the kids out for a weekend adventure without breaking the bank? Don’t worry—Taipei has plenty of parks to explore. While most people think of parks as just slides and swings, if you want to give your children a unique and exciting experience, bring them to these three one-of-a-kind parks instead.
Dazzling light sculptures illuminate the waterfront—a perfect spot for night views. Top 3 dreamy scenic bridges in New Taipei City
After the Spring Festival holiday comes Valentine’s Day. Have you decided where to spend this romantic night? The New Taipei City Government has selected three stunning scenic bridges in the city, where waterfront beauty and nighttime light displays complement each other, creating the most romantic spots for the evening. Why not take a stroll during the holidays, enjoy the scenery, and participate in unique cultural and artistic activities nearby?
Popular chicken rice from Kaohsiung now in Taichung, plus fish maw ball soup with three textures!
Recently, I found this 【Xiao Lin Chicken Rice】 in Taichung, which is actually a well-known spot to many locals. It’s said to have expanded from its namesake in Kaohsiung. Naturally, it’s packed at lunchtime. What surprised me was how popular chicken rice is in Taichung, a city famous for its big noodle soup, stir-fried noodles with pig’s blood soup, and pork rice.
A British Tudor-style villa on Qingjing Highland, accompanied by 10 super adorable cats!
The blue-and-white "Monet Garden Villa" stands out surrounded by lush greenery. Its architecture features a classic British Tudor style, which is quite rare in Qingjing. If you're a cat lover, that’s yet another reason to fall in love with this place — the owner keeps up to 10 cats, and their adorable lineup waiting to be fed is simply heart-melting!
Kaohsiung gains another Michelin-starred restaurant; set to open in summer 2017
Following the celebrity restaurant at the Howard Plaza Hotel, Kaohsiung will soon welcome another Michelin-level dining establishment. The Crystal Hotels International Resort, scheduled to open in 2017, has invited UKAI Group’s UKAI-TEI teppanyaki restaurant to establish a branch in Taiwan. The UKAI-TEI teppanyaki restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza district earned one Michelin star upon the release of Japan’s first Michelin Guide, and the upcoming branch at Crystal Hotels International Resort will further increase the number of Michelin-level restaurants in Kaohsiung.
Ouch, that’s a hit to the wallet again!* Limited-edition cherry blossom cups launched by Japan Starbucks for sakura season
Collectors, get ready to empty your wallets once more!* With cherry blossom season around the corner, Japan Starbucks has once again rolled out limited-edition “cherry blossom cups” this year. Featuring two series totaling 33 designs, they’ll go on sale starting February 15th!* There are also two cherry blossom season-exclusive drinks, available at all Japan Starbucks locations from February 15th as well.
A mini trip to end your single life: Don’t miss this famous temple of the Matchmaker in Sun Moon Lake, Nantou
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner — still flying solo this year? Why not team up with your single friends for a “mini trip to end your single life”? Besides breathtaking lake views, signature black tea snacks, Sun Moon Lake in Nantou also boasts a highly efficacious temple dedicated to the Matchmaker (Yuè Lǎorén)! When traveling here, be sure to stop by and pay your respects to the Matchmaker — perhaps true love is closer than you think.
Taipei’s craziest hot pot spot: Toilet wallpaper “imported from overseas” features Marvel and Hello Kitty
The well-known shabu-shabu restaurant “Fengming Dian” set up shop in the prime location near Tamkang University three years ago and has remained steadfast ever since. In April 2016, it expanded next to Mingde MRT Station, earning widespread praise. Then in January 2017, it opened another branch on Xinyi Road. In just a few short years, the restaurant has established three locations across Taipei City. Its success is not only due to the high cost-performance meat hot pot but also the interior decor—apart from the lighting fixtures, the most unique feature is undoubtedly the toilets.
The famous Dongquan Chili Sauce from Taichung is now available in Taipei Up！It’s super tasty when dipped in wraps—sweet, spicy, and utterly addictive.
Dongquan Chili Sauce is ubiquitous in Taichung, but outside the area, it’s hard to find. Now, you can get it in Taipei Up！Davian Cake Shop at Tamkang University also uses this very sauce. Their crispy cabbage wraps paired with the sweet and spicy chili drizzle are an absolutely perfect match that has everyone hooked.
Eaten by Fukuyama Masaharu and Miura Haruma alike: A 40-year-old "Chankonabe Ramen" institution in Nagasaki
Located on Japan’s Kyushu Island, Nagasaki is one of the country’s major port cities in the west. The rumble of its streetcars carries travelers through this nostalgic and elegant city. This land, shaped by centuries of history and a blend of diverse cultures, boasts a vintage charm that’s worth exploring in detail.
Tian N<, sushi, French pastries — a lazy guide to 6 of Taichung’s most popular restaurants
When many restaurants open their first branch, Taipei City is often the top priority, leaving foodies in central and southern Taiwan feeling frustrated — they have to travel north just to eat there. But for many chains, after opening their flagship store, the second choice for expansion is Taichung. Brands like Kin no Tanabe, Tim Ho Wan, Sushiro, and DimDimSum are now making their way here, and locals in Taichung are enjoying more delicious options than ever. ETtoday EBC has compiled a lazy guide to 6 of the most popular restaurants in Taichung. If you haven’t checked them out yet, consider visiting after the Lunar New Year when the crowds are thinner.
Assorted Cold Cuts Platter with Beer – Find Healing in a “Bad Boy” at the Alley Entrance
Usually, when you want to have a casual drink with your girlfriends, it’s probably at some bar—jazz or dance music, cocktails or champagne, enjoying a slight buzz under the night sky. But sometimes, a cold beer just seems to suit your mood better, especially with a plate of cold cuts to nibble on while you chat freely or occasionally raise your voice. That’s when you need “The Bad Boy.”
Look up at the romantic pink sky above you – three stunning cherry blossom seas not to be missed in February
As February arrives, it's once again the annual cherry blossom season. Have you planned your cherry blossom viewing trip this year? Cherry blossoms across Taiwan have begun to bloom one after another, with the most beautiful period expected from mid-February to late February. ETtoday EBC has compiled three must-see cherry blossom seas — take a stroll under the romantic pink sky with family, friends, or your loved one.
The whole shop only serves chicken dishes!! A Japanese-style yakitori spot in Taipei where you can even enjoy Japan’s finest sake
If you’re a fan of Japanese sake and love authentic Japanese grilled chicken (yakitori), you absolutely must know about “Tori Tetsu,” located near Shihshan Station. The owner of Tori Tetsu not only trained at a Japanese yakitori restaurant, mastering authentic grilling techniques, but also holds a sake sommelier license. The owner’s wife, in addition to studying in Japan, is also well-versed in sake and is even a sake sommelier instructor.
The kitchen is like a laboratory: Italy’s four-time Michelin-starred chef makes a guest appearance at Mandarin Oriental
Having just hosted a Michelin dinner event in January, Mandarin Oriental then invited Felice Sgarra, one of Italy’s most dazzling rising star chefs, for a guest stint at the end of February. His restaurant "Umami" has been awarded a Michelin star for four consecutive years since 2014. He is known for creatively interpreting the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine with bold innovation. The dining period runs from the evening of February 22 to the lunch service on February 26, 2017, at Bencotto Italian Restaurant on the hotel’s 6th floor, offering “A Joyful Star Chef’s Flavorful Feast.”
Breathtaking Sea of Clouds and Tea Aroma: Tea Farm Tours Are All the Rage — Head to Taipei’s Mountains for a “Tea” Adventure
Taiwanese tea is renowned both domestically and internationally, with distinct fragrances that vary by region and variety. Beyond its delicious taste, the terraced fields and leisure farms where tea is grown have become popular spots for modern-day travelers to slow down and breathe in the fresh scent of tea. In the mountainous areas of New Taipei and Taipei, aside from the well-known tourist attraction Maokong, there are many other worthwhile tea farms to visit. Here, you can not only enjoy freshly brewed tea but also take in the stunning views of high-altitude tea terraces.
The "Cherry Blossom Season" of the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village has kicked off！ Strolling through the cherry blossom forest in a yukata feels just like being in Japan
As the weather gets cooler, pink cherry blossoms have quietly begun to bloom, and visitors eager to admire the flowers are appearing all over Taiwan. The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village has launched a month-long series of Cherry Blossom Season events, where you can even wear a yukata while viewing the blossoms—giving Taiwanese tourists the feeling of being in Japan without leaving the country.
Flight attendants are not servants！ These 10 things are only asked by unreasonable passengers
A single flight can carry at least several hundred passengers, and the responsibility of flight attendants is to help make your journey more comfortable. However, regrettably, many people think that once they’ve paid, flight attendants become their personal servants. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, here are 10 of the most common unreasonable requests made by difficult passengers—please pay attention, travelers.
Definitely no bad choices — Japan’s food website picks the 28 most delicious restaurants
Japan’s food website “Tabelog” (tabelog.com) holds an annual best restaurant selection. In 2016, it was divided into categories for restaurants, ramen, and desserts to select the 50 most delicious eateries across Japan. However, in 2017, the format changed to awarding gold, silver, and bronze prizes to restaurant establishments, with a total of 512 winning restaurants, including 28 gold award winners. These include Michelin three-star restaurants such as Kanda and Quintessence, as well as “Matsukawa,” which is ranked by the Japanese as one of the hardest restaurants to book.
Over 1,500 lanterns hang high at Tainan’s Puzi Temple — don’t miss this limited-time, ultra-romantic “Lantern Street”!
Taiwan’s earliest temple dedicated to a deity king, the 350-year-old “Puzi Temple Weiling King Chi Fu Qian Sui of Fucheng,” has hosted a creative lantern exhibition for five consecutive years. From late January to February 12 this year, the entire street is adorned with countless lanterns, shining brilliantly in a dazzling display that looks stunning both day and night.