Travel
Tender yet not greasy — 3 popular Changhua-style rice balls in Taipei
Recently, a popular Changhua rice ball shop, “Beikoumen Rice Balls,” stirred up quite a controversy after raising its prices by 25%, with large rice balls costing NT$100 each. This made “rice balls” a hot search keyword. Changhua rice balls are made with a wrapper of glutinous rice flour mixed with tapioca starch, stuffed with meat filling, steamed, and then deep-fried. Their signature feature is the soft and chewy exterior. But delicious Changhua rice balls aren’t only found in Changhua — there are three wildly popular ones right here in Taipei, and if you want to try them, be prepared to queue up.
Taijiang National Park “Oyster Farming Experience” & Local Snack Tasting
As the month of gratitude in May arrives, Taijiang National Park—a popular IG photo spot—will host the “Strolling Through Qigu – A Leisurely Journey to the Homeland of Oysters” event on May 20. In addition to introducing visitors to the unique resources of Taijiang National Park and O Lake, this event features a series of experiences including hand-painting, tasting local specialty snacks, and learning about the oyster industry, allowing participants to gain insight into ancestral wisdom and promote sustainable fisheries and ecological conservation.
Sick of eating zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival? Yanshicheng introduces three flavors of "zong bread"
Sick of eating zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival? This year, Chef Zhu Baiyan of Yanshicheng replaces glutinous rice with bread dough, wraps it in bamboo leaves, and freshly bakes it into zong bread, now available in limited quantities. The bread uses natural turmeric powder and purple sweet potato powder, and the fillings are carefully selected from local Taiwanese ingredients, crafted with exquisite handiwork to create one-of-a-kind zong bread. Each set of zong bread is priced at NT$149, including one each of Daikon Zong, Curry Zong, and Taro Zong, plus a complimentary matcha red bean ice zong. Limited daily supply.
Pouring a whole bottle of Gaoda fresh milk into Taichung’s “Devil Bubble Fresh Milk Tea,” a local favorite highly recommended by residents
The competition in Taiwan’s bubble tea market is fierce, and now even convenience stores have joined the “pearl milk tea” battlefield. With pearls galore and creamy tea, this flavor is simply irresistible—people crave a cup anytime to calm their nerves. When it comes to brown sugar bubbles, northerners will immediately mention the famous Frog Leaps Over Milk “Chen Sanding.” But in Qingshui, Taichung, this “Devil Bubble Fresh Milk” is a devilishly delicious treat even locals can’t resist.
Take Mom here for a visit this time around — 4 “nostalgic scenic spots” in Taiwan with free entry on Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and you still haven’t decided where to take Mom? ETtoday EBC News Cloud has rounded up four quaint and distinctive attractions across Taiwan, with two of them offering “free admission” for moms on May 13 and 14. Seize the opportunity to take Mom on a time-traveling journey now!
Missed the wisteria blooms? Don’t miss the romantic “Lupine Season” at Fushoushan Farm in May
Located in Taichung, Fushoushan Farm is a great place to enjoy flowers all year round. In April this year, the wisterias bloomed spectacularly, with romantic purple-pink cascades hanging from the trellises like waterfalls, attracting many visitors. Although the wisteria season has ended, the farm will be filled with the fragrance of apple blossoms in May, ushering in a vibrant lupine season.
It’s hot—come to Kaohsiung for some ice cream treats!
In this simple, wooden Japanese-style space with a refreshing vibe, the ice makers and customers move about freely, offering an instant cooling sense of relaxation every time. The owner leans on the window-side bar counter, chatting with a young doctor from down the alley who’s enjoying some ice: “Look at all these old neighbors and friends who love coming here for ice—I’d never dare serve you anything but the best ingredients!” I’m really curious what new creative concoctions this southern lad, who’s always full of ideas and quick to act, has come up with recently!
Once Glorious, Now Gone: 5 Night Markets That Have Shut Down
Night markets are a highlight promoted by Taiwan’s tourism board and a must-visit attraction for many international tourists. The various night markets across Taiwan are also an integral part of local life. In recent years, many new night markets have sprung up in Taiwan—some even claiming to be the largest in the region—but ultimately ended up closing down. Let’s take a look at five once-popular night markets that have since shut their doors.
Project delays: The opening of Sukiya's Gongguan branch in Taiwan postponed
Sukiya, a specialty brand under YUYOU Travel (牛N), has been actively expanding in Taiwan. Its 16th branch, the Gongguan store, was originally scheduled to open on May 15. However, due to slight delays in the construction progress, the opening date will be postponed by several days. The official team apologizes for the promotional flyers that had previously listed May 15 as the opening date. The new opening date will be announced once confirmed.
A Summer Cool-Off Paradise！4 Must-Visit Waterfalls in Yilan—Beat the Heat and Snap Forest-Chic Photos
As summer arrives and temperatures rise, if you want to go outdoors but escape the sweltering heat, head into the mountains and forests instead！Yilan boasts numerous mountain trails, many of which feature stunning waterfalls. This article rounds up 4 great waterfall spots in Yilan where you can enjoy a refreshingly cool adventure and snap forest-themed photos in the woods—killing two birds with one stone！
HOTEL COZZI Harmony Taipei – Tainan Branch and Kaohsiung Branch Limited-Time Big Sale: Buy One Night, Get One Free
Great deals are back again. HOTEL COZZI Harmony – Tainan Ximen Branch and Kaohsiung Zhongshan Branch have launched a “Buy One, Get One Free” special accommodation package. From now until May 25, 2017, guests who book two consecutive nights at either Tainan Ximen Branch or Kaohsiung Zhongshan Branch can enjoy the second night free, regardless of weekdays or weekends.
A Romantic Photo Spot That’s Also a Museum: The British Tudor-Style “Taipei Story House”
With the appearance of a mansion from a movie, the “Taipei Story House” looks like an upscale foreign villa from afar. Its ultra-romantic design has made it a well-known attraction in Taipei. Not only is it highly photogenic, but its interior also functions as a small museum, using rotating special exhibitions to share many artistic stories and local cultural narratives.
Twin Dragons Waterfall shrouded in mist like a fairyland; 30-story-high “sky bridge” to be completed next year
Located in Xinyi Township, Nantou County, the Twin Dragons Waterfall has a drop of about 100 meters and sits at an elevation of 800 meters. It consists of an upper and a lower fall, resembling two coiling dragons — hence its name. The steep cliffs and dramatic drop create a misty spectacle, with water vapor filling the air like a dreamy veil. In the wake of Typhoon Morakot, which destroyed the former plank walkways and bridges, the Nantou County Government has re-planned the area and will construct a 345-meter sky bridge connecting the two falls, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in this otherworldly beauty.
What does the strong coastal wind blow? It can't blow away the not-so-chewy Hsinchu rice noodles and the people who make them.
The strong coastal wind of Hsinchu brings out bright red dried persimmons and golden mullet roe, and of course, rice noodles — whether stir-fried or boiled, they’re also one of the delicious dishes. In the past, Hsinchu’s rice noodle workshops gathered hundreds of families making noodles, but with the decline of traditional industries, there are now only a handful left. In Xiangshan, Hsinchu, one family-run shop that has been passed down through four generations still preserves the traditional sun-drying process of making rice noodles. It is also the only heritage brand in Hsinchu inherited by a woman. Amidst modern innovation, it upholds the perseverance of the previous generation, using rice noodles to preserve the memory of Hsinchu’s wind and flavors.
Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess Makes Its Keelung Debut – Save Up to NT$10,000 on Family Summer Cruises
The itinerary of Princess Cruises' "Sapphire Princess" officially launched today at Keelung Port, marking the beginning of 42 Taiwan homeport cruises in 2017. To welcome the peak summer travel season, in addition to early-bird discounts for July and August, Princess Cruises has also introduced special family travel offers, with savings of up to NT$10,000 per cabin—making it easier for parents to enjoy a wonderful summer vacation with their children.
A hip, youthful light meal and late-night eatery in Tainan！ Savor the recently trending “Granny’s Water” here.
Let me report on another new spot, Fat Bi again！ There have been quite a few new openings lately—I can hardly keep up, and there was even a soft opening on May 1st. I dashed to write about it, but today’s post is from my phone！ I didn’t bring a camera since it was a spontaneous meet-up, so I just used my phone to snap some casual shots. Come check out what they’re serving！ See that recently popular Granny’s Water？ Yep！ They’ve got it here～
Summer Music Festival: Opera in Romantic Italy, Classical Music in Vienna
In Europe’s summer, the air is filled with lively musical notes waiting for you to enjoy. From classical music in Vienna, Austria, majestic military music in the UK and Russia, to traditional Italian opera, each showcases local history, traditions, and culture — the perfect soundtrack to your journey. Let’s Go on a summer music adventure and create unforgettable melodies to cherish forever.
The Journey of Artisans to the West: Travel Through Time Along the Silk Road, Where Millennium Legends Come Alive
The Silk Road is not only a legendary chapter in Chinese history but also an adventure-filled journey that fulfills travelers' dreams. Step onto this historic route and witness a series of fantastical sights: Jiayuguan at the western end of the Great Wall, the flying Apsaras in Mogao Caves playing the pipa upside down, Crescent Lake nestled within the Singing Sand Dunes, the Flaming Mountains from "Journey to the West," the mythic Heavenly Lake of the Queen Mother of the West, and the eternal resting place of Emperor Qin Shi Huang... Embark on this extraordinary journey through time and space to uncover its mysteries.
Travel is more than just consumption and selfies — it brings travelers 4 major positive changes and greater maturity
Many people think of travel as merely “spending money,” a narrow view that greatly diminishes the beauty of the experience. In reality, travel is not just about taking a break from the daily routine — it’s also an opportunity to see the world’s diverse cultures through a new lens. Numerous studies show that travel offers many intangible benefits, such as improved communication skills, enhanced intelligence, and even creativity.
Become a flower fairy in the Netherlands！ The tulip displays at Keukenhof Park are absolutely spectacular
After visiting Hokkaido to see lavender before, I fell in love with this kind of literary flower-viewing trip～So of course admiring tulips in the Netherlands was one of the highlights of this trip！ This time I even brought a drone specially to shoot some amazing videos for you all at Keukenhof Park.... Except that I couldn’t fly it, and even if I could, I think just finding a place to take off would be a bit difficult XD There were so many people.