Fulong Beach celebrated its 60th birthday today (June 22)! To mark this important occasion, the Northeast Coast & Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications launched a “search for people” campaign, inviting a senior couple surnamed Xu who share the same birth date to celebrate their birthday on-site. A sand-sculpted birthday cake was also presented to mark the occasion. In collaboration with Fulong Elementary School, a spectacular 100-meter sand painting land art was created. Additionally, the Fulong International Sand Sculpture Festival announced today that its exhibition period has been extended to July 16—miss it this year and you’ll have to wait another ten years!
Opened in December 2016, Faidem American Seafood Restaurant is Taichung’s first Southern European-style eatery designed with a “shipyard” concept. Its creative space design incorporates maritime elements such as cabins, decks, and water curtains, resembling a grand ship about to set sail. The restaurant has recently introduced an eye-catching and exaggerated “50-centimeter” ice column creation.
As temperatures soar across Taiwan in the peak of summer this June, are you looking to cool off? The fountain facilities at New Taipei City Hall Plaza have reopened, and the “Summer Water Fun – Kids’ Joyful Splash” event will be held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the 24th (tomorrow). The Butterfly Shadow Dance Troupe and the Fun Theater Troupe will deliver exciting performances, turning the plaza into a “summer water park” for children — making it a perfect destination for families to enjoy water activities and beat the heat.
The Oktoberfest originally began in 1810 as a lively celebration of the wedding between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. Passed down through the years, it has become a renowned carnival and one of the gems of German traditional culture.
The azure island of Capri is recognized worldwide as one of the best honeymoon destinations. The air here is irresistibly romantic, and its enchanting charm feels like paradise. Capri’s hotels are only open for seven months a year (from April to October in the summer season), and with limited rooms and high prices, they’re even more expensive than those along the Amalfi Coast. But trust us, it’s absolutely worth it!
The dome designs with European flair and the Roman-style cylindrical buildings make you feel as if you’ve stepped onto European soil upon entering Asia University. The aesthetically designed campus is not only a place where students study but also an open space enhanced by its reputation as a filming location for idol dramas. This beautiful campus has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos, and in summer, the blooming lotuses add another layer of charm.
Pineapple cake is a famous traditional Taiwanese dessert, with its crispy crust and fragrant, fruit-filled interior. This flavor is not only a nostalgic treat beloved by locals but also a must-buy souvenir for foreign tourists visiting Taiwan. Located in Nantou, the Guihua Tian Pastry Theme Leisure Park has created a “Pineapple Homeland” themed area, offering visitors delicious food, fun activities, and great shopping.
Lunch at Shōroku can’t be reserved. A friend told me it’s better to come around 1:30 PM to try your luck. I deliberately arrived early, getting there at 1:00 PM on the dot. As soon as I walked in, the owner asked if I had a number — without one, no entry, since all the seats were full. Just as I was about to leave disappointed, a customer suddenly called out to me. When I turned around, I realized it was a dining companion — turns out he’s a regular at Shōroku. I got incredibly lucky and immediately joined him at his table.
The Penghu International Maritime Fireworks Festival just concluded on the 21st, leaving unforgettable memories. To sustain the festival’s momentum, the Penghu County Government has announced 3 additional shows to allow more visitors to enjoy Penghu’s summer charm.
When you visit Athens, the capital of Greece, you can’t miss the Acropolis. Even if you’ve never heard of the Acropolis, you’ve surely heard of the world-famous “Parthenon” within it. Most people in Taiwan first hear about the Parthenon in their middle or high school history textbooks. If you love Greek mythology, you absolutely must visit the Parthenon — it’s like stepping right into the world of ancient Greek myths. It’s as romantic as can be.
Planning to visit Japan this year but not sure which spots are worth checking out? From now until the 25th, the three-day “Japan Tourism & Local Products Expo” is taking place at Taipei Main Station. With dozens of tourism organizations from across Japan — from Hokkaido to Kyushu — gathering in the first-floor lobby of Taipei Main Station, you can grab free travel information without any admission fee. There will also be local food tastings, lucky draws, and more.
The annual ocean music extravaganza is back again. The 2017 New Taipei City Gongliao International Ocean Music Festival will be held from July 28 to July 30 at Fulong Beach. In addition to the highly anticipated Ocean Indie Music Awards, the event has invited numerous outstanding indie bands from both home and abroad to join the celebration, offering music fans three days packed with exciting content. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the New Taipei City Gongliao International Ocean Music Festival. To commemorate this milestone, the organizers have specially invited 17 guitar masters to compete on stage, making it one of the highlights of the three-day festival.
The undulating landscape of Mykonos means many hotels can’t expand upwards. The discomfort of going underground is a subtle detail often overlooked by travelers or agencies—but you definitely have a better option. Stay two nights, pick a great hotel, enjoy a dinner date at night, and experience romance the way it’s meant to be. It’s absolutely worth it.
The chance to witness the desert wonders of Qatar is here—up for it? Affected by the diplomatic rift, the Qatari government has announced that travelers from more than 30 countries can now enter the country with a visa-on-arrival
With the scorching summer here, it’s time to escape to the islands for some relaxation. The Thai government introduced visa fee exemptions for tourists last December, extending the offer all the way to August 31. This has significantly boosted travel from Taiwan to Thailand. If you’re looking to squeeze in a relaxing Southeast Asian getaway before the visa fee waiver ends, check out these six major Thai festivals happening in July and August.
Yamagata Prefecture in Japan is located in the Tohoku region, known for its distinct four seasons. Each season brings its own unique charm. The mountain temple in Yamagata was also one of the stops on the journey of Matsuo Bashō, the saint of haiku poetry, during his “Oku no Hosomichi” (Narrow Road to the Deep North) travel diary. If you wish to witness the same scenery Bashō saw and experience the elegance of this haiku master, you absolutely cannot miss this mountain temple.
Nestled in the mountains, this three-story concrete traditional house features long red-brick arched walls that add a rich touch of retro beauty. Surrounded by dense foliage, it brings a cool respite in the peak summer heat. An open 360-degree panoramic terrace offers sweeping views, making the “Qīng Lìfāng” (Green Cube) feel like a new hidden haven in the Xin’tian District.
I arranged a girls’ gathering with my friend Xiaoba and two other gals. Xiaoba recommended two northern Chinese restaurants. I’m not sure if it was because her list of go-to spots was just too appealing, but it ended up being a six-person dinner. Xiaoba loves and often eats at northern-style eateries. This place, Daoxiang Village, was one she frequently visited. Parking here isn’t great, so Meiji and I took the MRT to Technology Building Station.
Although Taiwan is a small island, you can drive less than an hour to be near the mountains and sea, and it has become increasingly popular for international tourism. Recently, the British travel website Culture Trip listed Taiwan's 10 best "Instagram hot spots," where stunning scenery is right at your doorstep. Those of us living on this beautiful island should not sell ourselves short.
I've been having an amazing year—it feels like my luck has finally turned around. Ever since winning free Tigerair tickets at the start of the year, I even managed to score tickets to the hard-to-get Mr.Children hall tour. Since it was the first time in my life that I won tickets with my name on them, there was no way I wasn't going to Japan to see it live. Even though it was a concert trip, looking at my itinerary, anyone who didn't know better might think I came here just to eat and gain weight.