By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
After an exciting New Year’s celebration, the long nine-day Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner. Where do you most want to go on vacation? According to the newly released statistics on the top travel cities desired by Taiwanese people in 2012, the results 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 7-ELEVEN-affiliated “iQuestion online survey,” conducted a nationwide poll. The comprehensive evaluation selected the “Top 10 Most Desired Travel Cities by Taiwanese People in 2012.” Paris, Tokyo, and London became the top three travel destinations that Taiwanese people most wanted to visit in 2012.
The Olympics will be held in London this year, and the city has undergone a major transformation plan. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The eternal romantic city of Paris, the City of Light, known for its world-class art and cuisine, was ranked as the number one most desired travel destination in 2012. TRAVELER Luxe旅人志 emphasized that the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most iconic landmark, will be adorned with greenery at a cost of 72 million euros in 2012, transforming into an eco-pioneer through the most ambitious green tree project in history. Meanwhile, Tokyo—the most frequented destination by Taiwanese travelers—secured second place due to the much-anticipated opening of the Skytree in 2012. TRAVELER Luxe旅人志 noted that from the changes in the skyline to the transformation of major surface stations, Tokyo will showcase a completely different face to the world in 2012. As for London, gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, the city will invest £1.45 billion to inject new vitality, ranking third. At that time, London will welcome global travelers with the world’s only Olympic venue complex, Europe’s largest urban shopping mall, 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 “Cities with the Most Unique Appeal.” Taiwan itself, known for its culinary excellence, secured Taipei as the “World’s Most Delicious City,” beating rivals such as Hong Kong and Seoul. Auckland, the capital of New Zealand, was chosen as the “World’s Most Beautiful City” thanks to its natural landscapes. Dubai’s Burj Khalifa has replaced Taipei 101 as the tallest building in the world, making it the “World’s Tallest City” in people’s minds. Cairo, Egypt, with its profound historical and cultural heritage, became the travel city where you can “rely on ancestral legacy the most.” Additionally, New York, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil, were selected as the world’s “Most Desire-Satisfying City” and “Most Fun-Loving City,” respectively.
The birth of the Skytree will bring more changes to Tokyo. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Top 10 Most Desired Travel Cities by Taiwanese People in 2012
|
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 euros. 2. The Musée d'Orsay will get a makeover, with a café designed by Brazilian designers the Campana Brothers, creating a dreamy world full of “water” elements. 3. The Autolib free electric vehicle program: nearly 3,000 small electric vehicles, affectionately called “Bluecars,” available for rent at stations throughout the city, at a cost of €10 per day and €5 for every half hour thereafter—affordable and eco-friendly. Making Paris greener and more fun. |
| 2 | Tokyo |
1. The new landmark “Skytree” has been completed, featuring an observation deck, high-altitude restaurant, aquarium, and shopping street, drawing a new skyline for Tokyo. 2. The large-scale “TOKYO STATION CITY” station renovation project is set to be completed in autumn 2012. The most representative Marunouchi section of Tokyo Station, with its classic red-brick exterior, is expected to be restored by June 2012. 3. Uniqlo’s global flagship store in Ginza is set 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 at the end of 2011 in Kawasaki, near Tokyo, offering joyous childhood experiences for both adults and children. |
| 3 | London |
1. Europe’s largest shopping center, 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 offers tourists a sneak peek inside the Olympic construction site. 4. The ULTra personal rapid transit system, the world’s first commercialized light rail transit system, is now operational—no steering wheel or accelerator, just a computer-controlled touchscreen where you input your destination and arrive smoothly without worrying about traffic. 5. Low-energy consumption and new design—London’s latest 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 blends with the subsequent light show and the transparent illumination of the floating island, creating a highly fashionable atmosphere. 2. South Korea’s biggest annual shopping festival, the “2012 Korea Grand Sale,” kicked off on January 9, 2012, running for nearly two months. Over 21,000 merchants participated, including popular cosmetics and hair salons offering special deals, giving tourists plenty of great bargains. 3. Starting in March 2012, flights on the Songshan–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 taking on a new look while retaining its timeless and rich cultural heritage. |
| Seven | New York |
1. It is expected that by summer 2012, 10,000 bicycles will be available for use by residents and tourists. 2. A disused railway reborn！The High Line was fully completed in August 2011. Its ubiquitous landscaping offers charm all year round, featuring artworks, family play areas, and even preserved sections of the original railway tracks. Visitors can also enjoy unique views of Manhattan through large glass panels from a three-story-high observation deck. |
| Eight | Bangkok | Unaffected by earlier floods, Asiatique The Waterfront, a night-life themed destination, is set to open as planned in April 2012. Located on the site of Thailand’s first commercial port, the 22-acre area will be divided into four themed zones, including world cuisine restaurants, thousands of shops, a history museum, theaters, and luxurious ladyboy 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 build. Its futuristic exterior often surprises visitors accustomed to traditional Roman sights. The museum is full of fluidity and a sense of the future. Inside, it houses numerous contemporary artworks, such as photography, sculptures, installations, and multimedia interactives. Bathed in natural light and framed by large windows offering views of the classical cityscape, it presents a refreshingly different new face 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, “Halloween Festival Month” 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. |