Enjoy a great night in Taiwan

Along with night markets, Taiwan is known for many other activities at night. You will have a best ever night which you cannot feel in other countries. There is a lot to choose from, ensuring that most tastes are accommodated and most visitors will find something entertaining to see or do every evening. This includes a thriving nightclub scene, a variety of bars and pubs, cultural theatre, countless night markets and Taiwan’s favourite karaoke.

Drink tea at Maokong  

Maokong is well-known for its teahouses, to the point that locals come all the way up the mountains at midnight just to have a pot of oolong tea. Groups of friends often gather here to drink tea and have deep conversations until sunrise. Check out Shuang Hsiang Tea Garden and Yao Yue Teahouse which are open 24 hours.

Go singing in a karaoke joint

In Taiwan, you can sing your way through the night with your besties. Karaoke is without a doubt one of the most popular things to do when travelling to Taiwan. It does not matter young or old, friends or family, colleagues or a group of high school students. It is also very common for locals to celebrate birthdays or do farewell parties.

A variety of food and drinks can be ordered during the session. The usual rate is around US$11 per person for the first three hours, and then you can top up for more hours if needed.

Visit Shilin Night Market

Get to grips with Taiwanese grub at Shilin Night Market and be a part of the local crowd munching on skewered squid, grilled chicken hearts, stinky tofu, and oyster omelettes. When you have had your fill, be sure to wash it all down with a signature pearl milk tea. Find it every evening near MRT Jiantan Station.

See more:  Walk around in Taiwan’s night markets

Catch shrimps and enjoy it with beer

In the U.S., there are bowling alleys for nights out. In Taiwan, they have shrimping alleys instead and as odd as it sounds, it is becoming more and more popular. The concept is easy, grab a chair, rent a pole and some bait, catch your own shrimp and ten minutes later. You are enjoying your shrimp with a bottle of Taiwan Beer.

Most of the shrimping alleys are clustered around Shilin MRT Station. A popular 24-hour indoor shrimping arena is called ChuenCheng and it charges around US$12 per hour.

Go for a midnight ride on a motorbike

The Taiwanese usually meet up somewhere in the city to shop for snacks and drinks, then drive up the mountains together until they find a nice enough night view. Yangminshan and Jiananshan are the usual hangout spots.

Keep in mind that there are not many streetlights in the mountains and the roads can be quite steep, so if ever you get invited to one of these hangouts, enjoy but ride safe.

Source Internet

Let's go to Japan in this November

Have you ever thought of traveling to Japan in November? It's truly a great time to enjoy gorgeous autumn leaves at many locations as well as enjoy an onsen bath in upcoming winter. Here are the best places you should visit in Japan this November.

Obara, Aichi

If you are lucky enough to be in Japan's Chubu region during this blooming period, Achi Prefecture is a destination you should not miss. Located just a few hours away from Tokyo, this prefecture is home to one of Japan's most fascinating autumn event - the Obara Shikizakura Festival. The flowers begin to blossom at the end of October and are at their peak from mid-November through early December. The peak period varies somewhat from year to year. The small five-petaled blossoms are thought to indicate a cross between the mamezakura and edohigan species of cherry trees.

Gunma, Kanto

Known as the best place to enjoy onsen in Japan, Kusatsu onsen resort is very famous as one of the three major onsens in Japan. The unique bathing method of Jikanyu (timed bathing) and Yumomi (water beating) are customs that have been appeared since the Edo period. Moreover, the atmosphere of the resort is attractive with the Yubakate (hot water fields, a wooden facility for thermal moderation of the water) located at the center. This onsen resort is truly a representative of Japan.

Otaru, Hokkaido

This winter wonderland in Hokkaido is a port town that lures visitors with its beautiful architecture and long, picturesque canal that’s famously lined with Victorian-style gas lamps and stone buildings that once housed herring merchants but today serves as the home of shops and eateries. The Otaru canal, which is also opened for short cruises, happens to be the main venue for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, an event where local places for floating candles inside the canal, distributing some 15,000 snow candles and lanterns to light up the narrow pathways. The entire town has an unusual look to it, somewhat more Russian than Japanese, more industrial than bucolic, but still incredibly delightful, especially in its winter glory.

See more: Hakone, a peaceful place in Japan

Kawaguchi, Yamanashi

Lake Kawaguchi, or Kawaguchiko is the most popular tourist destination among Fuji 5 lakes. In this place, there is a festival called Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves held annually near the lake and featuring beautiful gorgeous autumn leaves and special events. Do not miss the chance to capture the best view of Kawaguchiko, autumn leaves, and Mt Fuji in this November.

Kyoto, Kansai

Visit Toufukuji in Kyoto this mid-November is perfect. The Toufukuji temple is a Buddhist temple which is also considered as one of the Kyoto Gozan (or “five great Zen temples of Kyoto”). The current garden in the area was designed by Mirei Shigemori back in the 1930s and has since been flocked by tourists during the autumn season. It has become a tradition for people to look at the beautiful autumn colors of the maple tree leaves from the Tsuuten-kyou bridge.

Source Internet

Top 10 highest buildings in Asia up to October 2018

Asia owns some of the highest buildings in the world, in fact, the famous Taipei 101 used to be the highest building in the past. Here is the top 10 highest buildings in Asia up to October 2018 which are also the popular destinations in their respective countries.

10. Landmark 81

Landmark 81 is a super-tall skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that was designed by the British design, engineering and consulting firm Atkins. The investor and primary developer for the project is Vinhomes, a Vietnamese corporation that is also the country's largest real-estate company. Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam, the tallest completed building in Southeast Asia as of July, 2018 and the 14th tallest building in the world.

9. International Commerce Centre

The International Commerce Centre is a 118-storey, 484 m (1,588 ft) commercial skyscraper completed in 2010 in West Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was the 4th tallest building in the world (third in Asia) when its construction was completed in 2010. Now, it is the world's 11th tallest building by height, world's fifth tallest building by number of floors, as well as the tallest building in Hong Kong.

8. Shanghai World Financial Center

The Shanghai World Financial Center is a supertall skyscraper located in the Pudong district of Shanghai. It is a mixed-use skyscraper, consisting of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and ground-floor shopping malls.

7. Taipei 101

The Taipei 101, formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center – is a landmark supertall skyscraper in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. The building was officially classified as the world's tallest in 2004, and remained such until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010.

6. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

The Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre (also called East Tower) is a 1,739-foot (530 m) tall mixed-use skyscraper in Guangzhou, Guangdong, which was completed in October 2016. It is the tallest completed building in Guangzhou, the third-tallest in China, and the seventh-tallest in the world.

5. Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower is a 123-floor, 555-metre (1,821 ft) supertall skyscraper located in Seoul, South Korea. It opened to the public on April 3, 2017 and is currently the tallest building in South Korea, and is the 5th tallest building in the world.

4. Ping An Finance Center

Ping An International Finance Centre is a 115-storey megatall skyscraper in Shenzhen, Guangdong. The building was commissioned by Ping An Insurance and designed by the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. It was completed in 2017, becoming the tallest building in Shenzhen, the 2nd tallest building in China and the 4th tallest building in the world.

3. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel

The Abraj Al-Bait is a government-owned megatall complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The central hotel tower, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, has the world's largest clock face and is the third-tallest building and fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

2. Shanghai Tower

The Shanghai Tower is a 632-metre (2,073 ft), 128-story megatall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. It shares the record (along with the Ping An Finance Center) of having the world's highest observation deck within a building or structure at 562 m, and the world's fastest elevators at a top speed of 20.5 metres per second (74 km/h; 46 mph). It is the world's second-tallest building by height to architectural top.

1. Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai, is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft) and a roof height of 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Khalifa has been the tallest structure and building in the world since its topping out in late 2008.

See more: Dubai’s Burj Khalifa: Inside the world’s tallest building

Source: wikipedia

How to prepare for Christmas

Christmas is the most awaited holiday each year, many people have preparations almost a month before. But preparation can prove to be the most confusing affair, especially if you have kids around. For this reason, it is always a smart move to prepare in advance so as to avoid the hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations.

Decorate your home, office, and yourself

As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas decorations will start to appear. The earlier you shop for decorations, the cheaper they will be. You may also use social media to find used and unique decorations as well as instructions on how to create your own. You may also decorate your food, your face, your clothes, or anything else you have permission to decorate.

Get your Christmas tree and decorate it

Christmas trees are synonymous with the season. Whether you go out and choose a real tree or get your plastic one from the basement, enjoy the annual tradition of decorating your tree with your family and friends. Themes can always be fun to let your creative juices flow.

Write a letter to Santa

Do not care how old you are. This will make you feel like a little kid again. Maybe a special someone will find it and get exactly what you want or need.

Create a gift list idea for other people

Receiving gifts on Christmas is only half the fun. The only thing better than the weeks leading up to Christmas is finding the perfect present for someone you love, whether it is a gag gift or a serious item that they have been needing for a while.

Watch a Christmas movie

There are many classic Christmas movies that you can stream online or watch on tv as many major networks will begin to show Christmas programming. You may also watch new release movies as Christmas time has some of the biggest and most anticipated movie openings of the year.

Organize a family party 

While many families may already have an annual tradition, make sure to send your invites early if this is the first year organizing a family Christmas. When creating your invite list, make sure that you are aware of any conflicts between family members or extended family to avoid any awkwardness. Depending on how many people you invite, be sure to create a menu for enough people and with plenty of recipes you can cook ahead of time.

Do a plan to travel around Asia

With ‘winter’ bringing the cool, sunny days on the beaches and powdery snow up north of the continent, there are limitless options for an unforgettable holiday.

Asia will be the ideal choice for tourists to feel the differences of Christmas between in West and East. In fact, there are many great places to travel in Asia at Christmas time such as Thailand, Cambodia, Bhutan, Hong Kong or Myanmar.

See more: Fun things to do in Singapore at Christmas

Source Internet

Shopping-spree in Dubai

Dubai is known as one of the biggest shopping centers in the world or a "shopping paradise". It's common to see shopaholics from every continent rush to Dubai to shop however they want.

1. Emirates Mall

Among the shopping centers, Emirates Mall stands out as one of the most spectacular architectures in the world. Emirates Mall has over 700 stores with mostly luxury high-end brands such as Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Armani, D&G, etc. Most consumers are from Europe, some are from Asia - mostly Japanese, the rest are Arabs. That explains the wealthy upper class coming to these high-end stores. Each tourist wander around the mall with at least one bag of a luxury brand.

2. Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall is also a favourite mall of the shopaholics as this place has over 2,200 luxury brand stores, which make it even more thrilling yet challenging to shop. Dubai Mall opens its doors from 10 a.m. to midnight daily. You don't have to pay to wander about, but certain attractions in the mall will charge admission.

3. Other Malls

On the other hand, there are also more "affordable" shopping malls in Dubai, such as Ibn Battuta - world's largest themed shopping mall with more than 270 shops, Festival City - a large residential, business and entertainment development, Deira City - the original flagship mall in the Majid Al Futtaim Properties portfolio, etc.

4. Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place at the start of the year and attracts thousands of tourists each year. During the festival, every major shopping mall starts discounting all kinds of items, from clothes, cosmetics, electric devices, vehicles, furnitures, etc. to even gold.

5.  Gold Shopping

Dubai people are generally extremely wealthy. That's how some "gold markets" were founded in the city as more and more rich people have demands over gold adornments. If tourists want to buy real gold, Gold Souk is the most highly recommended place to stop by. The government is really strict when it comes to the goods' authentication so tourists don't have to worry about "fake" gold. 

See more: 5 luxurious dishes only in Dubai

Source: wiki-travel.com.vn

Something to know before visiting Philippines

The Philippines is defined by its emerald rice fields, teeming megacities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo and smiling, happy-go-lucky people. Besides, its culture is enough interesting for us to find out and explore.

Life is better shared

Are you familiar with the Filipino drinking style? A bucket of six beers is ordered with one cup. The cup is filled, finished by one person, and then passed on to whoever’s next in the circle of friends. The underlying reason is to drink in unison so the buzz is uniform around the table, contradicting the American tradition of ordering your own personal beer. Why do anything alone of it is more enjoyable with someone beside you?

Respect the elders

If you see your “Lolo” or “Lola", it is mandatory that you bow down and lightly press the back of their hands to your forehead. No family, especially if thoroughbred Filipino, started out wealthier than they are now. Recognize, acknowledge, and thank your grandparents for their endless hard work that sprouted into the life we all so conveniently enjoy today.

Filipinos value traditions and culture

For Filipinos, traditions in their home and in their family are important. They usually set aside a specific day for a certain celebration like festivals, birthday parties, reunions, etc. And of course, every gathering is dedicated to keeping up with each other over sumptuous food.

Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations

Even as early as August, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls or in the restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many people shopping and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or second week of January.

Religious commitments come first

When in Indonesia, you will see Balinese present their offerings first thing in the morning, or employees dropping everything for prayer time. No matter what religion they uphold, Indonesians are generally very spiritual. They take their religious practices very seriously, and that is reflected in daily rituals, ceremonies, even the grandness of their places of worship.

Filipinos love to party

Filipinos love to hold celebrations and fiestas. Bacolod has its MassKara Festival, Davao has its Kadayawan Festival, and Marinduque has its Moriones Festival. There are also communal celebrations like a myriad of different ceremonies of harvest or thanksgiving, and special dates associated with legends or history.

Every place has a legend

It is fascinating to learn the geological processes that make mountains, hills, and rivers. But Indonesians go beyond tectonic plates and erosion to explain how natural landmarks came to be. In most places, you can talk to the locals and dig stories of gods, spirits, royals, or hermits that contribute to the forming of a particular spot like natural features, temples, or other cultural landmarks.

Source CultureTrip

Top 5 unique vehicles in the world

Buses, cabs, and trains might be too familiar with travelers. However, if you have a chance to visit Thailand, China or even Cuba, don't forget to experience in sitting on these most unique vehicles.

1. Tuk-tuk, Thailand

It practically as Thailand's national emblem, the humble tuk-tuk is at the heart of Thai people as well as visitors. These are little like the buzz of a spin around the Thai capital in one of these open-air and three-wheeled vehicles. The name "tuk-tuk" is from word "samlor", literally means "three wheels" and although riding in tuk-tuk can be described as more chaotic than comfortable, but it still a worth experience when traveling in Thailand.

2. Coco taxi, Cuba

Similar to the tuk-tuk, coco taxi is an auto rickshaw-type taxi vehicle in Cuba. The coco taxi is a yellow car with small dimensions, can be seen in big cities. The use of the coco taxi from Cuba began in Havana at the end of the 1990s. It was initially thought of as another way of transporting tourists. The coco taxi is mainly found in the cities of Havana, Varadero, and Trinidad.

3. Xích lô, Vietnam

Xích lô (or cyclo) was the most transportation means in Vietnam in the past, but now it is a representation of the Vietnamese way of life. In the past, cyclo was used as luxury transportation for French people in Vietnam and for a small number of Vietnamese noble at that time. People found that it was convenient for carrying up to 2 people and goods. It was cost effective and with its small size could fit perfectly on Vietnam city alleys and narrow streets.

4. Maglev train, China

Shanghai maglev train or Shanghai transrapid is a magnetic levitation train. Clean, green, quick and quiet are the best features of this maglev train. In addition, it is able to stop quickly and safely and glide off noiselessly on a cushion of air. Shanghai maglev train is currently the fastest train commercially operated in the world.

5. Camel, Dubai

Camels are known as the ship of the desert because of the ease at which they elegantly move across the desert sands. Getting out of the bustle of the Dubai city in the afternoon for this thrilling and amusing experience on an Arabian Desert Camel Safari. Ride on the traditional local "transport" - a camel, which is here called the God`s gift to the Bedouins. It`s a very calming experience.

Source Internet