Travel
So photogenic you won’t want to leave — 5 stunning mazes across Taiwan that’ll make you the star of your IG feed
Not sure where to go for the weekend? Hidden within city parks are many unique attractions you might not know about, such as green mazes crafted from low hedges or stone wall mazes nestled inside museums that showcase Taiwan’s cultural charm — both are highly Instagrammable and super fun. This article rounds up 5 of the most beautiful mazes across Taiwan that’ll max out your phone’s storage in no time and have you not wanting to leave once you step in.
Hidden Gem for Autumn Leaves Viewing Away from the Crowds: Top 3 Must-Visit Maple Spots in Ehime, Japan
With predictions from various Japanese autumn foliage forecast websites now being released, have you started planning your trip to enjoy the fall colors this year? If you want to avoid the crowds, why not head to Shikoku this time? Ehime Prefecture, known as the "Kingdom of Citrus," boasts many famous maple-viewing spots. Here are three must-visit locations for enjoying autumn leaves in Ehime. This autumn, embark on a momijigari (autumn leaf viewing) adventure combined with a relaxing hot spring experience.
New Year's in NYC for just $18,000 including tax!China Eastern Airlines cuts fuel surcharges;flights from Taiwan to Europe & the US at 40% off
Flights from Taiwan to Europe and the US or Canada are relatively expensive due to the long distances. To help travelers save, China Eastern Airlines has reduced fuel surcharges for flights from Taiwan to Europe, the US, and Canada starting September 18 this year — with discounts of up to 40%. The fuel surcharge for economy class tickets from Taiwan to Europe, the US, and Canada has been lowered from the original $145 to $85, saving travelers a full $60 round trip. This is great news for those planning to visit Europe or the US for the winter shopping season or New Year's celebrations.
Step into the retro scenes of "A Touch of Green" – Ride a sugarcane train and enjoy shaved ice at Chiayi Sugar Factory
Holding a bowl of red bean milk shaved ice, the nostalgic flavors transport you back to the golden age of Taiwan’s sugar industry. The Suantou Sugar Refinery Cultural Park, located in Liujiao Township, Chiayi County, was formerly known as the "Suantou Sugar Factory." During the Japanese colonial period, it was the third-largest sugar factory in Taiwan. Visitors can hop on a vintage sugarcane train and journey into a century of memories.
A real-life fairy-tale world: Portugal's magical castle "Pena Palace"
You absolutely can't miss this ultra-romantic and dreamy palace when visiting Portugal! Located in Sintra, near Lisbon, "Pena Palace" attracts many visitors with its strikingly vibrant colors, breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the entire town of Sintra, and its commanding hilltop location that stands proudly above the surrounding landscape.
Do poolside yoga with a view of the Eiffel Tower at Parisian Macao Tower Hotel & Residences – Sheraton Grand Macao invites besties for a luxurious getaway to Macau
Just under two hours from Taiwan, Macau is a highly popular travel destination for Taiwanese, and many choose to stay in upscale hotels to enjoy uninterrupted private getaways. The Sheraton Grand Macao, which boasts the largest number of rooms among all Sheraton properties worldwide, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this September by launching the “BFF Weekend Getaway” package, offering ladies the chance to indulge in a luxurious weekend in a presidential suite.
Don’t show up to find it closed—Taiwan’s most beautiful Taitung’s Duoliang Station to undergo renovations from October, with scenic viewpoint closed for 3 months
Renowned as Taiwan’s most picturesque train station, Taitung’s Duoliang Station attracts many travelers with its stunning boundless ocean views. However, to enhance tourism service quality and provide a more comfortable travel experience, improvement works on recreational facilities are scheduled to take place from October 1 to December 31 this year. During this period, the Duoliang Station viewpoint and surrounding facilities will be temporarily closed for three months—don’t make a trip only to find it shut.
Just two months after opening, Taichung’s Instagram-famous dessert spot “Whale Shark Ice Cream” has unexpectedly shut down
The seaside-themed ice cream shop “The Seaside,” which opened this summer in Taichung, quickly became an IG sensation with its dreamy ocean-inspired “Whale Shark Ice Cream.” However, the store suddenly announced on the evening of the 17th that it would close permanently, leaving many netizens who hadn’t yet visited shocked.
Taiwan Gourmands’ Hidden Gem:
The location is extremely hidden — it’s said even locals in Tainan can’t find it easily. This bakery only operates for four hours a day, committed to natural handmade production with no chemical additives. Supplies are limited daily, and people start queuing up even before it opens. Once it starts selling, everything sells out in minutes. Without a reservation, it’s almost impossible to get a taste.
The 2018 Shanghai Michelin Guide is released: Laobanbei and HeyMaMa by Jean-Georges retain one Michelin star
The 2018 Shanghai Michelin Guide was unveiled on the morning of September 20. There are two three-star restaurants in total—besides Tang Court, ULTRAVIOLET has been upgraded from two to three stars this year. The list of two-star restaurants remains unchanged apart from ULTRAVIOLET’s promotion, while four new restaurants have earned one star. Meanwhile, Laobanbei under the Ganbei Group and HeyMaMa by Jean-Georges under the Shin Yeh Group have both retained their Michelin one-star status.
The banquet hall on the fourth floor of Regent Taipei has been renovated and is inviting Prince of Oil Rice and LINE NOW for a cross-industry collaboration
After more than a month of renovation and remodeling, the banquet space on the fourth floor of Regent Hotel was officially completed on September 20. In addition to the redesigned space, it has also teamed up with Prince of Oil Rice to create a gift box featuring Golden Scallop and Cantonese-style Cured Meat Oil Rice, as well as collaborating with LINE NOW to launch a customized wedding sticker service.
The party pleaser dish: Fred’s signature "Dongpo Pork" that’ll have you polishing off two more bowls of rice!
This delicious Dongpo pork is super saucy and pairs perfectly with rice — so good you might just end up eating bowl after bowl and blow your diet. Tune in at 9 PM tonight to ETNEWS’s hunger-inducing live show "Rén Lái Fēng Hǎo Cài" (People Gone Wild for Delicious Food), where Chef Fred will be serving up his special Dongpo Pork. Why not learn how to make it and steal some of the chef’s culinary skills for yourself?
The eerie landscape restaurant on Yangmingshan Mountain: enjoy tea and meals with a white-clad hanging ghost
Driving from bustling Taipei up to Yangmingshan Mountain, you’ll pass by a strange place with a sign at the entrance that reads “Ghost Shop.” Around the surrounding woods, white-clad hanging ghosts can be seen floating through the air from time to time, making you feel as if you’ve been instantly transported back in time to a rural village of old. Judging only by the keywords at the shop’s entrance, you can tell this is a spot for night views and dining — the peculiar atmosphere is genuinely a bit spooky.
Disappointed by going to Hong Kong and "being so bored you end up sleeping in your hotel room"? Locals recommend hidden gems to redeem the city's reputation
On the 19th, ETNEWS News Cloud shared on its fan page a poll about the most disappointing travel destinations abroad, with Hong Kong’s "so boring you end up sleeping in your hotel room" taking the top spot. The news sparked heated discussion among netizens, and many Hong Kong locals as well as frequent travelers to the city stepped forward to defend it, stating that Hong Kong actually has plenty of fun things to offer. They also left comments recommending popular spots among locals and lesser-known but enjoyable attractions, unexpectedly turning the article into a hidden gem guide instead.
We've sorted it out for you right away!Three top European honeymoon destinations that are incredibly romantic
Europe is so vast—still can't decide where to go for your honeymoon? Come on~we've sorted out the following three spots for you, each brimming with romance you just can't resist. Go ahead and pick one!
Don’t miss out on these must-see “lights” around the world—you’ll regret it if you do!
Lyon, France’s third-largest city with a long history, once narrowly escaped the ravages of the European Black Death and the dangers of war. The people of Lyon transformed their gratitude into devotion to the Virgin Mary. For four days each December, they place candles in their windows, keeping them lit until dawn the next day.
Patience and luck at the ready: The incredibly dreamy "northern lights" at Iceland’s Kirkjufell
I was especially eager to see the northern lights over "Kirkjufell," so I stayed nearby for two nights. After effort and waiting, I finally managed to witness the Kirkjufell aurora display, accomplishing the main goal of my return trip to Iceland.
Hit the mountains to chase autumn foliage this week!The gradient leaves at Fushoushan Farm are looking stunning right now
Due to climate change, this year’s foliage isn’t as vibrant as in previous years, but it’s still worth a visit!Fushoushan Farm in central Taiwan boasts red leaf scenery comparable to Japan’s, with the famous Songlu area’s maple leaves continuously changing color. The official fan page reports that this week is expected to be the best viewing period—foliage chasers will need to move fast.
Hidden "afternoon tea gem" in Sanchi (Sanzhi)! Features a two-story book wall and a giant birdcage
Tired of the shallow bay in Sanchi? Head to the hillside Zhibai Art Village, where you’ll discover hidden afternoon tea spots. With more and more people who appreciate life moving into the area lately, it’s gaining a laid-back vibe — “Has Story Too Residence” is one such place.
The meat is piled on so generously—it’s over the top in the best way possible!! Taichung turkey slices with rice & squid mutton soup
Although turkey rice isn’t a local specialty of Taichung, I always find myself trying to track down that Chiayi flavor in Taichung—it’s quite funny, really. It may just look like a bowl of turkey rice, but once you leave Chiayi, the taste becomes completely different. The one I like the most right now is probably the [Authentic Turkey Rice] on Qingdao Road, recommended to me by a netizen from Chiayi.