Travel
The fifth Hai Di Lao hotpot branch, located near the station at Taipei Main Station, is tentatively set to open in December.
The hotpot chain Hai Di Lao, which continues to expand across Taiwan, plans to open its fifth branch—the Taipei Main Station (站前京站) location—at Taipei’s Sky City shopping mall after opening its second branch in Banqiao, third in Taichung, and fourth in Hsinchu. The tentative opening date is December this year. The second branch in Banqiao opened in June, followed by the upcoming openings in Hsinchu and Taichung, though specific dates have not yet been announced.
New late-night snack option: LONGTAIL, an international fusion restaurant open until 2 AM
Following the December 2016 launch of Chou Chou, a French restaurant offering a fresh take on classic French cuisine, Lin Ming-Chien opened LONGTAIL Restaurant & Bar in Taipei’s Dunhua commercial district in July 2017. Open until 2 AM, the venue serves international contemporary dishes alongside creative cocktails, fine wines, and craft beers—giving night owls a new spot to satisfy their late-night cravings.
Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area “Closed Indefinitely” – Tourism Bureau Announces Refund and Contract Termination Principles for Tour Groups!
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan on the evening of the 8th. The Tourism Bureau has confirmed that there are currently 19 Taiwanese tour groups and 341 people in the area, all of whom are safe. Due to the strong earthquake, Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area has been “closed indefinitely” starting today. Outbound tour group itineraries from Taiwan have been successively canceled, and the Tourism Bureau has also announced refund principles for affected tour participants.
Run across the sea and hop between islands on foot！ The first “Penghu Cross-Sea Marathon” kicks off in November
To extend the peak tourism season in Penghu, the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration will host the “2017 Kinmen Island (Penghu) Cross-Sea Marathon” during the autumn and winter. This marathon is the first in Taiwan to feature an AB-point, non-loop course on an outlying island. It will start on November 19 at the Siyuan Visitor Center on Siyu Island in Penghu, and registration is now open.
Sold out in just one hour！Taiwan’s Tainan welcomes a new “French Bulldog Mochi Cake” shop with a daily limit of 200 pieces
Have you ever tried a French Bulldog-shaped mochi cake? Tainan’s food scene never ceases to amaze—recently, a wooden food cart popped up on Guohua Street, specializing exclusively in French Bulldog-shaped mochi cakes, and they’re only open for five hours a day！Inspired by the owner’s former pet Frenchie, these mochi cakes feature super-realistic, adorable Frenchie faces that are sure to melt hearts and are destined to create a craze in Tainan.
Hike up the mountain and then hop on a yacht ride—New Taipei’s top picks for refreshing trails & a budget-friendly one-day adventure
This year’s New Taipei Mountain Hiking Festival continues its theme of “Mountain Connection & Light Travel,” featuring a one-day event themed “A Cool Summer.” It showcases “Eight Refreshing Trails,” categorized into three themes: “Stream Trails,” “Waterfall Trails,” and “Forest Trails.” These combine guided trail tours and special local meals to offer small-group adventures that blend natural ecology with cultural charm. Immerse yourself in the unique features of the area, adding more fun to your hiking experience.
Traveling to Japan is getting more expensive！ Departure fees to be charged — these 3 new costs may apply for future trips to Japan
Japan is the top overseas travel destination for Taiwanese, but traveling there will soon get even more costly！ In addition to the recently announced consumption tax hike, Japan is now following the example of European countries by introducing a “departure tax” for all international travelers. Moreover, Kyoto will join Tokyo and Osaka in levying an “accommodation tax” on visitors, with implementation expected to start as early as 2018.
Asian Chefs' Summit to be held in September with 15 renowned chefs from Asia gathering together
Mandarin Oriental Taipei and The Landis Taipei will participate in the "Asian Chefs' Summit" hosted by FIM MEDIA in September, inviting 13 top restaurants and 15 international celebrity chefs to exchange culinary skills. Chef presentations will be held at both hotels from September 19 to 21.
Popsicles + Sprite for a Refreshing Summer Drink – “Measuring Cup Popsicle Bubbles” Cool You Down with One Sip
When the summer heat makes you lose your appetite for anything soupy, light meals and pasta become the best choices. Located in Da’an, Port23 is a restaurant under Folio Hotel (富艺旅), and even during regular lunch hours, it’s packed with diners eager to try something new. This summer, the restaurant incorporates refreshing fruits and vegetables as well as abundant seafood, combining fresh Taiwanese summer ingredients to launch a series of cooling and appetizing dishes.
A beef noodle shop opened by Yilan’s firefighting heroes offers love meals for those in need!
“Firefighter Beef Noodles” — what a unique name!! Turns out the owner of Firefighter Beef Noodles really does have a background as a volunteer firefighter, which explains the cool name!! But whether the name is special or not, what matters most is that the food tastes great!! At least it really suited our taste. BEN loves beef noodles. Among the 13 beef noodle shops he likes in Yilan, this one is definitely in the top tier!!
Dream treehouses and giant chairs — endless Instagram-worthy shots at Tainan’s Elegant Farmer Art & Culture Farm
The ancient city of Tainan is beloved by both domestic and international travelers, offering a wide array of authentic Taiwanese snacks and numerous fun, photogenic spots. Whether you're looking for an intellectual journey through Tainan’s history or a foodie adventure sampling local delicacies, you’re sure to have a great time. Located in Houpi, the Elegant Farmer Art & Culture Farm is perfect for families or a group of friends to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Dessert World’s Terrorist: The “Crazy Milkshake” with Out-of-Control Calories in Neihu, Taipei
Recently, a burger joint in New York City, USA, launched an outrageously oversized milkshake. After photos of it went viral on Instagram, a craze ensued. Hong Kong’s famed café “Holly Brown” also created its own distinctive crazy milkshakes using its well-known Italian gelato. Last August, it opened its first overseas flagship store in Taipei’s Neihu district, giving Taiwanese people the chance to try this “terrorist” of the dessert world.
An unbeatable seascape as the backdrop — the “most beautiful diving secret spot in New Taipei” hidden inside an elementary school
Thanks to their prime locations, many stunning Taiwanese sights are tucked away within school campuses. Located in Gongliao District, New Taipei City, “Fulian Elementary School” not only boasts a dreamy rainbow staircase but also hides a diving secret spot. With the school’s boundary wall offering an uninterrupted seascape, it feels as if you could reach out and touch the coastline. It’s no exaggeration to call it the most picturesque elementary school in northern Taiwan, making students who study here the envy of many.
Taiwan’s Top 5 “Free Summer Getaways” – Escape to the Mountains & Forests, Soak in Mountain Streams & Enjoy Natural Air Conditioning
Escaping the scorching summer shouldn’t mean staying cooped up in an air-conditioned room. Only by immersing yourself in nature can you truly refresh your body and mind from the inside out. ETNEWS Travel has specially curated a list of “lesser-known free summer getaways” – forest-immersed, water-nearby itineraries. Come explore them on your days off and return feeling completely renewed.
The 3rd Restaurant Week kicks off on August 29th – Enjoy discounts of around 50% to 80%, with set meals starting from NT$599
The 3rd “2017 Taipei Restaurant Week” will officially begin on August 29th. This edition features 70 participating restaurants, including 34 renowned dining establishments that have either never taken part before or are joining right after their grand opening—such as Paris 1930, and Orchid Restaurant 兰, a French eatery with an Eastern soul that opened just last year, along with Ta...
Hong Kong’s “Traditional Horse Racing” Cheat Sheet – Grab a Betting Slip and Feel the Thrill!
Visiting Hong Kong for the first time and heading to the races? The sight of horses sprinting on the track and the roar of the crowd is still enough to get your blood pumping. Today, let’s take a look at horse racing in Hong Kong – we’ll cover everything from the venues and transportation to the race schedule and how to place your bets!
Taipei Fu Hwa Buffet Rebrands and Relaunches — 1 Free with 4 Guests During Soft Opening
The buffet restaurant at Taipei Fu Hwa Hotel has been renamed “Park Avenue” (formerly the Louvre). The concept draws inspiration from nearby Ren’ai Road, likened to New York City’s Manhattan’s Park Avenue. In addition to a completely revamped dining environment, the menu features an all-new selection of American cuisine, such as grilled American bone-in lamb leg, American-style barbecue pork ribs, charcoal-grilled New Orleans salmon, and New Orleans crab cakes. During the soft opening period (July 13 – August 19), enjoy 1 free entry when 4 guests dine together.
Legendary Michelin-starred Parisian chef to make a guest appearance in Taiwan, with cooking classes available
Le Taillevent, a legendary two-Michelin-starred restaurant located on Paris’s Champs-Élysées, is also known as the guardian of traditional French cuisine and served as the inspiration for the movie *Ratatouille*. The Grand Hyatt Taipei has invited the restaurant’s chef, Alain Soliverès, to be a guest chef at its Le Bistro Restaurant from September 6 to 8. A special “Michelin Cooking Class” will also be held on September 5, where the chef will share cooking techniques and secrets from Michelin-starred restaurants.
Yangmingshan Summer Retreat – The Grass Mountain Chateau Offers Cuisine and Exhibitions
Summer is the perfect time to escape to the mountains for relief from the heat. When outdoor temperatures soar, only the cool mountain air can truly ease the summer swelter. The Grass Mountain Chateau in Yangmingshan not only offers sweeping views of the Tamsui Guandu Plain but also serves delicious food and hosts art exhibitions.
Limited to 30 bottles per day only! Taiwan’s old-school Japanese-style tofu pudding shop introduces “Colorful Floral Sparkling Drinks”
This Japanese-style tofu pudding specialty shop, with over 50 years of heritage, has recently launched a new line of floral sparkling drinks. Made fresh upon order and available in limited daily quantities, they’ve quickly become a hit. The vibrant, gradient colors instantly brighten your mood.