Travel
Taipei W Hotel and YELLOW LEMON Collaborate on a Visually Healing Summer Citrus Afternoon Tea
The collaborative afternoon tea continues to be a hit. Taipei W Hotel has teamed up with the popular creative dessert shop YELLOW LEMON to launch the “Summer Citrus” afternoon tea at the 10th-floor the kitchen table Western restaurant. Paired with the restaurant’s bright yellow-and-white design and the concept of an open-air garden space, it creates a fun, outdoor picnic vibe for the peak of summer. The “Summer Citrus” afternoon tea set includes nine sweet and savory treats, two special refreshing iced teas, as well as unlimited coffee and tea. The price is NT$980 + 10% per person, or a discounted rate of NT$1,800 + 10% for two people.
Next expansion plan for Sushiro: After entering downtown Taoyuan, then moving to New Taipei City
Sushiro’s second branch in Taipei—Taipei Guanqian Store—is set to officially open on July 4. With 235 seats, it will be the store with the most seating in any Sushiro location worldwide. Sushiro aims to open 10 stores in Taiwan this year. Nishikawa Kentaro, chairman of Taiwan Sushiro, revealed the next phase of expansion plans: first establishing a presence in Taoyuan City’s Taoyuan District, followed by expanding into New Taipei City, possibly around Sanchong and Luzhou.
Taichung isn’t just about dreamy mirror cakes — there’s also high-end dessert “marbled macarons”
The Taichung dessert shop SIANG HAO PATISSERIE0?esserts0?肿魈鸬悖?which opened this year, has quickly gained popularity. Its visually stunning creations and exquisite flavors have delighted many, and in July, it’s set to wow the local dessert scene again with its brand-new “marbled macarons.”
Taroko’s “Summer Original Flavor Ice Parlor” Opens – A Whole Pineapple Filled with Slush Is Super Wholesome
On a hot summer day, nothing beats digging into some ice treats big time. Located in Hualien, the Taroko Grand Formosa Taroko Hotel has launched its “Original Flavor Ice Parlor” this summer, featuring bold, whole-fruit creations as limited-edition midsummer specials. These include a “Pineapple Mango Slush” served in an entire fresh pineapple, and a “Fruit Medley Slush” made with watermelon and dragon fruit, allowing guests to enjoy a cool summer by the infinity pool by the river.
Super cute！Japan Airlines unveils a "Minions" livery plane, set to take you to the skies by late July
The new "Minion Park" themed area at Universal Studios Japan became an instant hit after its launch in late April. Riding on the Minions craze, Japan Airlines has announced the launch of a "Minions" livery plane, which will begin operating domestic routes starting July 27.
More play equipment means double the fun at the water park — Nuannuan Interactive Water Park reopens on July 5!
Another free water play spot is coming your way. Nuannuan Interactive Water Park will reopen on the morning of July 5. The reopening ceremony will feature a fun bubble show and free ice cream. Parents with kids or groups of friends are invited to bring water guns, buckets, bubble wands, and more to join in the fun and cool off this summer.
Nantou Aowanda Anniversary Celebration: Limited-Time Offer for Three Days – Entrance Tickets Only NT$10 Starting July 1
Due to continuous heavy rainfall in June, the Nantou Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area was closed for several days. Thanks to the emergency repairs carried out by the Nantou Forest District Office, the area has now largely recovered and has announced it will reopen on July 1. Coinciding with Aowanda’s 23rd anniversary, entrance tickets will be just NT$10 for all visitors from July 1 to 3.
Matcha lovers, this one’s for you！Taiwanese-style girly afternoon tea — Uji matcha red bean pancake
When matcha lovers spot new matcha desserts, they’ve gotta check them out ASAP～ Honestly, I’m so jealous of my friends up north with so many matcha shops to soothe their souls. I’ve been to this place, Fat Bi, several times already. Recently, I saw on A WEEK’s Facebook that they have new menu items—and they’re matcha ones, my favorite!! How could I not come and report back～
Taipei’s largest five-star hotel in Wanhua District — Caesar Metro Taipei to begin soft opening in July
Caesar Metro Taipei is a new hotel brand launched by Caesar Park Hotels, aiming to boost regional tourism and create market differentiation and uniqueness. Located at the new landmark of Wanhua — the Twin Star Building, the hotel benefits from integrated Taiwan Railways services as well as convenient access to the MRT and buses. It features 745 guest rooms, dining options including a Chinese restaurant, all-day buffet, bar, and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 550 guests, making it the largest five-star hotel in the Wanhua District. The hotel is expected to begin soft opening in July and officially open in August.
Open-air beef noodles in Guangfu New Village, Wufeng – a “continuous banquet” that only appears after dark
This old shop specializes in beef noodles, with a simple yet satisfying flavor. The lard-mixed noodles also taste great. But the locals in Guangfu New Village all say you absolutely must not miss their marinated meats here. The marinated items are displayed in a transparent glass case, with an incredibly wide selection: marinated beef, beef tripe, chicken feet, duck wings… it made my stomach growl just looking at them, and I wanted to order everything. After much deliberation, I finally decided on my choices and handed them to the boss to slice and plate.
The 2017 Qingjing Windmill Festival Kicks Off in July, Creating a Sky-Blue Wave of Windmills
The Qingjing Little Switzerland Garden Windmill Festival 2017 will debut in July this year. The event will decorate the Little Switzerland Garden with tens of thousands of sky-blue windmills, featuring an S-shaped pathway composed of 5,000 sky-blue windmills, a blue-lit grassland paired with a sky-blue starlight carriage, and a vast sea of sky-blue windmill flowers that blend seamlessly with the deep blue sky, offering visitors an expansive view as if heaven and earth are one.
A must-visit island-hopping list for Bond fans: Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay “007 Island”
Phuket Island is located in the southern waters of Thailand. With its vibrant Patong Beach and lively nightlife, it attracts a large number of tourists every year. Beyond Phuket, there are many other islands in Thai waters that are like hidden paradises, waiting to be explored. Sail across the sea and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the ocean and sky.
The razor clams are endless—Taipei’s newly opened hotpot spot serves up an ocean of seafood!
Hotpot spots are going all out—no limits in sight. Taipei’s new “Extreme Razor Clams” hotpot restaurant, which opened at the end of May, is drawing crowds with its massive servings of razor clams. The broth is carefully crafted for health, using a distillation method to infuse the essence extracted from steamed razor clams into the soup—delicious, sweet, and nourishing. And the final razor clam congee? It’s legendary. Diners say they’re completely stuffed afterward!
Foodies, this one’s for you: A super lazy guide to 22 new restaurants that opened in the first half of the year
The biggest talking points in the food and beverage scene in the first half of 2017 were the opening of Ippudo Ramen in June. Not only did it attract hordes of fans who queued up, but its streak of over 250 hours of continuous queuing broke the previous record set in Hong Kong. Then there was the debut of Tsuta Ramen, the first ramen shop to earn a Michelin one-star rating, as well as Lau Fai Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, the world’s first street vendor to receive a Michelin one-star. Also making waves was Japan’s Gyukaku, a Chinese cuisine chain that sells 2 million dumplings daily in Japan—its opening was equally buzzworthy. In total, 22 new restaurants opened in the first half of the year. How many have you tried?
The literary-style ice cream shop "You Shi Hou. Red Bean" Branch 2 is now on trial sale, featuring an ultra-photogenic full rainbow wall
The literary-style ice cream shop "You Shi Hou. Red Bean," which opened only in August (2016), is set to open its second branch in Zhongli, Taoyuan. Trial operations began on June 28. Zhongli branch inherits the literary vibe of the Taoyuan store, complete with beautiful dried flower arrangements. Most notably, the shop has painted an entire exterior wall in a rainbow design, which is expected to become a popular selfie spot for IG influencers.
Voted by global travelers as the top 10 most fun theme parks – Universal Studios Japan takes the crown
Japan is the top overseas travel destination for Taiwanese travelers, and its diverse and thrilling theme parks are one of the must-visit spots. The world’s largest travel website TripAdvisor recently released the “Top 10 Best Theme Parks in Japan” as chosen by global travelers, offering more exciting options for visitors during the summer vacation.
Highest customer satisfaction rating ever achieved – Korean Air named “Best Airline”
Korean Air has been selected as the “Best Airline” in the 2017 Global Customer Satisfaction Index (GCSI), marking the 13th consecutive year it has received this prestigious honor. The GCSI is an index developed by the multicultural consulting group JMAC to evaluate levels of customer satisfaction. Each year, the group compiles and analyzes factors influencing customer satisfaction, customer value, and global competitiveness, using these criteria to select the top companies of the year.
Dual Delights of Land and Sea: Tainan Steamed Seafood Tower Hotpot with Tableside Grilled Steak
Shark Bites Seafood Hotpot is located on Qianfeng Road near the back railway station, close to National Cheng Kung University and the Far Eastern Hotel. Carefully selected seafood ingredients are used to create delicious and aromatic seafood tower hotpots. The owner, who has a background in food and nutrition, is particularly particular about cuisine, insisting on hand-picking fresh seafood and pairing it with signature dishes of their own creation — ensuring a satisfying and hearty meal.
Hidden waterfalls for splashing fun & cycling on ancient trails: 9 recommended summer getaways in New Taipei
A hot summer calls for wild celebrations. The New Taipei City Government’s Tourism Bureau has curated three themed travel routes: Waterfront Music Light Shows, Cool Mountain Waterfalls, and Family-Friendly Riverside Parks — totaling nine routes. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic bay vibe, escape the hustle to mountain waterfalls for a cool retreat, or entertain kids during the long summer break while soaking up sea breezes on a water bus, it’s all here in New Taipei.
A stunning seaside dining spot at a small fishing harbor in Athens – every photo looks like a postcard
When visiting the breathtakingly beautiful Greece, be sure to find a sea-view restaurant with an exceptional vista to fully enjoy the experience. Just a 15–20 minute drive from central Athens, the Piraeus (Πειραιάς) area is home to Mikrolimano, a hidden gem worth exploring. There are many scenic restaurants built along the coast, where you can dine from 7 pm to 9 pm Greek time and catch the perfect sunset.