Classic Itineraries
Hiker Attacked by Bear Rescued by Girlfriend’s Quick Thinking
When hiking or camping outdoors, encountering wildlife is inevitable. But what should you do if you’re suddenly under attack? A 26-year-old man from Germany recently went hiking in the Carpathian Mountains with his girlfriend when they unexpectedly came face-to-face with a 1.8-meter brown bear that attacked the couple, severely mauling the man’s calf. Fortunately, thanks to his girlfriend’s quick thinking, he survived.
Repair of the Daking No. 5-1 Hiking Trail
Taichung’s Daking area has long been known as the “Yangmingshan of Taichung,” and the Daking hiking trails are among the most popular mountain destinations. In mid-May, the Taichung City Tourism and Travel Bureau completed the full renovation of the No. 5-1 trail, enhancing overall safety and walking comfort. On the 19th, Lin Hsiao-chi, Director of the Taichung City Tourism and Travel Bureau, said that it is currently the season when the limited-blooming Dayellow flowers are in full bloom, making it also the best time to observe cicadas and butterflies.
Switzerland Tourism Boosts Independent Travelers, Promotes Hiking & Mountaineering Trips in Taiwan
Recognizing the potential of Taiwan’s independent travel market, Swiss Representative to Taiwan François Barras and Swiss National Tourist Office Taiwan Market Manager Beat Stähli jointly announced yesterday (the 20th) that they have invited Alana Cheng (Taiwanese-American) to be the first “Swiss Tourism Ambassador.” This move aims to increase market visibility and encourage more Taiwanese travel agencies to develop independent travel packages to Switzerland, thereby expanding Taiwan’s share in the global outbound tourism market.
The hiking trail No. 5-1 at Dakeng has been fully renovated; seasonal large yellow daylilies are in full bloom
The Dakeng area in Taichung City has long been known as the "Yangmingshan of Taichung," and the Dakeng hiking trails are among the most popular mountain destinations. In mid-May, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau completed the full renovation of Trail No. 5-1, significantly improving overall safety and walking comfort. Director Lin Hsiao-chi noted that it is currently the season when large yellow daylilies are in bloom, making it also the best time to observe cicadas and butterflies.
Bread found scattered on mountain trail—Netizens warn: Don’t pick it up!
When heading out for a holiday, some people choose to go hiking or trekking, which allows them to enjoy fresh forest air and get some exercise. It has become one of the most popular leisure activities in recent years. But if you see a pile of bread scattered on the ground while hiking, do not pick it up.
I’m the King of Hiking – Capture Scenic Views on the Spring Hike at Dakeng and Win Prizes
To promote the Dakeng hiking trails, the Taichung City Government has launched the "I’m the King of Hiking" event. Featuring renowned outdoor photographer Paul, who spent 12 hours capturing stunning views along the trails, and attractive female hikers appearing on the family-friendly Trails 6 and 7 as well as the leisurely Trails 5 and 5-1, the event encourages group hikes. Ecological experts and hiking enthusiasts have also named several Dakeng trails, and the public will be invited to vote for their favorite trail names.
Self-Drive Tour in Kyushu Ends Tragically for Female PhD Student
Four Taiwanese tourists were involved in a car accident while on a self-drive tour in Kyushu, Japan, on the 11th. The crash occurred when the vehicle failed to negotiate a turn and collided with a concrete wall, resulting in one fatality and two injuries among the passengers. The deceased was 27-year-old Xu Zihui, a PhD student in environmental education at Taiwan Normal University. The female driver, surnamed Yang, was arrested by Japanese police on suspicion of negligent homicide.
Is road tripping the ultimate freedom? 5 things to know about renting a car abroad
More and more people are choosing to travel overseas by car, as it allows them to avoid relying on public transport and gives them full control over their schedule, resulting in a liberating journey. However, there are potential risks involved in driving abroad, such as the car accident involving Taiwanese tourists in Kyushu, Japan, on the 11th. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when renting a car for travel abroad, reminding road-trippers to enjoy their journey while staying safe. 1. Get an international driver’s license
China-Vietnam Cross-Border Self-Drive Tour: Enjoy the Scenic Beauty of Mong Cai
Recently, the inauguration ceremony for the regular operation of the China–Vietnam Mong Cai cross-border self-drive tour was held in Dongxing City, Guangxi. Twenty self-driving vehicles from China and twenty from Vietnam set off simultaneously, embarking on journeys to explore tourist attractions in Mong Cai, Vietnam, and Dongxing, Guangxi, respectively. “I’ve been to Mong Cai, Vietnam, before, but this is my first time driving my own car in a foreign country — it’s really exciting,” Mr. Chen from Guilin happily told reporters on November 9. On that day, Mr. Chen became one of the first tourists to experience the China-Vietnam cross-border self-drive tour. That morning, at the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge at the Dongxing Port, the inauguration ceremony for the regular operation of the China Dongxing–Vietnam Mong Cai cross-border self-drive tour, jointly organized by the People’s Government of Dongxing City, China, and the People’s Committee of Mong Cai, Vietnam, took place. Twenty vehicles from each side lined up and slowly drove toward the border checkpoint.
RV road trips are booming, China to expand campgrounds
During holidays, Beijing’s Longwan International Camping Park is often packed with RVs. Families and friends gather around their vehicles for barbecues and chats, enjoying a relaxing outdoor lifestyle. But now, securing a spot requires scrambling—RV ownership is growing so fast that campgrounds can’t keep up. China plans to increase the number of RV campsites to 2,000 by 2020 to address the shortage of spaces for these vehicles. In China, road-tripping by car is nothing new, but an increasing number of people are opting for RVs (also called motorhomes or campervans) to explore the country. Beijing’s Longwan International Camping Park is the nation’s first five-star RV resort, featuring RV camping zones, lakeside tent areas, movable wooden cabins, villa-style wooden lodges, and a visitor service center. The Chinese market holds huge potential Similar to Longwan International Camping Park
China and Vietnam Launch Cross-Border Self-Drive Tours
Vietnam and mainland China launched cross-border self-drive tour activities yesterday, aiming to boost tourism development along their shared border. Vietnamese media reported today that, with the approval of senior leaders from both countries, a ceremony to mark the launch of cross-border self-drive tours between Mong Cai in Vietnam and Dongxing in mainland China was held at the border crossing yesterday. Two self-drive tour convoys—one from Vietnam and one from mainland China—traveled to their respective destinations to participate in the China-Vietnam International Trade and Tourism Expo. According to the agreement between the two sides, vehicles are permitted to enter the areas of Mong Cai City in Vietnam and Dongxing City in China, with a maximum stay of three days. Vehicles are not allowed to enter military zones on either side, and no more than 100 vehicles may cross the border per day. Mong Cai City, part of Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province, is located in the far northeast
Zhongshan–Macau Yacht Self-Drive Tour Successfully Completes Trial Voyage
Recently, the Shenzhenwan Port Yacht Marina conducted a trial inbound voyage for the Zhongshan–Macau yacht self-drive tour. A Macau-registered yacht, MAGICVALE, entered the Shenzhenwan Port Yacht Marina, becoming the first Macau-registered yacht to self-drive into the port. Customs officials from Zhongshan and other port authorities inspected the yacht and its 10 passengers, collected a security deposit, and then released them; the entire procedure took about 40 minutes. Previously, on October 25, the Shenzhenwan Port Yacht Marina had already carried out an outbound trial voyage, during which one Chinese-registered and one Macau-registered yacht departed from the port. Customs and other joint port inspection departments processed the exit formalities for the two yachts, along with 23 yacht service personnel and passengers, and the yachts successfully completed the trial voyage. Earlier this year, on August 26, the National Port Office of China approved the expansion and opening of the Zhongshan Port Area and Shenzhenwan Port Area of the Zhongshan Port.
Tiger attack case closed; Badaling Safari World resumes self-drive tours
The Badaling Wildlife Park, where a tiger attacked visitors who had left their vehicle a few days ago, has resumed self-drive tours in some areas of its beast zone and has installed electric fences. However, the Northeast Tiger Park remains closed to the public, and park authorities are further studying renovation measures. After the tiger mauling incident at Badaling Wildlife Park, the park reopened on August 25 following a one-month closure. At that time, the beast zone was still under renovation, and self-driving visitors had to switch to park shuttle vehicles to enter the beast area. Beijing Times reported today that the beast zone was renovated two weeks ago and self-drive tours were reopened a week ago. The report quoted a zoo official surnamed Cao as saying that to ensure visitor safety, the park has installed electric fences in beast zones such as the White Tiger Park and Bengal Tiger Park to separate the animals from visitors. In addition to broadcasting safety reminders, staff have also erected new safety signs within visible areas of the park.
Six People Love Self-Driving Adventures in Hidden Spots; RVs Become a Huge Hit
Buying a car to explore hidden spots around one’s city or embarking on a long road trip to fulfill a dream—self-driving tourism has emerged as a dark horse among travel options for mainlanders. The government has also partnered with multiple countries to promote cross-border tourism cooperation zones, further fueling the self-driving trend. Travel agency Tuniu.com analyzed that the number of independent travelers in 2015 increased 2.4 times compared to 2014, and RVs have accordingly surged in popularity, with used cars unexpectedly becoming a new favorite. Chinese media analysis suggests that for budget-conscious ordinary families, used cars offer better cost-performance than new ones. Some car enthusiasts have also put forward a uniquely Chinese perspective on buying used vehicles: “Better to buy an SUV (sport utility vehicle) than a sedan, and better to buy an imported car than a domestic one.” Young people prefer imported brands According to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in the first quarter of 2016, sales of commercial-travel models rose sharply, up more than 50 percent compared to the same period last year.
Car travel boom: Taiwanese driving tours take off
In May 2015, a group of 9 people from the Taiwan Self-Drive Tourism Association drove two vehicles onto the China-Orient Star, a direct cross-strait ferry, disembarking in Xiamen, Fujian, marking the first time Taiwanese drove to the mainland for self-drive tourism. This May, an estimated 20 vehicles are expected to make the trip, with destinations expanding from Fujian to Zhejiang. The trend of "Taiwanese cars entering Fujian" is heating up. Driving to the mainland for a holiday, gripping the steering wheel while traversing the vast land of China, has long been a dream for many Taiwanese. However, driving across requires legal basis. In 2014, the Maritime and Port Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications launched a trial program for roll-on/roll-off vessel transport and vehicle interchange between the two sides. It began with Taiwan’s Donglian Shipping Company’s cruise ship Lina, which on May 7 of that year carried one trailer (a non-powered trailer frame connected to a tractor) from Taipei Port to Pingtan Port in Fujian. Meanwhile, Xiamen’s Min-Tai Ferry Company’s China-Orient Star ferry transported four trailers from Xiamen Port to Keelung Port on September 5 of the same year. But it wasn’t until 2015 that Taiwanese citizens began driving to the mainland for self-drive tourism.
Daily ferry services available; even motorcycles can embark on self-drive tours to the mainland.
To drive to the mainland for a self-drive tour, taking a ferry is necessary. Currently, the three cross-strait ferries—Lina,海峡号 (Haixia), and 中远之星 (COSCO STAR)—operate daily sailings. They depart from Keelung, Taipei, and Taichung, heading to Pingtan in Fujian, Xiamen, and Taizhou’s Damaiyu in Zhejiang, respectively. The current round-trip transport fees are around NT$2,000 (New Taiwan Dollars, same below) for heavy motorcycles and under NT$20,000 for regular passenger cars. The three cross-strait passenger ferries have all successively carried Taiwanese passenger vehicles to the mainland for trial runs. From driving onto the ferry at the dock, securing the vehicle on the deck, to disembarking and entering ports on the mainland for travel, and then reversing the process on the return trip—not only have cars been tested multiple times with success, but heavy motorcycles have also proven no issue. In June 2015, 41 heavy motorcycles rode onto the Haixia ferry from Taipei Port, sailing to Pingtan in Fujian for a six-day tour. This marked the first time a fleet of Taiwanese heavy motorcycles took a ferry to Fujian for a self-drive tour. Just like cars, the vehicles drove onto the ship via the “ramp” connecting the dock and vessel, with staff helping secure them to the deck’s “tie-downs” to prevent swaying or tipping during the voyage.
Self-drive tours: Vehicle inspection is the biggest hurdle
Although Taiwanese citizens can now drive and take ferries to the mainland for self-drive tourism, issues such as vehicle inspections, associated fees, and deposits remain inconvenient barriers, and there are still challenges to overcome before self-drive tourism becomes routine. The biggest issue is that the vehicle inspection process takes seven days, which is very inconvenient. Li Hongliang said that although vehicles traveling to the mainland through the self-drive tourism association can currently undergo exit inspections via a special case procedure, which only takes one day and is very convenient, the general regulation still requires seven days. "Who would leave their vehicle parked at the port for seven days for no reason?"
Self-drive tours come with maintenance—driving from Taiwan to Fujian is now safer
The National Tourism Administration of China recently announced several new policies to make it more convenient for people from various provinces to visit Taiwan from Fujian. Cross-strait self-drive tourism associations have also signed an agreement, with each side selecting 10 premium self-drive routes to gradually promote self-drive tourism. Mainland China will provide exclusive maintenance and repair services for “Taiwan vehicles entering Fujian.” Industry insiders say both sides look forward to better development in self-drive tourism.
One year of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone: Deepening Tourism Integration between Fujian and Taiwan
China News Service reported on the 5th that the 12th Cross-Strait Tourism Expo opened today in Xiamen. Zheng Weirong, deputy director of the Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau, revealed that the Self-Drive Tourism Branch of the Fujian Tourism Association and the Taiwan Self-Drive Tourism Association will sign a cross-strait strategic cooperation agreement on self-drive tourism. Since May last year, when Taiwanese vehicles entered Fujian for the first time, self-drive tourism from Taiwan to Fujian has gradually become routine. Interviewed tourism industry professionals from both sides of the Strait believe that signing the cross-strait strategic cooperation agreement on self-drive tourism is a new achievement in deepening tourism integration between Fujian and Taiwan, and in promoting the open development of the tourism sector, one year after the establishment of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone was officially inaugurated on April 21 last year. The free trade zone, covering Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Pingtan, is characterized primarily by its focus on Taiwan, and has been granted a range of cross-strait people-benefiting policies and measures in areas such as opening up the tourism service sector and building Pingtan into an international tourism island.
Elderly Couple Embarks on Road Trip Across China, Realizes Dream and Publishes Book
The outside world is wonderful—the more you see, the more you want to explore. Luo Daoru, a 75-year-old from Zhejiang, and his 68-year-old wife Jiang Meiya spent three years driving across the country, documenting their road trip experiences in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in 350,000 words. Their book made them local internet celebrities, proving that even in the twilight of life, it’s never too late to chase dreams. Friends’ curiosity about their travel experiences inspired Luo to write a book. He penned nearly 350,000 words for “An Elderly Man at Seventy Drives a Geely Across China,” which includes chapters such as “Journey West,” “Voyage North,” and “Adventures South,” detailing trips to Xinjiang, Mohe in Heilongjiang, and Hainan. He is now working on a second travel book themed around Tibet, with over 50,000 words nearly complete. “I sigh that writing is more exhausting than driving.”