Travel
Drilling under the bridal sedan is surprisingly fun—discover the hidden “Starlight Tunnel” beneath the giant Mazu statue
“Drilling under the bridal sedan” is a common religious ritual in Taiwanese folk belief, symbolizing prayers for blessings and safety. When you visit Matsu’s Nangan, you can’t miss the coolest way to do it in all of Taiwan. Visitors to Matsu will definitely make a pilgrimage to see the massive 28.8-meter-tall Mazu statue, but many don’t know there’s also a hidden tunnel beneath the statue called the “Menqian Mountain” Tunnel.
Gyeongsangbuk-do Makes Travelers Want to Return Again and Again – Lee Jae-chun: “Local Warmth” Is the Key
Taiwan has become South Korea’s fourth-largest source of inbound tourists, with over 830,000 visitors from Taiwan in 2016 alone. As direct flights to various Korean cities continue to increase, exploring different parts of Korea has become more convenient. But how to attract even more visitors? Lee Jae-chun, Vice President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Tourism Organization, believes: “The ‘local warmth’ of a place is its greatest appeal, making travelers want to return again and again.”
The Little Texas Knight isn’t completely gone — 2 stores remain in Taiwan, both in Kaohsiung
Recently, fried chicken has been a hot topic. Not long ago, a foreign man reviewed two fried chicken spots: DD Burgers and the Little Texas Knight. Some netizens were shocked, asking, “Isn’t the Little Texas Knight already out of business?” In fact, the Little Texas Knight still has two remaining stores in Taiwan, both located in Kaohsiung City — the Yucheng Store in Gushan District and the Wufu Store in Xinxing District.
Newly opened Japanese restaurant in Fengjia: Luxury Seafood N< Rice with over 12 ingredients
The ?匠DX Luxury Seafood N< comes served in a wooden basin, extremely lavish and generous. The seafood includes salmon roe, sea urchin, squid, small abalone, spaghetti eel, salmon, hairtail, tuna, red shrimp, large scallops, small scallops, and angel shrimp
Closed for safety reasons: 3 IG aesthetic photo spots you shouldn’t visit anymore
Dong’ao Pink Bird Forest in Yilan, known for its endless seascape, has been a popular IG check-in spot recently. However, due to safety concerns, the ban on recreational activities within the fishing port area, and the proliferation of litter caused by crowds, the authorities have temporarily closed Pink Bird Forest Beach. In fact, while IG has made many locations go viral, some aren’t even official attractions and can even be dangerous—leading to closures based on safety considerations.
Who’s grabbing my foot? That icy hand at the Kanchanaburi Bridge Hotel in Thailand...
The job of a travel journalist allows for frequent international assignments, good food, and comfortable accommodations, but it often requires staying alone in a room. Facing an empty space can be stressful for those without courage—though I’ve never had such an experience myself, only feeling restless and unable to sleep well. However, my colleague Miss K revealed that among all the hotels she’s stayed in, her experience at the Kanchanaburi Bridge in Thailand was the most terrifying.
The Grand Hotel Taipei Indian Food Festival Kicks Off on August 25 – Runs for 10 Days
Taipei’s Grand Hotel Taipei held its “Modern Culinary Art – Indian Food Festival” event today (25th). The event is organized by the hotel’s International Culture & Gourmet Team, with Chef Ajay Chopra making his debut in Taiwan. The Indian food festival will run for 10 days, starting from August 25 to September 3.
The 18th Sukiya store in Taiwan, Xinpku Branch, officially opens on September 1
Sukiya Taiwan, which has a medium-term goal of opening 100 stores in Taiwan, continues to expand in the Greater Taipei area. Its 17th store, Dingtupu Branch, opened in June, while the 18th store, “Xinpu Branch,” will officially open on September 1. The store is located about a five-minute walk from Xinpu Station, near Zhili University of Science and Technology.
Yamagata’s Must-Visit Soma-rou in Sakata: Travel Through Time with Geisha Dancers Amidst Music and Dance
Japanese Kabuki carries a profound historical and cultural heritage, and due to regional differences, it has developed unique variations. At Soma-rou in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, beyond the classic century-old traditional Japanese architecture, you can also witness the now rare geisha performances, where local Sakata folk songs guide audiences through a journey from past to present.
New Hotel "Kirin in Jiaoxi" Opens for Trial in Yilan: Features the Highest Private Open-Air Bath in Jiaoxi
Another new hotel has opened in Yilan this summer. The long-established Taipei Ximending hotel brand, Kirin Hotel, has launched a brand-new hot spring accommodation — "Kirin Hotel in Jiaoxi." Not only is the hotel conveniently located on Jiaoxi’s main street, but its rooftop also boasts the highest private open-air hot spring bath in Jiaoxi, offering a 180-degree panoramic view of the Lanyang Plain and distant sightlines to Turtle Island. The hotel is now open for trial operations.
"Taiwan’s Greek Island" Getaway: Relax in Pure White Lighthouses & Breathtaking Ocean Views
Winding through maze-like alleys of white-walled lanes, gaze at the endless seascape where sky and ocean blur into one. Located at Taiwan’s northernmost border, the Dongyin Lighthouse on Matsu Islands boasts sea-meets-sky views, a century-old white building, and stone-paved paths. The romantic scenery creates an illusion of being in Greece’s Aegean Sea, with stunning views around every corner that take your breath away.
Not just Dadaocheng (Dadaocheng Festival)! The 5-minute-20-second waterfront fireworks show at Fisherman’s Wharf kicks off this Sunday
Taipei’s Dadaocheng Valentine’s Day event will feature a spectacular 600-second fireworks display on the 26th, much anticipated by locals and couples alike. Beyond Dadaocheng, the Fleur de Chine Hotel (Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf Branch) in New Taipei City will also join forces with the New Taipei City Government and Fisherman’s Wharf business district (including Waterside Enterprises, World Chocolate Dream Park, Tamsui District Fishermen’s Association, and Chrysanthemum Island BBQ) to host a series of “Love at Fisherman’s Wharf” activities on the 27th, culminating in a dazzling 5-minute-20-second waterfront aerial fireworks show.
Sānzi Grilled Pancakes in Wenshan District – The Fading Taste of a Xuzhou Mother's Home Cooking
Although the sǎnzi (umbrella-shaped snacks) from Xuzhou are delicious, few people still know how to make them due to the complicated process. The dough needs to be rested and stretched three times, just like making noodles, and must be fully relaxed before stretching to prevent breaking. It also needs to be oiled to avoid sticking, then coiled in the bowl into a spiral shape like a mosquito coil. Just before frying, one person has to twirl the dough while another catches it—if not for two people working together, it would be pure chaos. The straightforward and outspoken Grandma Liu sighs that although many have asked her to teach them the skill, most are either all thumbs or can’t stand the intense heat by the stove and flee. She fears she’ll only be able to keep making them until she physically can’t anymore.
1.38 million to fly to Kenya & Tahiti in style – Crystal Skye, the world’s most luxurious private jet, makes its maiden voyage in September
Star Cruises’ parent company, Genting Hong Kong Limited, has officially launched the newest addition to Crystal AirCruises – “Crystal Skye.” Its maiden voyage will depart from the Asia-Pacific region on September 30th, offering a chartered flight to the raw wilderness of Kenya and the island paradise of Tahiti. Experience an exclusive luxury journey where only 86 lucky passengers worldwide will be among the first to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. In the future, travelers can also freely book 1- to 28-day global itineraries, enjoying a uniquely comprehensive and exceptional private jet experience.
Soak in the public baths at Kagaya from September and enjoy a free eel rice bowl worth nearly NT$1,000
Summer is traditionally the low season for hot spring resorts. Kagaya by Nikken Sekkei in Beitou is launching the "Midsummer Vitality: Soak & Savor Eel Rice" campaign in September. From September 1 to September 30, simply soak in the public baths at Kagaya and you’ll receive a complimentary eel rice lunch (known as unagi jū), priced at NT$880 plus 10% service charge. The usual price for the public bath is NT$1,200 on weekdays and NT$1,500 on weekends.
Eating 900 bowls a day — the beef noodle supplier for the Universiade Village athletes is Love. Aged 21
What Taiwanese dish do Universiade athletes love the most? The village offers hundreds of dishes, among which the most popular Taiwanese food is crispy fried chicken, followed by beef noodles, with 900 bowls consumed daily. The beef noodles served in the village come from Love. Aged 21 Beef Noodles. On the 25th, Love. Aged 21 also announced the launch of two new menu items: Spicy Sichuan-Style Beef Noodles and Ultra-Premium Spicy Sichuan Essence Beef Noodles.
An Unforgettable Sleepless Night in Okinawa: The Blanket Gets Pulled, and a Grim Face Appears at 3 AM for Just a Second
As a travel journalist, I often have to go on business trips abroad. It was a few years ago when I traveled to Okinawa for work and stayed at a well-known resort. Because the hotel was by the sea, almost all the rooms had an ocean view. I was initially very excited and thought all the facilities were great. But little did I know that happy times always pass especially quickly. On our first day at the hotel, strange things began happening at night.
Papa at Sanzhi, a Relaxing Hidden Gem Café on the Northern Coast!
I never expected such a beautiful café in Sanzhi to be right near my home. I immediately booked a table at Papa at Sanzhi—remember to make a reservation first. The owner operates on an appointment-only basis and does not accept walk-ins. Since he’s a one-man operation, limiting the number of guests helps him manage things better. Plus, he wants visitors to feel relaxed here, so he prefers to keep the crowd small.
Breathtaking lake views！ Pure white campervans by Yilan’s Meihua Lake，where you can enjoy your own starry sky
Not sure how to start camping because you lack the gear? Why not try staying in a “campervan” first? A new campervan homestay recently opened in May by Yilan’s Meihua Lake. Featuring 10 pure white campervans paired with wooden deck balconies，the setup is set against a vast lawn and tranquil lakeside scenery； lie back in the campervan and gaze up through the skylight at a sky full of stars.
It’s like living in a pastoral painting — a scenic coffee shop standing alone in the rice fields
The captivating rice field scenery along Taitung’s Brown Highway has become one of eastern Taiwan’s most iconic landscapes. Likewise, in Yamagata Prefecture’s Shōnai region of Japan, the golden swaying rice crops during harvest season almost blanket the land. To enjoy such idyllic rural views, there’s no better place than the café “ギャラリ0?Ε匹０?氚??SUI （翠）” (Gallery SUI), which offers a breathtaking view, along with rice-flour coffee and homemade cakes.