Travel
Singles, take note: 6 restaurants in Taipei perfect for dining solo
Do you need to round up friends just to enjoy a nice meal alone? ETtoday EBC has compiled a list of 6 restaurants in Taipei that are ideal for solo diners. Whether it’s hot pot, mutton hot pot, Peking duck, or grilled meat, eating alone is totally chill here — super friendly for singles, letting you eat whenever you want without waiting for friends.
Ticket Rush Up！Island-hopping flight tickets for the Qingming holiday go on sale April 6
Attention travelers planning to take island-hopping flights during the Qingming holiday！In response to the high demand for air travel over the Qingming break, domestic island-controlled routes will begin unified seat reservations starting at 8:00 AM on Monday, April 6. Airlines have also added flights and deployed larger aircraft to meet holiday demand. Key island routes including Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu will offer a total of 1,232 flights and 121,622 seats, with additional services to be added as needed based on demand.
Become a flower fairy queen at the second branch of Huayishi — just as photogenic with melt-in-your-mouth curry
Fans of dried flowers must have heard of Huayishi, but did you know it opened a second location? Also located in Taipei’s “Black Kite” area, the new spot continues the brand philosophy of Huayishi. In addition to its dried flower décor, it offers a range of savory dishes, allowing visitors to enjoy both photo ops and great food. Since it only recently began operations, it’s not as crowded as the first branch, giving you the freedom to snap beautiful photos and transform into a flower fairy in every shot!
No need to fly to Japan—Osaka Castle appears at Taipei Lantern Festival, romantic night cherry blossom viewing
As the Yuanxiao Festival approaches, lantern festivals of all kinds are being held across Taiwan. The 2017 Taipei Lantern Festival, aiming to connect with the world, has specially set up a "Golden Egg Zone" in the Friendly Exchange Lantern Area. Among them, the lanterns exhibited by Osaka, Japan, are making their overseas debut in Taiwan. The massive lanterns showcase Osaka's iconic landmark "Osaka Castle" and the city’s tourism emblem, revealing a unique foreign charm through their design. Visitors can not only enjoy the colorful lantern displays but also experience a different cultural immersion, adding more excitement and international flair to the festival.
Tokyo Odaiba Fun Guide: 3 Family-Friendly Shopping Malls That Are Great for Strolling and Shopping
Daddy Qian from Odaiba recommends 3 top family shopping malls: Venus Fort, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, and AQUA CiTY Odaiba. Bringing your kids here for some shopping will never be boring. There’s plenty to see and buy, fun activities for children, toys to shop for, and great enjoyment for both adults and kids alike.
The Taipei Lantern Festival kicks off in grand style tonight！ Here are the 3 most anticipated highlights
The Taipei Lantern Festival runs from tonight until February 12 for nine days. The Taipei City Government has planned eight major lantern zones, each spectacular, stretching from Zhonghua West Road to Beimen. Highlights include the adorable main lantern “Little Qi Ji,” a dazzling light sculpture show at Beimen, and the grand finale of the festival parade on the 11th — an 8-meter-tall lantern of Goddess Matsu.
Relax on a holiday solo trip to Taipei’s Spanish-style tapas bar with hidden menu items
I had previously noticed this place, OLE Tapas (a grill bar), which was originally a small shop in Shilin. Not long ago, I discovered it had moved near Anhe Road. The space had expanded. On a rainy evening, I stopped by for a late drink. It was quite late, and there weren’t many customers left—probably regulars. After a quick greeting, I sat at the bar to see what snacks would go well with drinks.
Ring out the New Year's Eve bell and eat soba noodles—6 things Japanese people must do to welcome the New Year
As the year draws to a close, the sound of pounding mochi can often be heard in the courtyards of Japanese households. When making mochi, the steamer or mortar is bound with a shimenawa (sacred straw rope), and beneath it is laid dried grass purified with salt. It is important not to prepare mochi in a last-minute rush before the end of the year—since ancient times, it has been customary to finish making it by December 28. Making it on the 29th is called “bitter mochi,” and doing it on the 31st is referred to as “one-night mochi,” both of which are considered bad luck according to tradition.
A little Qingjing on Taoyuan Mountain — gaze at boundless carefree mountain views above, and play with lambs at your feet below
If you’ve been to Nantou’s Qingjing Farm, you’re likely to remember its breathtaking mountain scenery and vast green lawns. But getting to Qingjing Farm isn’t always convenient. If you miss those views, instead of just flipping through photos down memory lane, you can also head to the Green Light Forest Fuyeh Sheep Farm. In addition to its Old England–style European architecture, its lush green lawns and rolling peaks are just as stunning as Qingjing’s. You can also get up close with adorable sheep, making all your worries drift away.
These are the must-try meatball soup and braised pork rice at Shilin — hidden in a traditional wet market!
Braised pork rice can be considered a national dish, but because it's so ubiquitous, shops with unique takes tend to stand out more.光辉肉羹 (Guanghui Meatball Soup), tucked inside the Huaron Market in Shilin, is one such gem. With its high-value-for-money braised pork rice and meatball soup, it has won over the taste buds of many locals. Come dinnertime, it’s often fully booked, and some even say it’s the kind of flavor you start missing if you go without it for a while — making it a top pick for Shilin residents when it comes to braised pork rice!
New York’s hottest single-menu restaurant: The cookie dessert shop that’s super Instagrammable
New York has plenty of amazing sweet shops, but this one might just blow up your Facebook and IG feed soon. Featuring cookies as its core element, it offers a variety of cookies, ice cream, and desserts—with an especially eye-catching and photogenic presentation.
The Pingtung Lantern Festival is a photogenic paradise—blue and white rose seas + LOVE lettering light installations unexpectedly go viral
Pingtung’s first-ever Lantern Festival officially lit up on January 24, drawing many visitors to admire the dazzling displays along the WanNian River. Among the 17 light zones, the “Blue and White Rose Sea + LOVE Lettering” installation near the Pingtung Night Market unexpectedly became a must-visit hotspot, with tourists flocking to witness the romantic charm of this art piece.
First Look at the Beigang Lantern Area of the 2017 Yunlin Lantern Festival – Packed with Mazu Culture and Local Delicacies
Beyond the main lantern displays, Beigang’s local snacks and cultural charm are sure to keep you entertained all day long. The Beigang Lantern Area opens four days earlier than the main Huwei Lantern Area, and on its opening day, February 7th, Beigang Chaotian Temple will also host a Lantern Festival evening party featuring performances by several popular singers. Interested visitors can check the temple’s official Facebook page for more details.
Castle lovers, this one’s for you！ Miaoli’s ultra-photogenic “Herb Energy Garden” offers full ticket consumption credit
Miaoli’s “Hualu Flower Leisure Farm” is located in Zhuolan and spans a vast 3.2-hectare farm. Its highlight, the Herb Energy Garden, is planted with a variety of herb-themed plants. Strolling through the park, you can breathe in the fragrances of nature, making it incredibly relaxing for both body and mind. The most eye-catching feature is the castle hidden at the back of the farm, with a large grassy field in front reflecting the blue sky and white clouds—a paradise for kids to run around. It’s so photogenic, it’s almost unreal.
Taipei’s popular snack shop: traditional-style mixed noodles and juicy fried pork chops
This shop’s mixed noodles are so much better than Lizhu’s. Yes, that’s what my foodie-level elder brother tells me every time he sees me—has said it dozens of times over the years. And after saying that, he always adds, “Next time I’ll take you there.” Well, one year dragged into the next... Finally, after much pestering on my part, he finally agreed to bring me here recently (lol). Then he warned me not to write about it... but how could I not? There’s good food involved (lol). Right!? Right!? Right!?
Step into a homeware-inspired scene at "Sansui," a cozy old-house café in Taichung’s veteran village, where you can while away an afternoon.
Taichung’s historic veteran village, Guangfu New Village, is charmingly retro, with its aged red bricks and low-rise houses telling stories of time. Tucked away in a quiet alley is the Japanese-style minimalist café “Sansui さんすい,” run by a dreamer who loves old houses. He quit his job and moved to Taichung, where he personally created a tea-time space perfect for lounging with cats in the sun.
Travel the world this Valentine’s Day: Vote for “Taiwan’s 10 Must-Visit Motels”
After the Lunar New Year holiday, Valentine’s Day on February 14th is just around the corner. In the past, motels used to be shabby and cramped, often filled with the smell of smoke and mildew. But now, each one is more lavishly decorated than the last, with ever-evolving interior designs that completely overturn the old stereotypes. The travel platform ReadyGo has voted for Taiwan’s 10 must-visit motels. Before Valentine’s Day, secretly book a room to surprise your partner!
Those Canadian "Exotic Delicacies" You’ve Never Tried — Only the Brave Dare to Eat!
Compared to people from the East, most Westerners (especially those from the American continent) have quite a narrow acceptance of food. The so-called three no’s of Westerners: no animal innards, no food that’s too much trouble to eat, and no food they’ve never seen before.
The 2017 Sapporo Snow Festival has kicked off！Illuminated ice sculptures at night create a winter wonderland
The annual Sapporo Snow Festival opened earlier this month (February), attracting over 2 million visitors every year, and this year is no exception, highly anticipated as always！
Don’t limit yourself to the menu at “Cloud Wonderland”! Bring your own tea ingredients and hot food to enjoy the night view of Gangshan.
This scenic restaurant, named “Cloud Wonderland,” is located on the mid-slopes of the high-altitude Gangshan area. Not only can you take in the sweeping night views from above, but the establishment also generously allows guests to bring their own tea leaves and hot takeaway food. Enjoy your favorite dishes while chatting with friends—this flexible, menu-free dining experience has earned high praise from customers.