Travel
Only two in Taiwan: Rainbow Village and Mushroom Baby Museum selected as world’s secret wonders
The internationally renowned travel guide Lonely Planet has released a new book titled “The World’s Secret Wonders.” Taichung’s Rainbow Village and Yilan’s Mushroom Baby Museum are the only two Taiwanese attractions featured. The book describes how the once-abandoned village, transformed by the skillful hands of Rainbow Grandpa, not only preserves the original look of the military dependents’ village but has also become an internationally astonishing tourist destination.
Taiwan’s northernmost camping hidden gem – enjoy a private peninsula seascape all to yourself
The most unique of all is the white shipping container, which has been transformed into a 3-person Japanese-style room container cabin called “Polaris.” The space is designed with a Greek-inspired aesthetic and boasts an unobstructed seascape on three sides facing north. Wake up to the sunrise and watch the evening slowly fade into night. Though it may not be the most luxurious, the view it offers is truly irreplaceable.
Taiwanese people love hot pot — these 3 mainland hot pot brands are expanding in Taiwan
Taiwanese people are fond of hot pot, with small hot pots and spicy hot pots available all over the island. Perhaps seeing this passion for hot pot, after Haidilao and Huang Jihuang’s Sanzhi Men Pot, another mainland Chinese hot pot chain brand with 50 outlets — “Laowang” — has now arrived in Taiwan, bringing the total number of mainland Chinese brands operating in Taiwan to three.
Hanlai Harbor Restaurant to Raise Some Meal Prices Starting January 1, 2018 Price Increases Range from 30 to 50 NTD Each
To reflect the increase in the basic wage scheduled for next year (2018) and adjustments in ingredient costs, Hanlai Harbor Buffet will raise the prices of some meals starting January 1, 2018. The adjustments will range from approximately 30 to 50 NTD each, with an overall increase of about 2.4% to 8%. Customers who use meal vouchers purchased after 2018 will need to pay the price difference.
The Most Beautiful Courthouse Ever: Baroque Architecture & Mysterious Catwalks – 5 Must-See Highlights of the Former Tainan District Court
With its lavish Baroque carvings and majestic, solemn grand hall, it’s hard to imagine this was once a sacred hall of justice. The Tainan District Court, a second-class historic site left from the Japanese colonial period, has been meticulously restored and officially opened to the public in 2016 after a century of history. It now attracts a large number of visitors. But don’t just give it a cursory glance—experience all 6 major highlights to truly appreciate its beauty.
The Lalu “Nanjing Regent Hotel” begins trial operation, just 100 meters from the Yangtze River
The Nanjing Regent Hotel, located just 100 meters from the Yangtze River, has a total of 282 guest rooms. It will begin trial operation in December. During the initial opening phase, only 150 rooms will be used, with the remaining gradually coming online next year. The hotel aims to achieve an occupancy rate of 60% in its first year of operation and 80% in the second year.
The world’s tallest public housing skyscraper: A 50-story "sky garden" with breathtaking harbor views
Singapore covers just 719 square kilometers, yet is home to over 5 million people. Despite its small size and dense population, the vibrant cityscape and nightlife are stunningly beautiful. Aside from enjoying the romantic night views at open-air bars, there’s another way to appreciate the daytime beauty—heading to the rooftop of a "HDB flat" to gaze over the fresh, urban scenery of Singapore and experience the land from a unique perspective.
Crazy Boss Alert: Xiangniu Banqiao Branch Opens with “Name Your Discount” Promotion
Xiangniu Erguan, beloved by beef lovers in the Greater Taipei area for serving equally delicious fresh-killed beef without having to travel all the way to Tainan, is opening a new branch in Banqiao. To celebrate the launch of the Banqiao store, the boss is launching an insane promotion: just leave a comment and share on the official Facebook page. When you check out at the Banqiao store, show your comment and share, and you can enjoy a discount of “whatever percentage you name.” The promotion runs from October 24 to October 31 and is only available for dine-in at the Banqiao location.
Breathtakingly beautiful: Japan’s most romantic wild hot spring “Golden Spring” – a dreamy autumn foliage screen
One of the well-known hot spring resorts in the Sakae-Nagano area of Niigata Prefecture, “Enzan Hot Springs,” is already embraced by a dreamy red-leaf landscape. Travelers walk along the mountain slope, entering the Otagiri Valley at an altitude of 1,900 meters through the mist. The mountain path is carpeted with a red blanket of fallen leaves, while yellow, red, and orange maple leaves paint the once emerald-green forest. Among the woods lies the wild hot spring “Golden Spring,” allowing visitors to enjoy a soothing soak surrounded by fiery foliage.
GODIVA launches Hello Kitty 2017 Limited Edition Chocolate Gift Box — only 410 boxes available in Taiwan
November 1st is Hello Kitty’s birthday, and on this day GODIVA unveiled the GODIVA x Hello Kitty Global Limited Edition Series. In addition to adorable Hello Kitty chocolate ice cream and frozen drinks shaped like Hello Kitty bows, a globally limited edition of 4,000 (with only 410 available in Taiwan) Hello Kitty 2017 Limited Edition Chocolate Gift Boxes went on sale starting November 6th, featuring GODIVA chocolates paired with cute Hello Kitty limited-edition plush toys.
The 2017 "NaoRe Guandu Festival" kicks off this weekend in Taipei with thousands hitting the streets and hundreds of boats setting sail
Taipei’s most grandiose festival event: the "2017 NaoRe Guandu Festival" will be held this Sunday (October 29). Participating groups will advance by both water and land, converging at the Guandu Waterfront Park for a full day of exciting activities. A total of 35 creative street parade teams will take part on land, while over a hundred canoes will form a fleet on the water. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je will also join the canoe fleet that day, paddling to the venue and joining the Guandu community in a festive costume party that will liven up the area.
Challenge your taste buds: Hsinchu’s spicy and aromatic beef noodles paired with fresh Sichuan pepper hot tea
“Cangniu Jue Xinjue Beef Noodles” – The chef behind this dish is confident in the beef noodles he developed, spending five years traveling across China to combine elements of Sichuan, Chongqing, and Xiangyang beef noodles with a spicy Chongqing-style broth. The “fresh Sichuan pepper hot tea” is served free of charge, as the chef shares the finest ingredients with everyone. Only the freshest Sichuan peppercorns can be used in the tea, ensuring there are no off-putting flavors.
Open another one right downstairs at this museum, but Majia Shabu-Shabu No. 2 will open on 10/31
Majia Shabu-Shabu’s main branch opened last year (2016) in October on the 5th floor of Wenhua Boutique. Nearly a year later, Wenhua Boutique Chairman Lin Ming-chun invested tens of millions to create a second branch on the 3rd floor of Wenhua Boutique, which officially opened on October 31. The second branch features an aquarium custom-made at a cost of millions, combining a luxurious visual appeal with practicality, serving as the visual highlight of the restaurant. It also emphasizes native water temperature zoning for breeding, allowing guests to directly select seafood to be prepared by the chefs, ensuring the freshest ingredients in the pot.
Make your own takoyaki yourself！Enjoy a fun meal at aTaipei-style grilled meat restaurant in Taichung, complete with flowing noodles
Taichung is a hub of creative cuisine. Just a short drive of around ten minutes from Taichung Railway Station, you’ll find “Rakumaru Taishuu Yakiniku Shubo” on Chenggong Road in Central District, where you can DIY your own fragrant takoyaki right at the table！
The most beautiful red glass house between mountains and sea | Japan’s must-ride “Setsugekka Sightseeing Train”
Japanese railways are not just a means of transporting passengers from one place to another, but also a moving scenery that showcases local characteristics. The private railway “Echigo Tokimeki Railway” in Niigata Prefecture has created a sightseeing train full of Niigata charm called the “Setsugekka.” With its bright red exterior, it resembles a stunning red glass house speeding through the mountains and sea, and it only runs on weekends and national holidays, attracting many domestic and international rail fans who rush to ride it.
Bringing Oktoberfest to downtown Taipei – A European-style carnival kicks off on 10/27
In conjunction with the “2017 Taipei Gourmet World Tour” event organized by the Taipei City Government, Taipei 101 is hosting a special “European Flavors Carnival” this year. In addition to a Bavarian-style beer festival in a traditional beer tent, the event will feature cuisine from 11 countries – including Germany, the UK, France, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, Slovakia, Spain, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Italy – with a total of 20 food stalls. The carnival will take place at Taipei 101’s Water Dance Plaza from October 27 to November 12.
New winter hot spring spot in Kaohsiung: Soak your feet and enjoy flowers at BaoLai Hot Spring Park
As the temperature gradually cools down, it’s once again the perfect season for a relaxing hot spring soak. BaoLai in Liouguei District, Kaohsiung, known for its hot springs and plum blossoms, is a hot spring area located by a tributary of the Nanzixian River. Severely damaged by Typhoon Morakot in the past, the area has been meticulously rebuilt. A new hot spring source was discovered, and the brand-new attraction “BaoLai Flower Viewing Hot Spring Park” was created, allowing visitors to warm their hands and feet during the chilly winter days.
New all-you-can-eat restaurant in Taichung for just 300 TWD? Plus the Instagram-favorite "ball pit bathtub"
Taichung is truly a battleground for foodies. "Canoya" is located in the Yizhong commercial district. After its soft opening in mid-October, it caused quite a stir on Instagram. The restaurant brings together all the elements loved by influencers — such as a grassy picnic area, pastel-colored diamond-shaped walls, large studio lights, and even a bathtub filled with colorful plastic balls. The whole place feels like an exclusive photo studio.
No need to fly to Japan for a yukata photoshoot—take one at Tainan’s “Natsukyō House”!
Slip into a yukata, step into wooden clogs, and wander through rows of traditional low-rise Japanese houses, making you feel like you’ve been instantly transported to Japan. Originally the dormitory complex of the Tainan Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station, Natsukyō House was established in Taishō 12 (1923). After the renovation of these historic buildings last September, it officially opened to the public and has since become a relaxing spot brimming with Japanese charm.
The biggest deals at the travel fair！4-day Japan Tohoku trip for just NT$5,999, 6-day Thailand trip with all-you-can-eat king crabs for under NT$10,000
The ITF Taipei International Travel Fair will be held from October 27 to 30 at the Taipei World Trade Center, Hall 3. Those looking to book popular 2018 itineraries such as cherry blossom or snow tours in Japan and Korea, or European trips, should take advantage of the fair to save money. Major travel agencies continue to promote Taiwan’s favorite short-haul trips to Japan this year, with explorations of Tohoku’s hidden gems starting at just 4 days for NT$5,999. Long-haul European routes also feature 8-day, two-country tours for under NT$50,000 this year. Those still on the fence can seize the opportunity to book.