Be a travel pioneer！Travel website reveals 10 emerging destinations for 2017

▲ Daegu, South Korea (Photo / taken from Wikipedia)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As the year comes to an end, it’s time to plan your overseas trips for next year as a reward for your hard work！Global travel search engineSkyscannerhas revealed the top ten emerging popular travel destinations for Taiwanese travelers in 2017—whether you're getting ready for the Lunar New Year holiday or planning to visit during other vacation breaks, these destinations hold great potential. Explore them before they become crowded hotspots.

This survey is based on the search data of Taiwanese users on the Skyscanner website or mobile app over the past three years, identifying the ten fastest-growing travel destinations. Among the newly released emerging hotspots,it can be seen that Asian destinations still hold strong appeal for Taiwanese travelers, with eight out of the ten located in Asia—including four in Japan, one more than last year.In addition, due to the influence of Korean dramas and the movie "Train to Busan," Daegu in South Korea has recently emerged as a popular spot. A closer look shows that travelers are starting to explore nearby Asian cities in depth, such as Hitachiomiya in Japan and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines—destinations that were previously less known.

Here are the top ten emerging popular travel destinations for 2017, as announced by Skyscanner:

1. Daegu, South Korea
Just under 3 hours by flight from Taoyuan Airport, it is located in the central-southern part of South Korea and is the country’s fourth-largest city. Compared to Seoul and Busan, Daegu is less crowded in terms of tourism, thus preserving much of its traditional Korean charm—such as the “Modern History Alley,” where you can see what Korea looked like a century ago. But Daegu knows how to balance tranquility and excitement—it's also home to the famous E-World amusement park, which not only features thrilling rides but also served as a filming location for many Korean dramas. Budget-conscious travelers can opt for low-cost airlines, and visitors enjoy a 90-day visa exemption upon entering South Korea.

2. Hitachiomiya, Japan
Located in the central-southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, Hitachiomiya boasts a thriving dairy farming industry and is home to Hitachi Seaside Park, famous for having some of the most beautiful flower fields in Japan. It is also where Ibaraki Airport is situated—just about an hour by train from Tokyo, making travel very convenient. Ibaraki offers many popular natural attractions in Japan, such as Kegon Falls—one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls, Mount Tsukuba which offers stunning views year-round, and Kasumigaura, Japan’s largest lake. However, there are currently no direct flights from Taiwan to Hitachiomiya—you’ll need to transfer via domestic flights or use Japan’s local transportation system. Nature lovers can plan their trip well in advance.

3. Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Located in the Palawan region of the Philippines, Puerto Princesa is known as the last ecological frontier of the country. Currently, the only direct options are chartered flights, though connecting flights are more frequent. The Philippine government has introduced an e-visa system for Taiwanese travelers, who can register online. The city is famed for its underground caves and rivers—visitors can explore the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and marvel at the countless uniquely shaped limestone caves. The city’s crocodile farm is also quite famous—the world’s largest crocodile was discovered here. For those less keen on seeing giant reptiles, there are also opportunities to take photos with newly hatched baby crocodiles. Aside from rare wildlife and exotic plants, Palawan’s Honda Bay offers some of the best water quality, making it a paradise for divers and fishing enthusiasts.

4. Sendai, Japan
Located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Sendai has long been a prosperous city and is the largest in Japan’s Tohoku region, connecting southern regions with Kanto and northern areas with Hokkaido. The city center is known for its beautiful sights like the Hirose River and the Zelkova Tree Avenue, and is celebrated as a modern city harmoniously integrated with nature. Sendai is also home to one of the Tohoku region’s four major festivals—the Sendai Tanabata Festival—which attracts large crowds of visitors every year and is very lively. After arriving directly in Sendai, travelers can use the newly opened Hokkaido Shinkansen to travel from Sendai through Aomori all the way to Hakodate in Hokkaido—a journey of about three hours—making it easy to plan a winter getaway.

▲ Canberra, Australia’s capital (Photo / taken from Canberra. Create your future)

5. Canberra, Australia
As Australia’s largest inland city, Canberra is not only known for its pleasant climate but also as a hub of world-renowned cultural landmarks, colonial-era villages, beautiful gardens, wineries, and artistic venues. Visitors can explore natural wonders such as Namadgi National Park, Jervis Bay, and the Australian Alps, or check out cultural spots like Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Gallery of Australia. Additionally, each season offers something special—the hot air balloon festival in autumn, the Fireside Festival in winter, and the flower festivals in spring—Canberra is worth savoring year-round. Due to the distance, there are no direct flights from Taiwan to Canberra; the shortest flight time with transfers is around 12 to 14 hours. Also, remember to apply for an Australian visa before departure.

6. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Located about 2,200 kilometers away, Kota Kinabalu is the sixth-largest city in Malaysia and the capital of Sabah—many visitors to Sabah make it a must-see destination！It takes roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes to fly directly from Taiwan, and the visa exemption allows for stays of up to 30 days, saving Taiwanese travelers plenty of hassle. In addition to sampling authentic Southeast Asian cuisine, you can explore buildings with a hint of Indian influence. But the biggest draw in Kota Kinabalu is definitely its water activities. With its beautiful seas and beaches, this city wins the hearts of many—and diving or snorkeling is a must to experience the stunning underwater world.

▲ View of the million-dollar night scene from Hakodate Ropeway. (Photo / by reporter Tsai Wen-chun)

7. Hakodate, Japan
Located in Hokkaido, Japan, Hakodate is the third-largest city in the region and situated at its southern tip. Surrounded by sea on three sides, Hakodate has a long history of flourishing fisheries, and since the end of the shogunate era, Western culture began to influence the area, leaving behind many valuable historical sites. The night view from Mount Hakodate is ranked among the world’s three best nightscapes, and with attractions like the famous Yachigashira Slope and the Gold Museum Warehouses, Hakodate is a city that many travelers find hard to leave. There are direct flights from Taiwan to Hakodate, and after arrival, you’ll need to take a bus to the city center or the streetcar station. With the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, traveling from Hakodate to the Tohoku region or even Tokyo is very convenient—though note that the line has not yet been extended to Sapporo.

8. Takamatsu, Japan
Takamatsu City is located in the northern part of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the gateway to the Shikoku region. Takamatsu boasts a convergence of rail, ferry, and airport transport, making it extremely convenient and thus a hub for politics, economy, and culture in the area. Although Takamatsu has many commercial aspects, it also retains many historical sites from the Edo period. Moreover, Takamatsu features the unique lava plateau of Yashima, where you can enjoy rare natural scenery found in few places around the world. There are currently direct flights from Taiwan to Takamatsu, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach.

▲Tianzi Mountain in Zhangjiajie. (Photo / Screenshot from Wikipedia)

9. Zhangjiajie, China
Zhangjiajie is located in the northwest of Hunan Province, China, and is renowned for its "three thousand towering peaks and eight hundred beautiful rivers." It is one of China’s most famous tourist destinations. The area is divided into regions such as Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain, Jinbianxi, and the Ten-Mile Gallery, each offering its own uniquely spectacular scenery. In addition to its breathtaking natural landscapes, Zhangjiajie also preserves a significant number of historical sites, allowing visitors to take a journey through time as if flipping through the pages of history. However, it is important to note that there are currently no direct flights from Taiwan, and visiting Zhangjiajie in winter may be affected by weather conditions, which could limit access to some attractions.

▲Croc’s Head Coast on Saipan Island. (Photo / Screenshot from Wikipedia)

10. Saipan Island, USA
Saipan Island, a U.S. territory in the Mariana Islands, is situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The island group enjoys a comfortable and pleasant climate with abundant sunshine year-round, making it a paradise for island travelers. Saipan is beloved by divers for its diverse terrain and crystal-clear waters, and is hailed as the world’s top diving destination. In addition to snorkeling and scuba diving, visitors can also enjoy fishing, surfing, helicopter rides, boat tours, jungle adventures, submarine trips, and parasailing. Since Saipan, like Guam, is a U.S. territory, travelers may need to apply for a U.S. visa if their journey involves a layover. Moreover, as there are no direct flights from Taiwan to Saipan, it is recommended to fly directly to Guam first to avoid the need for a visa.

▲Skyscanner, the global travel search engine, announced the top ten emerging popular travel destinations in 2017. (Photo / Provided by Skyscanner)