Paris, Tokyo, and London ranked as top travel destinations in 2012 for their appeal and transformations
By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
After the thrilling New Year’s festivities, the lengthy nine-day Lunar New Year holiday is imminent—where would you most like to vacation? The newly released 2012 statistics on the cities Taiwanese people most want to visit can serve as a reference. For the first time, the Taiwanese travel media outlet “MOOK Moleskine Publishing,” together with 《TRAVELER Luxe旅人志》 and the “iQuestion online survey” run by a 7-ELEVEN affiliate, conducted a nationwide survey and collectively selected the “Top 10 Most Desired Travel Destinations for Taiwanese in 2012.” Paris, Tokyo, and London emerged as the top three cities that Taiwanese people most want to visit in 2012.
The Olympics will be held in London this year, prompting a major transformation plan for the city. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The ever-romantic City of Light, Paris, known for its world-class art and cuisine, claimed the top spot as the most desired travel destination in 2012. 《TRAVELER Luxe旅人志》 highlights that the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most iconic landmark, will undergo a €72 million transformation in 2012—getting a green makeover to become an environmental pioneer through the most ambitious “green giant tree” project in history. Tokyo, a beloved destination for many Taiwanese travelers, secured second place thanks to the much-anticipated opening of the Skytree in 2012. 《TRAVELER Luxe旅人志》 notes that from changes to the skyline to the renovation of major ground-level stations, 2012 will unveil a completely new Tokyo. As for London, gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, the city is investing £1.45 billion to inject new vitality, ranking third. At that time, London will welcome global visitors with the world’s only Olympic venues, Europe’s largest urban shopping center Westfield Stratford City Mall, and the UK’s largest casino.
The Eiffel Tower will undergo a wild transformation in 2012. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
In addition, in this survey, Taiwanese people also voted for the “Most Unique Travel Cities.” They chose Taiwan itself as the “world’s best food city,” with Taipei beating rivals like Hong Kong and Seoul. Auckland, the capital of New Zealand, was selected as the “world’s most beautiful city” for its natural landscapes. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which has surpassed Taipei 101 as the world’s tallest building, was named the “world’s tallest city.” Cairo, Egypt, earned the title of the “most heritage-rich travel city” due to its deep historical and cultural legacy. Meanwhile, New York in the United States and São Paulo in Brazil were chosen as the world’s “most desire-satisfying city” and “most playful city,” respectively.
The birth of the Skytree will bring even more changes to Tokyo. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
2012 Top 10 Most Desired Travel Destinations for Taiwanese
|
Rank |
City | Must-Visit Reasons |
| 1 | Paris |
1. Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower is set to undergo a dramatic transformation, with plans to plant 600,000 green plants on the tower at a cost of €72 million. 2. The Musée d'Orsay will get a makeover, with its café transformed by Brazilian designers Campana Brothers into a dreamy world full of “water” elements. 3. The Autolib’ free electric vehicle program features nearly 3,000 small electric cars nicknamed “Bluecars” available for rent at stations across the city. With a daily rate of €10 and €5 every half hour thereafter, it’s an affordable and eco-friendly way to explore Paris. |
| 2 | Tokyo |
1. The new landmark “Skytree” has been completed, featuring an observation deck, high-altitude restaurant, aquarium, and shopping street, creating a new skyline for Tokyo. 2. The massive “TOKYO STATION CITY” station renovation project is set to be completed in autumn 2012, including the restoration of the classic red-brick Marunouchi section, one of the most representative parts of Tokyo Station, expected to be finished in June 2012. 3. Uniqlo’s global flagship store in Ginza is scheduled to open on March 16, 2012. This massive 12-story, 1,500 tsubo store will house the full range of Uniqlo products for men, women, children, and UT, serving as a hub for the brand’s spirit. 4. The Doraemon Museum, founded by the creator of Doraemon, Fujiko F. Fujio, opened in Kawasaki near Tokyo at the end of 2011, offering fun for both kids and adults. |
| 3 | London |
1. Europe’s largest shopping destination, Westfield Stratford City Mall, welcomes global Olympic visitors. 2. The London Olympic mascots Wenlock & Mandeville have become the hottest souvenirs worldwide. 3. The Daily Olympic Walk allows visitors a sneak peek inside the Olympic construction sites. 4. The ULTra personal rapid transit system, the world’s first commercialized light rail pod car service, is now operational. With no steering wheel or gas pedal, the system uses a touchscreen controlled by computer—just input your destination and arrive smoothly without traffic jams. 5. Low-emission and newly designed, London's new double-decker buses hit the road. |
|
Four |
Seoul |
1. The "Han River Artificial Floating Island" officially opened to tourists at the end of 2011. In the evening, the music from Banpo Bridge, the later light show, and the transparent lighting of the floating island combine to create a highly fashionable atmosphere. 2. Korea’s largest annual shopping festival, the “2012 Korea Grand Sale,” kicked off on January 9, 2012, lasting nearly two months. Over 21,000 retailers participated, including popular cosmetics and hair salons offering special deals, giving tourists plenty of great bargains. 3. Starting in March 2012, flights on the Seoul–Gimpo route commenced, forming a one-day fashion loop between Taipei and Seoul. |
| Five |
Singapore |
1. The world's first “Transformers 3D Battle” made a stunning debut at Universal Studios Singapore in December 2011. 2. Dine at Iggy’s, the top-ranked restaurant in the 2011/2012 Asia Michelin Guide, and enjoy world-class cuisine. |
| Six | Kyoto |
1. Japan’s largest inland aquarium is set to open in Kyoto on March 14, 2012. 2. The first Kyoto Marathon is also scheduled to start on March 11, 2012. The ancient city, filled with World Heritage Sites, is transforming with a new look, while still retaining its timeless and rich cultural essence. |
| Seven | New York |
1. It is expected that up to 10,000 bicycles will be available for use by citizens and tourists by summer 2012. 2. A disused railway reborn！The High Line was fully completed in August 2011. Its ubiquitous landscaping offers charm all year round, featuring art installations, family play areas, and even preserved sections of the original railway tracks. From a three-story observation deck with large glass panels, you can enjoy a unique view of the Manhattan streetscape. |
| Eight | Bangkok | Unaffected by earlier floods, the nightlife-themed Asiatique The Waterfront is set to officially open in April 2012 as planned. Built on the site of Thailand’s first commercial port, the 22-acre area has been transformed into four themed zones, including world cuisine restaurants, thousands of shops, a history museum, a theater, and glamorous cabaret shows. |
| Nine | Rome | Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid and opened in April 2010, the MAXXI – National Museum of the 21st Century Arts took ten years to complete. Its avant-garde exterior often surprises visitors accustomed to traditional Roman sights, exuding a sense of fluidity and futurism. The museum houses numerous contemporary artworks, such as photography, sculpture, installations, and multimedia interactives. Bathed in natural light and framed by large windows offering views of the classical cityscape, it presents a refreshingly different side of Rome. |
| Ten | Hong Kong | The Hong Kong Tourism Board has planned a series of major events for 2012. From June to August, the “Hong Kong Summer Spectacular” is perfect for discount shopping, along with family-friendly activities like the “Dragon Boat Carnival.” From September to October, the “Halloween Festival” features exclusive events at Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland. Additionally, the annual “WinterFest,” from November to January, captures the festive spirit of Christmas, or you can join the locals in wild New Year’s Eve countdowns on the streets. |
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