Travel
This guide to Hong Kong has it all — 10 must-know IG hotspots for your travel photos
Don’t just shop and eat when you’re in Hong Kong. Grab your camera or phone and follow this IG hotspot map for an amazing photo journey. With its compact and densely populated urban landscape, Hong Kong has developed many distinctive buildings, while the stunning sights of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour are world-renowned. Even the everyday scenes that most people overlook can become breathtaking photo subjects. To capture all these popular IG spots in one go, these 10 attractions are absolutely not to be missed.
Fun, food, and stunning views – here are 10 reasons why the UK media is raving about Taiwan as a must-visit destination
Just how amazing is Taiwan? Even locals might not know. Today, the online edition of the London Evening Standard features an article by Chang Er-[Name unclear], founder of the Soho Taiwanese restaurant "Xu Ruhua Yuan" – also known as the popular bao bun spot BAO – introducing ten must-visit reasons to explore Taiwan’s natural beauty.
A small Taipei eatery run by Peruvians: roast chicken, risotto, and purple corn drink like red wine
Xiao Sheng, who is always planning the next trip, currently has no greater desire than to visit Peru’s Machu Picchu, the so-called "City in the Sky." But alas, with work keeping me tied down, I have no idea when I’ll be able to set off for that longed-for destination. However, even if I can’t make it to Machu Picchu, getting a taste of Peruvian cuisine isn’t difficult—in Taipei, there’s a small restaurant run by Peruvians. No Machu Picchu to go to? Then I’ll just have to settle for some Peruvian roast chicken.
8 Free Airport Layover Tours: Explore Singapore’s Merlion and Gardens by the Bay
Did you know that many airports offer free city tours for transit passengers? These hidden gems not only help you kill long layover hours but also let you explore another country without spending much — a total win. Here are 8 free airport city tours compiled by the Kontan website:
Stroll through the Quyuan Fenghe and Su Causeway in Spring Dawn — Hangzhou’s West Lake has ten scenic spots you can’t explore in just two days
If you come to Hangzhou without walking around West Lake, you might as well not have come at all. This time, Xavier’s focus during his three-day free trip to Hangzhou was on the areas around West Lake. He covered eight of the old Ten Scenes of West Lake: Quyuan Fenghe, Su Causeway in Spring Dawn, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Broken Bridge in Snow, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow, and Orioles Singing in the Willows.
Soak in sand instead of water at Japan’s “Beppu Beach Sand Bath,” where you can gaze at the sea, unwind, and enjoy a sauna experience.
Located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Beppu is a renowned hot spring destination. In addition to traditional onsen bathing, visitors here can also enjoy one of Japan’s few “sand bath experiences.” Situated next to Beppu International Tourist Port, the “Beppu Beach Sand Bath” allows travelers to lie down and be completely buried in sand while enjoying a hot spring sand bath sauna. You can relax and feel the sea breeze from the endless ocean right in front of you — a truly unique experience for unwinding and letting go.
A magical hidden gem in the city!A large amount of driftwood has drifted into Taoyuan’s “art gallery without walls”
The 2017 Taoyuan International Driftwood Art Festival opened at the end of October, and since then, Fenghe Park has transformed into an “art gallery without walls.” Various driftwood creations have created a cinematic, fantastical atmosphere, unexpectedly becoming a popular photo spot for netizens. The Taoyuan International Driftwood Art Festival will run until November 12. Visitors can take the time to explore this “hidden driftwood wonderland in the city” and immerse themselves in the artistic vibe.
AirAsia’s Year-End 5 Million Ticket Sale – Book One-Way Flights to Sydney for NYE Starting at TWD 2,300 Next Year
The Asian low-cost airline AirAsia has launched its year-end promotion. From next Monday (11/13) at 00:00 until November 19, 2017, travelers can book flights departing between May 7, 2018, and January 31, 2019, at attractive early-bird prices. Deals include one-way flights from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur starting at TWD 1,188, one-way flights from Taipei to Cebu starting at TWD 1,300, and one-way flights via Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, Australia, starting at TWD 2,348 (all prices are before tax). A total of 5 million promotional tickets are available to help everyone plan their New Year’s Eve and Christmas trips in advance.
Decoding Costa neoRomantica’s “Cruise Daily Life” Beaches, Parties, and Endless Gourmet Delights
The Costa neoRomantica cruise ship, themed around the style of Milan, Italy, immerses you in the romantic ambiance of Italian architecture from the moment you step on board. The vessel is packed with entertainment facilities, including restaurants, bars, a wine bar, a cigar lounge, swimming pools, a spa, a gym, and duty-free shops. There’s also a KTV, a nightclub dance floor, and a casino, transforming the mode of transportation into more than just a means of getting around — it’s like the largest resort at sea.
Showcasing top-tier lifestyle aesthetics — Taipei Marriott Zhongcheng Plaza officially opens on 11/11
Located on the first and second floors of Taipei Marriott Hotel, “Zhongcheng Plaza” will officially open on November 11 after an ongoing tenant recruitment process. Unlike conventional department stores that focus on luxury goods, Zhongcheng Plaza emphasizes top-tier lifestyle aesthetics. The first floor features nine brand counters, while the second floor hosts four brands, including the popular grilled meat restaurant Hutong Yakitori No. 10, Qiyan No. 1 — the gold-medal new-style Sichuan and Hunan cuisine from Beitou Earth Hotel, as well as MUSEUM GARDEN, which directly delivers cultural and creative merchandise from the National Palace Museum.
Rich and spicy Southeast Asian flavors: Authentic Singaporean "Laksa" now available at Taipei Main Station
328 Katong Laksa – its rich and fiery delicious broth has always haunted my dreams. This favorite authentic Singaporean dish has finally made its way to Taiwan, settling in the Breeze Plaza on the second floor of Taipei Main Station. Now, you don’t have to fly all the way to Singapore to enjoy this mouthwatering laksa; you can savor this exclusive Southeast Asian flavor right here in Taipei.
Check off your dream list with romance: Your first hot air balloon ride to watch the dawn in Australia
Expedition adventures in the Sahara Desert, chasing the Northern Lights in the snowy Nordic countries, or romantically watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon—these are all bucket-list travel experiences. Among them, taking a hot air balloon ride is actually one of the easiest "check-off" options to start with. Book a flight to Melbourne, Australia right away, and let the stunning scenery of Victoria’s Yarra Valley take all your worries away.
Fly to Europe and the U.S. at Japanese prices with early-bird airline festival deals — round-trip to Paris from just 9,000 NTD
As the year-end approaches, worried that your annual leave is already used up? Why not start planning your 2018 trip now and take advantage of early-bird offers? Taiwan’s transcontinental routes to Europe and the U.S. are seeing fierce competition this year, and as the year draws to a close, Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines, and Asiana Airlines have launched ultra-low fare promotions such as round-trip Taiwan–Sydney flights starting from just 8,000 NTD and buy-one-get-one-free business class tickets, allowing travelers to fly to destinations in Europe and the U.S. at Northeast Asian prices and saving quite a bit of money.
Never go hungry in the middle of the night — Kaohsiung’s creative eatery “Chi Xia Mian” gives out bananas for free
As the weather gets colder, it’s easier to get the munchies. Next to the Minzu Overpass in Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, there’s a street-side stall called “Chi Xia Mian” that serves four creative flavors of fried instant noodles: original, satay, spicy green, and Thai style. They also sell drinks such as black tea and fresh milk tea. Open from 4:30 PM, Chi Xia Mian caters specifically to night owls. Not sure what to have for dinner or a late-night snack? Head to Chi Xia Mian.
The Michelin Guide prides itself on anonymity — secret inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five key criteria
The culinary bible, the Michelin Guide, is finally coming to Taiwan, with the Taipei Michelin Guide set to be published in March 2018. The most crucial aspect of publishing the guide lies with the inspectors responsible for evaluating restaurants. The Michelin Guide boasts anonymous evaluations, hence they are also known as mystery diners or secret inspectors.
Taiwan’s Luce Ristorante Hosts Pacific Rim’s Most Influential Michelin Three-Star Chef Fine Dining Experience Exceeds NT$10,000
Taiwan’s Luce Ristorante will hold the “Feast in Nature” event from December 1st to 3rd, inviting David Kinch, the most influential Michelin three-star chef in the Pacific Rim, to Taiwan. Together with Luce’s executive chef André Chiang, they will present a culinary tribute to the beauty that nature has bestowed upon Taiwan. The feast offers both lunch and dinner sittings at NT$12,500 + 10% service charge, with only six seatings available during the event period, each seating limited to 40 guests.
45th Anniversary – Buy a Large Share of Jiguang Xiangxiang Chicken and Get a Medium Share Free, Only on 11/24-26 & 12/1-3
Jiguang Xiangxiang Chicken is celebrating its 45th anniversary in November and will launch its biggest promotion of 2017 from November 24 to 26 and December 1 to 3. During these periods, purchase a large share of Xiangxiang Fried Chicken at any of the 38 stores nationwide and receive a free medium share exchange coupon.
Giant caramel pudding + a generous helping of red beans—pure indulgence for pudding lovers. A must-try shaved ice spot in Chiayi for all dessert enthusiasts.
This summer, southern Taiwan has seen a trend of oversized shaved ice servings, with many shops going all out to offer fresh fruit toppings in generous portions. Located in Chiayi, ZoneOne District, which opened just in May this year, has already attracted foodies with its massive watermelon-flavored snowflake ice made from a halved watermelon. Even though the peak fruit season has passed, the shop still has another signature item that’s worth trying no matter how cold it gets.
Hangzhou Travel Guide: Must-Visit Yuewang Temple & Catch the Impression West Lake Show "Impression of Hangzhou"
Yuewang Temple is actually a vast park-like complex that opens for ticket sales at 7 AM (tickets cost 25 RMB). Despite its large area and the presence of many visitors and tour groups, it never feels crowded. The must-see highlights include the solemn and towering statue of Yue Fei in the Zhonglie Shrine, Yue Fei’s tomb, and the nearby iron statues of kneeling traitors—scenes that were once only seen in textbooks and history books, but now can finally be witnessed in person.
Run away to the moon together!Capture romantic silhouette photos with Tainan’s “giant moon” — a new hotspot for couples
Tainan always has something new to offer. A few days ago, a double-decker British-style gashapon bus appeared on the streets. With nearly 7,000 gashapon capsules, there was even a chance to win a round-trip ticket to London, England. It created a buzz even before its official launch. After trying your luck with the gashapon, don’t leave just yet — remember to take a couple’s photo with the moon installation in front of Dayeh Takashimaya for some sweet memories.