Travel
Don’t miss out on the stunning views of Gaomei Wetlands—boardwalks to close for repairs starting the 6th
Taichung’s Gaomei Wetlands has been ranked by foreign websites as “a must-visit wonder at least once in a lifetime,” attracting up to 100,000 visitors monthly. Its rich wetland ecology and dreamy sunsets have made it a hotspot for travelers from around the world. Recently, the newly completed visitor center, spanning 8.4 hectares, is now finished. The city government announced that it is currently seeking tenants and plans to open to the public next year.
Keelung’s “Stroll Hand-Drawn Map” Launches 10 Must-Do Routes — Explore Taiwan’s Most Romantic Rainy City on Foot
There are many ways to travel, but in recent years, “hiking” has become a favorite among adventurers. This year, the Keelung City Government launched the “Stroll | Keelung” leisure hand-drawn map, featuring 10 themed classic routes. With this map in hand, travelers can set off spontaneously, wander through Keelung’s alleys, and discover a whole new side of the city you never knew existed.
Let you soak in hot springs with peace of mind! Taitung announces “32 hot spring sites with qualified water quality”
As the weather turns a bit cooler, it’s the perfect season for soaking in hot springs. To ensure travelers can enjoy their soak with peace of mind, the Taitung County Government recently announced 32 hot spring sites that have passed water quality inspections, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy a rejuvenating hot spring experience during their winter trip to Taitung.
Winter Travel Feast: Celebrate the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Winter can be called the exclusive travel season for China's northeast. If you want to play in the snow and enjoy snowy landscapes with high quality and on a grand scale, the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival — known as "the world's largest ice and snow carnival" — from late December to February 2018 is definitely your top choice. Take this opportunity to follow Phoenix Tourism into the northeast to revel in the festivities, and while you're there, explore the beautiful winter snowy scenery of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, along with their historic relics and charm full of legendary stories.
Taichung’s “Forget-Worry Bus” is here as the rice fields turn golden yellow again this autumn—don’t miss it if you did last year!
The best remedy for a troubled mind is to go traveling. In Wai-pu, Taichung, the Forget-Worry Valley transforms into a breathtaking sight each year when the second rice harvest ripens, with plump ears of rice stretching endlessly into a vast golden sea. This attracts countless visitors, and last November, it gained even more fame when a film production team placed an abandoned school bus right in the center. Now that autumn has returned, that magnificent golden landscape is alive once again!
Early bird pre-sale for a luxurious cruise experience on the 2018 Majestic Princess
The Majestic Princess, which was newly launched in 2017, can be considered the first cruise ship designed specifically for the Chinese market. Over 80% of its cabins feature balconies, and it also has two restaurants with exclusive dinner menus created by Michelin-starred chefs. Well-known Taiwanese beverages have also made their way into this floating luxury resort, adding a distinct Taiwanese flavor.
The Michelin Guide to Taipei is currently under evaluation and will be released next March. Other versions may be introduced in the future.
The culinary bible, the Michelin Guide, officially announced its arrival in Taiwan today (6th). The Michelin Guide Taipei is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2018 (after the Lunar New Year, likely in March), making Taiwan the 30th country or region worldwide to have a Michelin Guide. In addition to the Michelin Guide Taipei, Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin Guides, stated that the focus is currently on the Taipei edition, but he remains optimistic about the potential release of Michelin Guides for other cities in Taiwan.
Taichung’s newly opened roast duck restaurant using longan wood-fired grilling can be served 11 ways!
Taichung now has a new longan wood-fired roast duck spot — it’s called Firewood Flame Roast Duck Restaurant. The owner flew to mainland China to learn the Peking duck roasting technique from Quanjude, as well as Sichuan cuisine, and after returning to Taiwan, opened this restaurant in Taichung. It specializes in longan wood-fired Yilan cherry ducks, along with a variety of Shanghai, Jiangsu-Zhejiang, and Sichuan dishes. Being able to enjoy so many different regional specialties in one place is the biggest highlight of this Golden Brick Firewood Flame Roast Duck restaurant.
A Winter Wonderland: Skiing Experiences in Japan and Korea
Want to experience the enchanting charm of a world blanketed in silver-white snow? Traveling to Japan or Korea allows you to reach your destination in just a few hours without enduring long journeys. Choosing to depart in the heart of winter offers the chance to witness stunning snowy landscapes that are hard to find in Taiwan. To fulfill travelers' desires for an up-close encounter with snow, Five Blessings Travel has launched several Japan and Korea tour packages, ensuring that no matter which country or region you visit, you can personally immerse yourself in the charm of a snowy wonderland.
Ultra-Evil Late-Night Diner Alert: Chiayi’s Cuban Sandwich Shop Makes Free “Sandwich Towers”
Inspired by the hit show Chef’s Table: BBQ, Taiwanese foodies have developed a craving for Cuban sandwiches. Located in downtown Chiayi, a new Cuban sandwich specialty shop opened in early April this year. The shop features an industrial-style takeout design with just six seats for dine-in, which are often packed. A unique offering: the shop provides a complimentary service to stack your sandwich into a “sandwich tower.”
Observations on Taiwanese Travelers Visiting Japan – Huang Yuyun: FIT Travelers on the Rise, In-depth Tourism Becomes a New Trend
Japan is one of the top overseas travel destinations for Taiwanese travelers. In 2016 alone, 4.16 million Taiwanese visited Japan, and according to statistics from the Japan National Tourism Organization, 78% of Taiwanese have traveled to Japan more than once. Huang Yuyun, General Manager of RiMeng International Business Co., Ltd., analyzed that with low-cost airlines continuously opening new routes between Taiwan and Japan, the number of FIT (free independent traveler) visitors from Taiwan has significantly increased. Traveling to less crowded rural areas for in-depth experiences has also become a new trend among Taiwanese tourists visiting Japan.
Japan’s most beautiful hidden gems in the Tohoku region – Must-visit winter destinations
The Tohoku region is known as home to some of Japan’s most stunning hidden gems. It boasts the world’s most beautiful stream, “Oirase Gorge,” the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Chuson-ji Temple,” one of Japan’s Three Great Views, “Matsushima Bay,” and the uniquely spectacular winter phenomenon of “juhyo” (frost-covered trees) on Mount Zao’s ice fields in Yamagata Prefecture. Whether you’re soaking in hot springs or taking in the breathtaking scenery, it’s a trip that’s truly worth every penny.
Weekend Getaway Guide: Hsinchu Hidden Gems, Scenic Restaurants & Night Views
Why does Manfen love visiting Hsinchu so much? Because Hsinchu is bursting with hidden scenic spots galore. Countless delicious eats, romantic scenic restaurants, and stunning night views await, not to mention seasonal sights that are only available at certain times of the year — a must-visit for any travel lover who enjoys taking beautiful photos. One day trip isn’t enough — go for two or even three days to capture all the beautiful sights and photo spots.
Taichung’s “Chinese Medicine Shop”-Style Crispy Chicken Joint Serves Fried Glutinous Rice Balls Too!
I got triggered by someone in a group chat—this place, “Hong Family Revitalizing Hall Crispy Chicken,” has such a hilarious exterior; it literally looks like a traditional Chinese medicine shop. Actually, someone had promised to come with me before but stood me up, which left me pretty annoyed. That day, since I was having dinner nearby, I decided to swing by “Hong Family Revitalizing Hall Crispy Chicken” on my way back.
Rediscover Ancient Civilizations: A Journey Through Egypt’s World Heritage Sites
The mysterious ancient legends of Egypt and its magnificent structures such as pyramids and temples continue to captivate many travelers. Even after the passage of time, leaving behind weathered traces and imprints of history and culture, it remains well worth a visit. Phoenix Travel has specially crafted various tour packages, combining world heritage sites and admission tickets to multiple attractions, and arranging riverside outside cabins on cruise ships, to explore the world’s treasures and cultural heritage with you, enriching your travel experience.
Year-End Spectacular: 2017 Taoyuan Arena Travel Expo – The Lowest Prices on Domestic and International Travel
The 2017 Taoyuan Arena Travel Expo kicks off with a bang from December 1st to 4th at the Taoyuan Arena Stadium. To tackle year-end clearance sales and prepare for the upcoming (2018) holiday season, a joint promotion featuring domestic and international travel packages, hotels, homestays, and theme parks is slashing prices—grab your chance to travel abroad for the Spring Festival at unbeatable rates now.
At the Snail Alley at the break of 10 a.m., fall in love at a slow pace with old Tainan
Taiwanese literary writer Yeh Shih-tao once said, “Tainan is a place where people can dream, work, fall in love, get married, and live life at ease.” Many of those dreams and lives unfold in the city’s alleys. Tainan has countless crisscrossing lanes, and Snail Alley is one of them. To be honest, there isn’t much that sets this alley apart from the ones where most Tainan residents live—but that’s precisely what makes it representative of a certain era of Tainan life, a slice of the everyday memories of its people.
Norway has fairytale-like colorful wooden houses The reflections by the harbor at night are even more beautiful
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, which flourished in the 12th century through the trade of dried cod. The most famous and renowned tourist attraction in Bergen is Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A row of colorful wooden houses lined up along the harbor looks just like cottages from a fairytale world, and they look even more beautiful under the lights at night.
A casual snack walk in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District: Simple oil rice and black sugar shaved ice!
Guling Oil Rice is a fairly clean little shop. The rice grains in the oil rice are a bit soft for my taste, but the flavor is quite simple and genuine. The dry wontons are served with sesame sauce—an unexpectedly good flavor combination. The wontons are springy and smooth, with a solid meat filling; overall, not bad. The bone meat soup comes with garlic-flavored oil paste, which is worth trying. Jianzhong Black Sugar Shaved Ice allows one free refill of ice and syrup per person for dine-in.
100% Kawaii Korean style: Banqiao’s new Insta-worthy café features “poolside seating”
Korean-inspired trends have been sweeping Taiwan lately, and more cafés are being designed with Korean aesthetics as their benchmark. “Cafe-Show the Color,” which just opened in Banqiao in October, has instantly become a hot new spot flooding Instagram feeds. With poolside seating, neon light strips, marble elements…, its aesthetically pleasing decor gives off an instant Seoul vibe.