Travel
More photo ops coming your way！Tokyo’s Odaiba to unveil life-size “Unicorn Gundam” this fall
The life-sized Gundam “RG1/1 RX78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT,” one of Tokyo Odaiba’s iconic landmarks, officially bid farewell on the 5th, but travelers need not worry. According to Japanese media reports, a 1:1 life-sized Unicorn Gundam themed around "Mobile Suit Gundam UC" will make its appearance at the same location, DiverCity Tokyo, this fall.
Eat, drink, and enjoy life at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s “World’s Longest Lunch”
Melbourne, a globally renowned food capital, hosts the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival since its inception in 1993—a major event in the culinary world. From exquisite dishes crafted by international culinary masters to humble yet delicious local Melbourne home-cooked meals, there’s something for every palate. The ten-day festival kicks off in late March, immersing you in a feast of wine and gastronomy.
When you have no special plans, come here — the Tamsui Alleyway Café.
It’s precisely because there were no plans that I ended up with such a leisurely and special afternoon. I’ve been studying at Tamkang University for nearly four years, yet this café, just a 20-minute walk from campus, had always stayed in my pocket, never visited. With classes to attend, trips back to Taipei, and events to manage, countless opportunities to meet it slipped away due to one plan or another. But on this day, some friends came to Tamsui, and I figured I didn’t have anything too urgent in the afternoon.
A 70-million-Taiwan-dollar "five-star department-store-grade" Dali Night Market in Taichung fails to attract visitors and shuts down
Visiting night markets is a must when traveling in Taiwan. Popular night markets across the island attract huge crowds during holidays, and the Greater Taichung area is a particularly competitive battleground—with Fengjia, Hanxi, and Economic and Trade night markets among the top spots. Last year, an operator invested 70 million Taiwan dollars to build the Dali Night Market, billing it as a "five-star department-store-grade" night market with a rainproof roof, five-star-quality restrooms, and even a well-planned parking lot. Yet, in less than two years, it has faced closure.
Fans were surprised to learn that the Zhudong branch of Charlie Brown Café has closed down.
Once expanding ambitiously northward with its second branch located in Hsinchu, Charlie Brown Café ceased operations in Hsinchu after just a year and a half on March 5. The official announcement was very low-key, with no special notice posted on the official Facebook page or website—only the listing of the Hsinchu branch was removed from the store locations page. This has left many fans feeling disappointed.
Hop on the time machine of memories! Kaohsiung’s dreamy attraction “Chair Score”
If you could choose one object to stack your memories into a fortress, what would it be? Last year, the Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung created a new installation art piece called “Chair Score,” stacking 1,137 wooden school desks and chairs into a circular fortress. Each chair is engraved with the name of an elementary school, layer upon layer, as if composing a musical score filled with childhood memories, taking you back to your elementary school days in an instant.
Popular Tokyo dessert shop Kuronekobune opens in Taiwan; Nagasaki cake available in limited daily quantities, so grab yours fast
The popular Tokyo dessert shop “Kuronekobune” from Jiyūgaoka has officially launched in Taiwan on March 7. Its signature best-selling product, the Nagasaki cake, is a favorite souvenir among travelers. Although priced at NT$600 per cake, many snapped up more than 10 at a time as they didn’t have to travel abroad to enjoy it. All 200 Nagasaki cakes prepared for the opening day sold out immediately. Since Kuronekobune’s Nagasaki cakes are flown in from Japan daily in limited quantities, those who want to try them should head there early.
No need to go to the Arctic！Kenting’s “Ice Cave Hotel” feels like a snow-white igloo in sub-zero temperatures
The seemingly ordinary “Gold Design” delivers an incredible visual impact the moment you step into the lobby. Its imaginative interior design resembles a pristine polar ice cave, with irregular textures and patterns that look like the work of nature’s magic, paired with an unobstructed view facing South Bay, allowing you to gaze at the entire healing ocean.
Cheer for the Chinese National Team at the Classic – Grand Mayfull Launches “Victory Smash” Burger Meal
The highly anticipated 2017 WBC World Baseball Classic has officially begun. Although the Chinese National Team lost their opening match against Israel on March 7, Grand Mayfull Hotel Taipei, in partnership with official WBC sponsor HUBLOT, has been live-streaming the games since March 7 on three screens inside the Cocoon Poolside Bar and on the outdoor 290T large screen. Alongside the live broadcasts, the hotel is also offering a limited-time “Victory Smash” burger meal set at NT$780 + 10%.
Essential Guide for Independent Travelers: Mastering Swiss Public Transport with These 4 Tips
Renting a car in Switzerland is pricey—even though fuel prices are famously low across Europe, it’s still not cost-effective. Moreover, driving in an unfamiliar country means navigating roads, reviewing traffic rules, and getting used to local driving habits. No matter what, it’s unlikely to be as comfortable and relaxing as sitting in a car driven by someone else. That’s why we recommend using Switzerland’s public transport system.
Kaohsiung’s Nighttime “Cat Food Truck” Specializes in Homemade Dashi Oden
The night-only Maneki Neko Yudetamago is an adorable cat-themed food truck offering delicious Japanese-style oden. Carefully selected fresh ingredients are paired with a homemade bonito broth to deliver a rich and savory flavor. The owners, a husband-and-wife duo, originally worked in Taoyuan but returned to Kaohsiung driven by their passion for cooking. They continuously experiment with broths and sauces to offer exclusive and creative ways to enjoy oden.
A playful date with "photo ops" galore – the new Children’s Amusement Park, a colorful dreamland rivaling Disneyland
Although the New Children’s Amusement Park is designed as a theme park for kids, who says adults can’t enjoy it too? The relocated and revamped park not only offers more thrilling rides but also boasts vibrant colors and whimsical play structures that make it an amazing spot for photoshoots. With the right angle, every shot captures the magical, fairytale-like atmosphere of a Disney park. This weekend, why not plan a fun date here with your friends or partner?
Newly Opened in Taipei！A Café Surrounded by Vintage Furniture in a Decadent Vibe
There’s a small alley in Taipei that I really love—just about a hundred meters long. Step out of the alley and you’re greeted by the bustling Xinyi Road, but once you enter Wenchang Street, there’s a tranquility that doesn’t quite feel like the noisy city center, almost making you forget you’re still in downtown Taipei. The lane is dotted with a couple of cafés, a single izakaya, and several antique shops—it’s actually a well-known street in Taipei for custom vintage furniture.
Croissant smoothies, strawberry milk tapioca pearls — netizens rave about this guilt-free, innovative drinks map
Taiwanese love bubble tea, giving rise to a unique landscape of beverage shops all over the country. But these days, people aren’t just after big cups or cheap prices — they want drinks that catch the eye from the outside too. Recently, Instagram has seen a trend of “show-off drinks” where every cup looks incredibly enticing, made with healthy, natural ingredients so you can sip away without the guilt.
85°C also launches matcha latte; available nationwide on 3/8, buy two for special price of NT$85 before 3/19
Remember the matcha latte that sparked a check-in craze on IG last year? Now you can enjoy it at 85°C too. Over 400 branches nationwide will officially launch the matcha latte on March 8. The medium-sized matcha latte has a volume of 480cc and an original price of NT$55. From March 8 to March 19, purchase two and enjoy a special price of NT$85.
NASA's supersonic "near-silent" passenger jet expected to debut in 2020
Residents living near airports or commuting along aircraft takeoff and landing routes often suffer from aircraft noise. This nuisance may soon be alleviated, as the United States has begun testing technologies for silent aircraft, which could significantly reduce noise during takeoffs and landings in the future.
A hidden gem admired even by Oscar-winning directors: Could there be a March car in Hualien’s Shimen Cave?
Compared to popular attractions like Qixingtan and Shitiping, the Shimen Recreation Area in Fengbin Township is more mysterious. Within it lies a stone cave shaped like a “March car,” a natural coincidence that inspires awe. It was even chosen by Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese as a filming location for *Silence*, who praised it as “very magical, with an eternal quality.” The allure of Shimen Cave is truly remarkable.
Urban legend in the bread world: Can’t get it without queuing – the ultra-dreamy sea salt butter roll
When you hear you have to queue for 30 minutes to an hour just for a piece of bread, you might think, “It’s just a bread – is it really worth that much time?” But if you ask those who can’t resist biting into a sea salt butter roll the moment they step out of the store, eight out of ten will tell you, “Absolutely worth it!” Through word of mouth, this legendary sea salt butter roll – which you can’t get without queuing and is sold out after 5 p.m. – has taken over Taipei’s bread scene and become a true urban legend delicacy.
The 3rd Good France event to be held on March 21; Number of selected Taiwanese restaurants increases to 12
The global culinary event “Good France,” organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with embassies worldwide, Atout France, and other partners, is entering its third edition this year. It will take place on March 21, with the number of participating French-style restaurants in Taiwan increasing to 12. Among them, Paris 1930, French Bistro, and S.T.A.Y. have been selected for three consecutive years.
Meat lovers in Tainan, take note: Nikuya Jinanbo 3rd Store is coming
Following the opening of its stores at Kaohsiung Hanshin Dome and Taipei 101, Nikuya Jinanbo is launching its 3rd location, this time settling in B2 of New Tainan Mitsukoshi at Tainan’s “City of Gastronomy,” with an expected opening on March 21. Local foodies who love piles of grilled meat atop steamed rice can come and give it a try.