Topology - Travel in Real Taiwan

30/10/2024

Travelers with nasal allergies will worry that when arriving in an unfamiliar environment, they may face unpredictable situations that could hinder their enjoyment of the trip. In this article, we would like to share how we cater to the needs of travelers with nasal allergies!

In the process of planning customized itineraries, we o...

20/09/2024

Taiwan is a top destination for traveling with children, but parents may worry about what they should prepare in advance. We've compiled FAQs from tour consultants to address these concerns.

If this is your first time traveling with children, Tai...

16/09/2024

Tomorrow is the Moon Festival! Today, I’d like to share how people in Taiwan celebrate this special occasion. If you’re traveling in Taiwan right now, you’re welcome to join in on these authentic experiences.

🌕🥓 Moon Festival: Taiwan's Time for Family and BBQ 🥓🌕
There’s a saying, “When the moon is full, so is the heart.” The Moon Festival is one of the most important family reunions in Taiwan. Families and friends gather to enjoy moon-gazing, savor mooncakes, and indulge in seasonal pomelos. In recent years, due to media and brand promotions, the festival has also become synonymous with BBQ gatherings. While many city dwellers head to BBQ restaurants due to limited space at home, in smaller towns, it’s common for families to set up BBQs in their yards or on balconies. The aroma of grilled food can fill the streets for days, sometimes even a week. Friendly locals might even invite you to join in on their family BBQ, offering a warm taste of Taiwan’s hospitality and joy.

🌕🥮 The Story of Mooncakes and the Allure of Salted Egg Yolk Pastries🥮🌕
Historically, mooncakes are linked to ancient wars, but today, they’re a beloved treat for everyone! Aside from the well-known pineapple cakes, salted egg yolk pastries (蛋黃酥) are a popular Moon Festival sweet in Taiwan. From award-winning bakers selling luxurious versions priced at over NT$100 each, to famous bakeries with mooncakes that sell out instantly, you can also find affordable salted egg yolk pastries at local bakeries. Even prisons produce and sell these pastries, helping inmates learn valuable skills for their future.

It’s easy to indulge during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself eating a little too much! Come immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture and experience daily life with us during your travels!

13/09/2024

December is a fantastic time to explore Taiwan! The weather is nice and cool, and the holiday vibe is all around. Whether you’re into lively festivals or peaceful natural spots, here’s a fun guide to the best things to do and what to keep in mind during this magical month.

Let’s explore the 6 best things to do and 3 friendly reminders that we would like to share with you.

December is a fantastic time to explore Taiwan! The wea...

11/09/2024

Taiwan, your top choice for the annual family vacation!
https://pse.is/6ewmn5

Ready for an unforgettable family trip? We have prepared a selection of incredibly exciting travel elements for you:

🤝 Connect with Locals – Learn from the people who know Taiwan best.
🌲 Explore the Nature – Hike, bike, and explore Taiwan's stunning landscapes.
🧋 Food! Food! Food! – Bubble tea, hot pot, soup dumplings, braised pork rice, and more delicious foods that both adults and kids will love are waiting for you.
🍵 Savor the Flavors of Tea – Taiwan's tea is renowned worldwide. Visit a tea plantation to learn about tea, experience tea picking, and discover the tea-making process.
🌍 Make Friends with the Indigenous Tribes – Discover the unique traditions of Taiwan's indigenous villages.
🎨 Immerse in the Local Culture – Experience rich traditions and vibrant local life.
👐 Make Traditional Crafts – Get hands-on with Taiwan's artisanal heritage.
⚡ Get a New Thrill – Experience excitement and adventure like never before.
Join us for a journey that blends adventure, culture, and cuisine into one amazing trip.

Book now and let Taiwan’s magic unfold! ✨https://pse.is/6ewmrp✨

06/09/2024

【 】The Rise of Taiwan’s Hand-Shaken Drinks: A Fun Journey from Bubble Tea to the Beverage Boom!

Which hand-shaken drink shop is your favorite? Can you share it with us?

During mealtime, you’ll find long lines at the beverage stores. Just how much do Taiwanese people love drinking beverages? How did these beverage shops become so popular? Let’s check it out.

🥤History: From Bubble Tea to Hand-Shaken Heaven
In the 1980s, Taiwan’s tea industry took a big turn. What was once a market focused on high-end, hot tea became a playground for creative cold drinks. Enter the bubble tea era! The innovation of drink-sealing machines and the rise of bubble tea shops transformed Taiwan’s beverage landscape into its thriving hub today.
Taiwan’s love for hand-shaken drinks is obvious, with people downing an incredible 11 billion cups annually.

🍹The Birth of Bubble Tea: Shaken, Not Stirred
In 1980, Chun Shui Tang’s founder, Liu Han-Jie, invented the bubble tea we love today by shaking hot tea, sugar, and ice in a cocktail shaker.
At the same time, in Tainan, Shuang Quan Tea’s founder, Zhang Fan-Shu, adapted cocktail techniques to tea, introducing his version of bubble tea. They both played a part in making bubble tea a Taiwanese icon.

🍵From Bubble Tea to the Hand-Shaken Era: How Did We Get Here?
As the 80s rolled into the 90s, bubble tea shops began multiplying. Stores started experimenting with various flavors and base teas like oolong and green tea, and even added milk, lemon, and honey for unique twists. By the 2000s, hand-shaken drink shops boomed, thanks in part to the invention of the sealing machine by Taiwanese innovator Yeh Yi-Fang.

🧠Fun Facts
· Bubble Tea Bonanza: Each year, Taiwan drinks a staggering 36,000 tons of tea
· Shop Stats: As of 2022, Taiwan has more beverage shops than convenience stores!
· Sealing Secrets: The drink-sealing machine, a Taiwanese invention, was a key player in the rise of portable hand-shaken beverages.

If you haven't tried one yet, in the next post, we'll teach you how to order hand-shaken drinks in Taiwan!!!

04/09/2024

Dreaming of an unforgettable trip to but not sure where to start? Download the sample itinerary right now! https://pse.is/6e94ta

Experience the incredible diversity of Taiwan, from stunning natural wonders like Sun Moon Lake and Yehliu Geopark to vibrant night markets filled with mouth-watering street food!

Our personalized tour ensures a seamless and enriching experience for you. Learn to make traditional Taiwanese snacks, explore ancient temples, and relax in hot springs—all tailored to your preferences.

📅 Contact us now to customize your perfect Taiwan getaway! Let's create memories that will last a lifetime.
https://pse.is/6dyqfp

02/09/2024

【 】Why does a travel agency have a herbal medicine cooker?

Our greatest sense of accomplishment comes from the trust our clients place in us. For some guests who have restrictions in mobility or diet, finding the necessary information online can be quite challenging. We are very grateful that they choose us and trust our professional planning. Through our accumulated experience, we help them enjoy a wonderful time in Taiwan with ease.

For instance, we prepared this herbal medicine stewing machine for a guest because an elderly family member needed to take Chinese medicine regularly. Hotels usually don’t have the equipment for this, so we provided an electric herbal stew pot, making it convenient for the guest to prepare medicine for the elderly family member. In addition, we took the guests to the herbal medicine lane near Longshan Temple in Wanhua, where they learned more about Taiwanese herbal ingredients. The guests acquired new knowledge and found it very rewarding!

We are also deeply moved by our guests’ filial piety! Preparing, cleaning, and soaking the herbal ingredients takes about an hour, and the stewing process can take from 1 to 5 hours. Thus, they often start stewing in the morning and can only have the medicine in the evening. We are always very happy to contribute our efforts, as we help solve difficulties encountered during their trip.

However, with more and more of such equipment in the office, it’s becoming a bit of a headache. It looks like we may need to consider moving to a larger office!

25/08/2024

【 】 IS CLAW MACHINE HEAVEN!

In Taiwan, claw machines can be found everywhere on the streets, with a density comparable to convenience stores. Claw machines are no longer limited to stuffed animals; nowadays, claw machine stores resemble supermarkets. You can find drinks, snacks, instant noodles, charging cables, trash cans—almost all kinds of daily necessities in claw machines.

If you want a snack, you don't need to buy it. Instead, you can go to a claw machine store and grab it yourself with NT$10. These stores are air-conditioned, and you can catch snacks, making this activity a new form of entertainment for both adults and children! If you catch too many snacks and can’t finish them, you can even exchange them with the store for frozen chicken nuggets, French fries, or steak!

There are tens of thousands of claw machine stores in Taiwan. The governor of the Central Bank even mentioned, “Due to the popularity of claw machines, the demand for NT$10 coins has increased!”

Some mothers often take their children to claw machine stores after school, “I give my child a bit of pocket money, and she will either ask the staff for help or give up on items that are too difficult to grab, which helps train her communication and decision-making skills.” Next time you visit Taiwan, challenge your claw machine skills!

P.S.: Do you also know the techniques used in the video?😝😝😝

23/08/2024

【 】Discover the Hidden Gem: -A Must-Visit for International Travelers (PART 3 - Final Episode)

As a daughter-in-law of Taitung, in the final part of this series, I highly recommend immersing yourself in the indigenous villages and cultures of Taitung. Taitung has 6 indigenous ethnic groups. Most of the indigenous villages in Taitung are located near the coast or in the mountains, with modern houses being the predominant type of architecture. Many people often ask me, "What can I experience in these villages?"

👍Have indigenous elders as your cooking instructors👍
Learn to make traditional indigenous dishes from the locals, like the Puyuma Tribe's famous rice dumpling, Abai! Wrapped in fragrant shell ginger leaves, it’s a festive dish filled with millet, glutinous rice, pumpkin, and pork—an essential delicacy for every celebration in the tribe.

👍Experience the traditional process of winemaking👍
In the past, the tribe’s glutinous rice wine was fermented using a special yeast made from traditional herbs. It's said that there were many taboos to observe before brewing, especially the importance of bringing a good mood to ensure a delicious result.

Come to Taitung, where the locals say the land is so "sticky" you might never want to leave! Start planning your trip now! https://reurl.cc/YqXldl

21/08/2024

【 】Discover the Hidden Gem: -A Must-Visit for International Travelers (PART 2)

Our guest stayed in Taitung for 5-days-4-nights. What fun things are there to do? Oh! Just the East Longitudinal Valley alone offers endless activities! Let's continue exploring today.

👍Cycling Through Endless Rice Fields👍

In Taitung, you can leisurely cycle through vast rice fields, soaking in the serene rural scenery and refreshing natural air. Each season brings its own unique beauty: In spring, newly planted rice seedlings mirror the clear blue sky in the flooded fields; in summer, the fields flourish into a sea of lush green; in autumn, during harvest, the landscape transforms into a stunning patchwork of golden and green hues, often considered the most beautiful time of the year; and in winter, after the harvest, farmers plant vibrant rapeseed flowers, blanketing the fields in a charming shade of yellow.

👍Taitung’s Annual International Balloon Festival in Summer👍

Every summer (late Jun to mid-August), Taitung hosts a International Balloon Festival, a stunning visual feast. During the festival, you can enjoy spectacular hot air balloon ascensions, participate in balloon experience activities, and even take a ride to gaze at Taitung’s magnificent natural scenery from above.

👍Sweet Fruits Picking Experience in Taitung👍

Taiwan boasts an abundance of delicious fruits, making fruit-picking a highly popular rural experience. Taitung is renowned for its diverse fruits, including dragon fruit, guava, mulberry, and the unique sugar apple (aka custard apple). Its sweet flavor is a favorite among many travelers. By participating in a fruit-picking activity, visitors not only get to harvest fruit directly from the orchard but also gain insights into local farming practices and the fruit’s growth process. To help travelers bring their harvest home, farmers will even teach you how to make fruit jams!

Come to Taitung and enjoy the fun of East Longitudinal Valley!
Start planning your trip now! https://reurl.cc/YqXldl
(To be continue)

19/08/2024

【 】Discover the Hidden Gem: -A Must-Visit for International Travelers (PART 1)

Taitung is a township located in the southeastern part of Taitung. Once regarded as a distant destination, it has consequently preserved its beautiful rift valley and coastal landscapes, as well as its rich indigenous culture.

Taitung may still be unfamiliar to international travelers, but believe us! This place has almost everything you love! On our recommendation, one of our guests visited Taitung this August and even extended their stay, spending a total of 5D4N there!

In the coming days, we will introduce this gem-like destination and share more reasons why it is a must-visit:

💙A color called "Taitung Blue" that can chase away Monday blues💙

The waters and skies of Taitung always present a deep and pristine blue. Taitung features beautiful coastlines, including the famous Sanxiantai with its Eight-Arch Bridge and the Shanyuan Beach, where the sea often displays a breathtaking deep blue. If you enjoy water activities, you can swim, kayak, or paddleboard amidst the blue. Nearby ports also offer fresh seafood, especially during the annual November season for marlin. Additionally, on clear days, the sky in Taitung reveals a captivating blue that seamlessly blends with the natural scenery to create the unique Taitung Blue.

Come to Taitung and experience the dreamlike embrace of Taitung Blue!
Start planning your trip now! https://reurl.cc/YqXldl

(To be continue)

16/08/2024

【 】Not Just Ghosts: The Warm and Welcoming Spirit of Taiwan’s Zhongyuan Festival

This Sunday (August 18th) is the Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival. So, what exactly is the Zhongyuan Festival?

The Zhongyuan Festival is an important holiday in Taiwan, celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. This entire month is known as the “Ghost Month.” According to legend, on the first day of the seventh lunar month, the gates of the underworld open, allowing departed souls to return to the human world to receive offerings from their families. On this day, people prepare elaborate offerings not only to pray for peace and good fortune for themselves and their ancestors but also to honor the "good brothers"—souls who have not received proper respect and care.

Traditional offerings include meat, rice, fruit, and paper money, while modern offerings often consist of instant noodles, canned goods, and snacks, which are placed at home entrances or temples for worship.

During this period, supermarkets become very busy, displaying large quantities of these products prominently. Some stores even offer pre-packaged Zhongyuan Festival items, making it easier for busy people to purchase, and there are even special packages for pets like cats and dogs.

One of the most unique aspects is that you might see items like basins, towels, toothbrushes, and toothpaste placed under the offering table. This is meant to allow the “good brothers” to freshen up before enjoying their meal.

In addition to the traditional offerings, many cities also have special Zhongyuan Festival activities. For example, in Keelung, there are water lantern releases, and in places like Toucheng in Yilan and Hengchun in Pingtung, there are exciting "搶孤" (抢孤) events, which are cultural experiences worth participating in.

So, the Zhongyuan Festival is not something to be afraid of; it actually embodies the kindness and warmth of Taiwanese people!

Are you interested in Taiwan's folk customs? In October, there's the once-every-four-years Burning of the King Boat event in Pingdong!
https://reurl.cc/bY2nmy

Start planning your trip now!
https://reurl.cc/YqXldl

18/10/2023

How do you accomplish daily tasks when you can't see?

International exchange students from the UK, USA, Belgium, and other countries wore blindfolds for almost the entire duration of the fragrance DIY course. They experienced that visual impairment is not just about not seeing or seeing unclearly, but also losing something that many take for granted - the "sense of direction." Thus, making a fragrance blindfolded isn't easy.

One of the most challenging tasks of the day was eating blindfolded... it was super difficult! If you're unaware of the type and placement of the dishes, it's really hard to figure out what you've eaten. You might miss grabbing the food, spill it, or even drop rice all over the table. With everyone's help, we all managed to have our lunch and create a fresh-scented fragrance spray. Most importantly, even though our "visions" and "languages" differed, kindness and the willingness to learn allowed us to become each other's guiding light.

當你看不到時，要如何達成生活中的任務?

來自英國、美國、比利時等國際交換生，調香DIY課程進行期間幾乎全程戴上眼罩體驗，感受視覺受損並非只是看不見或看不清楚，還會失去明眼人習以為常的──「方向感」，所以蒙眼調香不簡單。

本日最難任務之一 ，蒙眼吃飯⋯更是超難啊！
如果不知道菜色跟擺放位置⋯
實在很難搞清楚吃了些什麼，還可能夾不到菜，
或者打翻食物，甚至掉了滿桌子飯粒。
在每個夥伴的互相幫忙下，大家都順利吃到午餐，做出帶著清新氣息的調香噴霧
更重要的是，雖然「視界」不同，「語言」也不一樣， 但友善與學習的心意，依然可以讓我們成為彼此的光。

06/04/2023

𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘺, 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺! 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺!
​
𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹
＝𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵＝
꙳ Slow Food ​ Market
꙳ Talks
꙳ Natural Utensil Crafts
​
29-30 April, 2023
09:00-14:00
Forest Park
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As the sun rises from the horizon of the Pacific Ocean, the delicious warm breakfast permeates the air of all street corners in Taitung. The sun gradually lights up the mountain tops to greet the world. It’s time for breakfast.
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When it comes to the breakfast in Taitung, it’s never easy to explain in one sentence. The thriving multicultural backgrounds in Taitung – Hakka, Minan, Indigenous and many other ethnic groups, provide a vibrant variety of unique tastes. At this Taitung Slow Food Breakfast Feast, all can savor the “slow and yummy“ dishes prepared with Taitung local ingredients at one go!
#𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹