Travel
Hong Kong's "Disney Explorers Lodge" to Open in 30 Days – Check Out 5 Highlights
The third "Explorers Lodge" at Hong Kong Disneyland will officially open on April 30. Themed around the golden age of exploration in the 1920s, it is designed based on four major regions: Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania, showcasing thousands of precious collections from around the world. Not sure how to enjoy it? ETtoday ETToday News Cloud takes you on an exclusive preview of the latest hotel interiors and highlights 5 must-see features.
Must-save list！A college student compiles a guide to all free campsites and youth hostels in Taiwan
Who says traveling has to be expensive? Fu Yang, a student from Fu Jen Catholic University, started solo island-hopping trips since his freshman year and compiled a guide to Taiwan’s free campsites & youth hostels around the island—perfect for backpackers wanting to experience an island tour. Struggling to travel often due to budget constraints? Why not give this budget-friendly island-hopping a try！
Italian-style gastropubs tucked in Taipei’s alleys serve authentic Sicilian wraps
Though I’ve never been to Italy, I’ve had plenty of pasta!! Italian restaurants in Taiwan are no strangers to me at all. The usual way to order is pretty much about the sauce: red sauce, white sauce, sautéed, pesto, black sauce~
Embark on a romantic summer firefly adventure!
The best time to see fireflies is every April, and in New Taipei City, besides the currently popular spots such as Wenshan Farm in Xindian District, Hemingshan Trail, Shifen Old Street in Pingxi District, and Xia'an'keng in Sanxia, the Agriculture Bureau has specially collaborated with district offices to launch a total of 55 firefly-watching locations. Everyone is invited to join a romantic summer firefly journey in New Taipei City.
Fans of Goblin, assemble！ Follow Gong Yoo’s footsteps in Incheon and stay in a premium hanok
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God — in the 2016 TV drama Goblin, it ranked first in TV topic popularity with 675,587 points, followed by Descendants of the Sun with 649,953 points. Its immense popularity truly earned it special recognition and sparked a wave of fan trips to filming locations. In response, the Korean government went all out by clearly marking every Goblin shooting spot at the actual sites — how amazing is that！
Romantic Penghu Island Getaway: Fireworks, Five-Star Hotels & Seafood BBQ Under the Stars
Known as the "beautiful pearls scattered across the Taiwan Strait," Penghu has been recognized by internationally renowned travel magazine Lonely Planet as one of the "Best Secret Islands" and was globally voted one of the "Most Beautiful Bays in the World." As Taiwan’s most representative international island destination and a top domestic choice for island vacations, to celebrate the annual fireworks extravaganza and the upcoming summer holiday peak season, operators have launched a seafood BBQ music night, allowing visitors to enjoy the fireworks while indulging in delicious food.
International-grade hotel in Kaohsiung offers semi-buffet meals for under NT$1,000 — featuring a 1kg T-bone steak as the main course
Hotel Indigo is Kaohsiung’s first international-grade hotel. The city’s popular rooftop bar, Pier No.1, is located on the top floor of the hotel, where a spacious open-air terrace offers stunning views of the vibrant nightlife of the port city from the 14th floor. But besides the bar, the Wok on the Park all-day dining restaurant on the second floor not only features a unique self-service buffet with local street food items but also allows you to choose one main course from the menu — all for less than NT$1,000. Starting in May, locals in Kaohsiung (with valid ID) can enjoy a 20% discount on lunch and dinner, while those aged 65 and above can get a 25% discount.
A café next to the City Art Museum where you can also enjoy a picnic on the lawn
Enjoy a quiet picnic on the lawn but don’t want to prepare the food yourself? Located next to the MOCA Taipei, Tropical Deli Cafe brings art into its indoor space and decor. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the green space of Taipei University of Education, the management team welcomes everyone to step outside and enjoy a picnic next to the city’s art museum. They’ve even prepared 10 picnic mats available for free rental.
Just 3 minutes from the train station: Stay one night at Yilan’s indie-style “Xingkou Cultural Travel” for as low as NT$660
In recent years, the trend of revitalizing old buildings has taken off. Xingkou Cultural Travel, which opened in mid-January this year in Yilan, has repurposed a century-old hotel into a multifunctional space that combines cultural creativity, lodging, a bookstore, and a café — creating a cozy venue that showcases the local charm of Yilan. Staying here is easy too, with rooms starting as low as NT$660 per night. Plus, it’s just a 3-minute walk from Yilan Railway Station, making it a new popular accommodation choice in Yilan.
So hilarious and heartwarming—Ding Gua Gua has launched a Mother’s Day limited-edition “Fried Chicken Flower”!
Wondering what gift to give Mom on Mother’s Day? Fresh flowers? Or treat her like your lover with a金沙 chocolate flower? Fried chicken chain Ding Gua Gua is offering a special holiday item this year—transforming their classic fried chicken leg into a beautiful and unique fried chicken bouquet, delivering warmth and love to give Mom a truly special surprise.
Men and women have very different hotel preferences — convenience in transportation is the common ground
When couples or spouses travel abroad, they may have different opinions about the same hotel. Rakuten Travel found that when choosing hotels, both Japanese men and women value convenient transportation. However, for women, the most important factors are clean bathroom facilities and the hotel’s interior design, while men generally feel that having an onsen (hot spring bath) is sufficient, as the activities outside the hotel are the main focus.
They just wanted to be the first to try it—Dumpling King sold over 1,000 servings on its opening day
The Japanese Chinese cuisine chain "Dumpling King" opened its first Taiwan store in Kaohsiung on April 20. On the opening day, a large crowd lined up to be the first to taste the food, with over "1,000 servings" of Dumpling King’s pan-fried dumplings sold on the first day alone. It’s believed that many will still rush to try it in the short term, but if you don’t want to wait in line, you might want to come back after the initial rush dies down.
Spring also brings mountain-wide crimson leaves！Taipei Aowanda’s maple leaf season has officially begun
Located in the Shilin mountain area of Taipei, Taipei Aowanda is not only a great spot for autumn foliage but also welcomes a wave of springtime red leaves starting every April. Around early April each year, the maple trees at Taipei Aowanda gradually begin to turn red, creating an alternative spring maple viewing season. However, due to climate changes this year with colder weather lasting longer, the small maple leaves in the park have only recently started to turn red, marking the official start of the viewing season. Currently, about 60-70% of the leaves in the park have turned red, and the rare and stunning scenery of mountainsides blending green, yellow, orange, and red is truly breathtaking.
New Taipei City’s “Free” 5 Scenic Spots Are Super Photogenic – Enjoy the Gentle Healing of Nature!
New Taipei City covers a vast area and boasts many beautiful landscapes of mountains and waters. After traveling all over the world, it’s still the natural scenery that wins people’s hearts, effortlessly healing all wounded souls. Why spend money on fun? ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially selected free natural scenic spots in New Taipei City. Each place is incredibly photogenic with breathtaking views. Why not take a walk in the mountains and waters on a holiday to recharge with some positive energy from nature!
Revealed: Details No One Tells You When Signing Up for a European Tour Group (Part 2)
Q Why you must choose a small-group tour! A: “Group size” may seem like a minor detail, but it absolutely affects the quality of your experience. Whether it’s gathering, dining, or using the restroom, the time wasted in a group of 20 versus one of 30+ is significantly different. Not to mention, the tour guide’s attention is divided, so the level of service each person receives will vary. Some tours start at 16 people, others at 40. Prices will differ, but this is also a very important factor.
Revealed: The Details No One Tells You When Signing Up for a European Tour Group (Part 1)
Q: My leave is hard to get. What if I sign up but the tour doesn’t fill up? A: Everyone hopes their registered tour will depart as planned and doesn’t want to face a last-minute cancellation. Also, taking leave from work is limited. A competent travel agency should inform you of your registration status about a month in advance. Each tour varies — sometimes it’s confirmed, sometimes not, or there may be similar dates that are available, or even the same date with a different itinerary. In any case, you should have a backup plan before requesting leave. Have a thorough discussion with your travel agent a month in advance, keep track of the number of participants, and weigh the pros and cons of alternatives. Moreover, one thing you must confirm before signing up is whether the agency will refund your deposit in full if they fail to form the group, rather than just holding it. At least this way you have the option to join another tour. Ask carefully to avoid being at a disadvantage.
Who says kids aren’t suited for Europe? Your perspective might just change after reading this!
“When I mentioned taking a child under 10 abroad to my family, everyone was against it.” That may sound reasonable to many, but you still want to take your kid overseas—what can you do?
Trendiest Open-Air Dutch Snack Bar — Enjoy Authentic Dutch Flavors Without a RAW Reservation
RAW, which has just been ranked 24th on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, has invited two of the most talked-about Dutch culinary teams this year — RIJKS Restaurant and Restaurant BREDA — as part of its “Global Gastronomy New Forces!” series. On the traditional Dutch holiday “King’s Day,” RAW’s outdoor area will be transformed into an “Open-Air Dutch Snack Bar,” bringing Dutch cuisine, culture, and customs to Taiwan.
Hundreds of icebergs drift from the Arctic Sea to Canada’s “Iceberg Alley,” making it a viral hotspot
A small town in Newfoundland, Canada, has recently seen an influx of visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the icebergs. This area is famous for its icebergs and floating ice. As temperatures rise in spring each year, the icebergs begin to melt, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Selected Taiwan’s most popular “Hami melon ice” – enjoy half a whole melon in one go, super generous
Summer is approaching, the strawberry season is coming to an end, so what kind of ice should you have next? How about trying the super generous Hami melon ice served in an actual melon bowl? Plump and sweet chunks of fresh Hami melon are paired with snowflake ice, shaved ice, and ice cream, all served on a big plate – it’s truly an indulgent treat. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has specially selected 14 popular ice shops across Taiwan where you can enjoy this melon-bowl Hami ice dessert.