Classic Itineraries
Self-driving mainland tourists park illegally, angering locals
The number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting Thailand last year increased by nearly 71%, driving overall tourist arrivals in Thailand up by over 20%. As a result, Thailand’s transportation system has been put to the test—with airport arrivals overwhelmed and many self-driving mainland tourists flooding popular northern tourist cities, drawing the attention of the Thai government. Last year, Thailand set a record high of 29.9 million international tourist arrivals, including 7.9 million from mainland China. This figure also marks the highest number of arrivals from any single country or region in Asia excluding China itself. Foreign media pointed out that without the spending power of mainland tourists, Thailand’s economy would inevitably decline. However, while hoteliers and souvenir shop owners are rejoicing, Thailand’s airports and transportation infrastructure are under severe strain. Reports indicate that long queues at immigration and security checkpoints have become increasingly common at Bangkok’s two international airports.
Taiwan Self-Drive Vehicles Enter Fujian: Xiamen Simplifies Procedures
To facilitate the temporary entry of self-drive vehicles from Taiwan into Fujian via the Xiamen port, Xiamen Customs has streamlined administrative procedures. Taiwanese vehicle owners can now directly apply for record-filing with Xiamen Customs. When the vehicles enter or exit the country via roll-on/roll-off ships, the port customs will handle the inspection and clearance procedures for the vehicles, drivers, and agents. It was revealed that access via Fuzhou will be further opened in the future. China News Service reported that other simplified procedures include streamlining related record-filing requirements, such as not specifying a background color for record-filing photos and only collecting copies of various documents during the filing process. Before the reform, self-drive vehicles from Taiwan entering the mainland had to first obtain consent from a mainland receiving unit and apply to customs with approval documents from authorities such as the China National Tourism Administration. Only after approval could they enter the mainland. The process was not only cumbersome and time-consuming but also involved significant fees.
41 motorcycles enter Fujian via self-drive tour from Taiwan
41 heavy motorcycles rode onto the high-speed ferry "Haixia" at Taipei Port on the 29th and set sail for Pingtan, Fujian, kicking off a six-day travel itinerary. This marks the first time a fleet of Taiwanese heavy motorcycles has taken a ferry to Fujian for a self-drive tour. The "Haixia" ferry also hopes to help warm up the "Taiwan vehicles entering Fujian" self-drive tourism initiative. Motorcycles, sleek and eye-catching, arrived one after another at Taipei Port in the morning of the 29th, where they underwent customs inspections. Once the "Haixia" docked, the motorcycles entered the vessel’s lower cargo area one by one via the "tail ramp" that connects the dock and the ship. Staff assisted riders in securing each motorcycle to the deck’s "ground lashing points" to prevent shaking or tipping during the voyage. The Fujian-Taiwan High-Speed Ferry Branch stated that Fujian has begun piloting a program allowing general travelers and businesspeople to apply for "Taiwan vehicles entering Fujian" to enter the province via self-drive tours. The current opening of the Taiwan vehicle entry procedure is limited to residents of Taiwan traveling to Fujian Province only; other provinces have not yet been opened. That means vehicles can only move within Fujian Province. "Travelers will need to prepare the relevant vehicle documentation and personal driving credentials, then submit them to a customs broker to apply as general cargo exports. Once approved, it will take as little as seven working days to depart from either Taipei Port or Taichung Port on the 'Haixia,' arriving in Pingtan in about three hours," said Wang Yiyin, deputy general manager of the Taiwan branch of Fujian-Taiwan High-Speed Ferry. This program applies to all types of vehicles, including trucks, passenger cars, and large heavy motorcycles. Transport fees vary by vehicle type, ranging from 2,000 to 16,000 yuan round trip.
Two Taiwan-registered vehicles made their first-ever landing in Fujian, obtained temporary license plates, and hit the road. Two cars and six people underwent a briefing, written exam, and insurance payment on the spot to begin their self-driving tour.
Two Taiwanese cars arrived in Xiamen by ship on the 4th, affixed temporary license plates, and embarked on a self-driving journey through southwestern Fujian. This marks the first time Taiwan-registered sedans have landed on the mainland. Each car’s round-trip shipping fee was NT$20,000. The Cross-Strait Self-Driving Tourism Association is planning to bring 66 Taiwan-registered cars before the end of the year to realize the dream of driving from Taiwan to the mainland.
Self-drive tours from Jilin to North Korea reopened, boosting tourism
Recently, self-drive tours from Hunchun City in Jilin Province to North Korea resumed, coinciding with the May Day holiday, marking a peak period for Chinese residents traveling to North Korea by car. With the rise of international tourism in Northeast Asia, Jilin Province is leveraging the tourism industry to accelerate its integration into the Belt and Road Initiative. It is reported that since 2013, Northeast Asia has become the region with the highest number of tourist visits in Asia.
Preventing Everest Death Toll: Nepal Sets Barriers Against Novice Climbers
Climbing the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is a dream for many mountaineers. But from April to May this year, Everest witnessed a deadly surge in fatalities, with 11 climbers dead or missing—the highest casualty count in any single season. In response, the Nepalese government issued new regulations yesterday (14th), requiring all applicants for Everest climbing permits to have high-altitude mountaineering experience and verifiable training certifications, aiming to prevent inexperienced climbers from risking their lives.
Jackpot！Landscape Photographer Wins First Prize in National Geographic
The winners of the 2019 National Geographic Travel Photo Contest were announced at the end of June, with photographers from mainland China taking the spotlight. Chu Weimin (Thomas Chu), a post-90s photographer from Chongqing who taught himself photography, won both the overall grand prize and first place in the Cities category. Meanwhile, Li Huafeng from Shandong claimed the People category with his long-term focus on cave dwelling communities.
Outdoor leisure brands at Sunday Paradise go on clearance up to 80% off
(Sunday Paradise specially invited internet celebrities in outdoor hiking, Mao and Melissa the Mountain Girl, to appear at the event. Photo: Tseng Li-fang)
Taiwan travelers' favorite outdoor adventures abroad: White-water rafting & ziplining are all the rage
Taiwanese travelers’ interest in outdoor trips is on the rise. According to global booking giant Booking.com, 58% of Taiwanese travelers want to go on an outdoor trip this year. To cater to this trend, Booking.com has compiled a list of the top 5 overseas outdoor destinations favored by Taiwanese travelers and recommended local accommodations to help adventure enthusiasts embark on exciting journeys.
LV Exudes Masculine Charm: An Olfactory Adventure
Every man harbors a fearless curiosity for adventure, and the travel-spirited French luxury brand LOUIS VUITTON (abbreviated as LV) emphasizes that travel is a spiritual experience in itself. In addition to its 20-year-old publication, the “Travel Sketchbook,” which documents the travel stories of renowned artists and emerging talents, the brand also showcases the spirit of the modern traveler who blends urban life with outdoor exploration in its 2018 Early Fall collection designed by former Men’s Creative Director Kim Jones. Now, the brand continues this exploration of masculinity through the sense of smell. Creating 5 Unique Scents After launching its women’s fragrance line, master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud took a different creative approach...
Don’t let your shoes weigh you down on your travels—these high-performance sandals are even lighter than a can of cola!
As summer arrives, the already popular outdoor style has exploded in trend. TEVA has seized the moment to launch its latest 2018 Spring/Summer collection, continuing the design philosophy of Modern Outdoor by blending fashion with outdoor adventure—so you can stay stylish even on your outdoor trips!
"Department Store Stocks" See Spring Travel Business Opportunities, momo Shopping Website’s Outdoor Leisure Sales Surge by 30%
The Qingming holiday is approaching, and many people have already started planning their trips. Popular spring activities include traveling abroad, enjoying flowers and taking nature walks domestically, as well as having picnics and going camping. According to statistics from momo Shopping Website, operated by Fubon Media (8454), sales of outdoor leisure products have increased by approximately 30% compared to the same period last month over the past two weeks, with camping, picnicking, and travel gear being the best-selling items.
Outdoor-loving cat
Who says cats only love staying at home? In the U.S., there’s a white short-haired cat passionate about exploration who, over the past two years, has scaled mountains and explored waters with its owners, visiting more than 50 national parks across the country. Its adventurous tale has also inspired many American families to take their own felines on outdoor trips. ■While most pet cats seldom stray from the comforts of home, these so-called adventure cats are finding their way back into the wild. Vladimir loves adventure. Over the past two years, he and the Hoffmans
Yu Sheng’s MV shoot clashes with cold front and heavy rain; filming halts abruptly as bus turns into makeshift studio with passersby crashing the set
Yu Sheng hadn’t released any music works for quite some time. Previously, he tried his hand at lyric-writing for the first time for his self-produced travel reality show “The Coolest Backpacking Rookie,” and sang a duet with the band Shuang Yue Tuan. He mentioned wanting the MV to feature a storyline that matches the challenges of South America, and he and the director had chosen Buffalo Pit — an area with grand canyon and desert landscapes — as the shooting location. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, with continuous cold fronts and heavy rain in recent days, causing all the original filming plans to fall through. To keep the MV shoot on track despite the cold front, the team moved the filming location from outdoors to inside a bus, striving to convey the spirit of travel dreams and free-spirited adventure within a limited space. In the MV, you can see a high level of completeness in props and equipment. He revealed that many of the decorations inside the bus were mementos collected during past adventurous travels, including a surfboard, world map, acoustic guitar, African drum, and more. However, on the day of the shoot, while it was freezing cold outside, the atmosphere inside the bus was fiery hot. But because the exterior still looked like a regular bus, during filming, passersby frequently wandered in, trying to hop on, which was quite amusing.
Expert Insights – The Coolest and Most Fashionable New Urban Travel Experience: The New Wave of Outdoor Leisure – Diving
Michael Dower (1965) referred to people’s demand for leisure and recreation as the Fourth Wave, following the Industrial Revolution, the development of railways, and the development of automobiles. When a country’s per capita GDP reaches $5,000, consumer spending power continues to increase, and people's leisure needs evolve toward greater depth and diversified consumption, eventually leading to a new era of a national leisure economy. Mark Penn.MJ., in his 2008 book *Microtrends*, pointed out that microtrends are the hidden forces that drive major changes. At present, the outdoor leisure community is undoubtedly a microtrend force, and this trend shows signs of gradually evolving into a major industry in the future.
The most unexpected surprises are the best surprises of all—stationery meets travel for 3 Taipei blind trips you can take on a whim!
Summer vacation is here—plan a short trip for yourself and your loved ones. One of the most troublesome aspects of travel is itinerary planning. Eslite Bookstore launches the [Eslite Travel Festival], collaborating with emerging travel platform Blind Trip to combine the current hot keywords "stationery" and "travel," creating three styles of one-day Taipei tours: Writing Style, Collecting Style, and Visual Style. The itinerary is not revealed in advance, inviting participants to clear their minds and just go with the flow. Not only that, Eslite has also partnered with the cultural creative accommodation brand "Mannschaft" to offer readers exclusive check-in discounts—be sure to seize the opportunity before the end of August. Additionally, readers exploring southern Taiwan can visit the Bopiliao Branch to join the second anniversary celebration, where they can admire the traditional crafts showcased by "Sanhe Brick Kiln" and experience the fun of bricklaying! Over-planning an itinerary can kill the sense of freshness, but not planning at all makes people uneasy. The itineraries planned by Eslite Bookstore and the Blind Trip platform not only include lunch and afternoon tea, but also come with a uniquely styled “Blind Trip Bag” containing stationery worth around NT$600—such as the KOKUYO Measurement Field Notebook, Yaoki Ultra-Thin Recycled Stainless Steel Stationery Set, and Tombow Mini 12-Color Pencils. Fans of different stationery styles will receive different surprises, and during the trip, they can even use the stationery to complete assigned tasks, creating unforgettable memories while having fun!
High school graduates from Pingtung University of Education’s affiliated elementary school visit the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, showing concern for vegetative patients
The salty sea breeze brushing against their faces is the most beautiful memory of the Eluanbi Lighthouse. On the eve of graduation, sixth-grade students from Pingtung University of Education’s affiliated elementary school, led by their teacher Huang Shujuan, visited the Genesis Pingtung Branch. Using their eyes and feelings, they shared travel experiences, as if taking vegetative patients on a trip with them. After the visit, they donated all the receipts collected by the entire school faculty and students to help fund the daily care expenses of the residents. Teacher Huang Shujuan pointed out that these students had just finished their graduation trip and took advantage of the last outdoor lesson of their elementary school years to visit Genesis. Through their actual actions, they showed everyone how to learn to care for people in society who need help. Even with just a small amount of power, many things can be done. At the same time, they taught the students to take good care of themselves and cherish life. In addition to sharing travel diaries from the graduation trip, the students
Happy Sharing by a Sixth Grader: Taking a Trip with Vegetative Patients
The salty sea breeze brushing against their faces is the most beautiful memory of the Eluanbi Lighthouse. Before graduation, sixth-grade students from Yanping Elementary School were led by their homeroom teacher Huang Shujuan on a visit to the Chiayi Branch of the Eden Social Welfare Foundation. Using their eyes and feelings, the children shared how they could take a trip with vegetative patients. After the visit, they donated all the receipts collected from the entire school to help fund the daily care of the residents. Huang Shujuan pointed out that these students had just finished their graduation trip. Taking advantage of the last outdoor lesson of their elementary school years, she brought them to visit Eden. Through their actions, she showed everyone how to learn to care for people in society who need help. Even with just a small amount of power, one can do many things. At the same time, she taught the children to take care of themselves and cherish life. In addition to sharing travel diaries from the graduation trip, the students also showcased their talents...
The LeYouQu APP enriches the quality of life for seniors
Co-designed by the Institute for Information Industry’s Research and Development Division, a group of young designers, startups, and senior citizens, the LeYouQu APP — the first in Taiwan tailored specifically for seniors aged 55–65 and volunteers — was promoted through a lecture and exchange event held on the 25th by the Central Taiwan Joint Services Center at Nan Kai University of Technology, with the hope of encouraging seniors to download and use it.
Local Exploration – Guanghua Junior High School’s Light Travel by Bus
Tainan: Fifty 7th and 8th grade students from Guanghua Attached Junior High School planned a “light travel by bus” outdoor education trip during the summer vacation. They independently researched bus routes and transfer information, visiting both Tainan Airport and the National Museum of Taiwan Literature. Many of the students were riding a bus for the first time, changing their previous stereotypes about the inconvenience of public transportation.