The best ecotourists destinations in Taiwan

Known as the beautiful island or Ilha Formosa, Taiwan is a region of many natural wonders. So it’s no surprise that the local tourism board is doing its best to promote it as the perfect ecotourism destination.

Yangmingshan National Park

As the most easily accessed of Taiwan’s parks, Yangmingshan is one of the most popular destinations for tourists staying in Taipei. It’s just a short bus ride out of the city and is home to hot springs, lush countryside, and a geothermal scenic area where you can witness steam rise from the ground. The park is also home to endless hiking trails and some incredible natural scenery. It’s well worth a visit even if you’re only in the city for a weekend.

Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park Taroko National Park is perhaps Taiwan’s most famous national park and is a source of immense local pride. Located in Hualien County, the park is a regular stop for the thousands of organized tours that make their way around the island each year. The park features marble-walled canyons and over half of Taiwan’s animal and plant species. Grottos, scenic bridges, mountainside temples, cliffs, and waterfalls, Taroko National Park is a photographer’s dream and easily Taiwan’s number one tourist attraction.

Shuiyang Forest

Speaking of the dreamy Shuiyang Forest, many describe it as “fallen heaven.” In fact, it is a landslide dam caused by the devastating 921 Earthquake back in 1999. Shuiyang Forest is located within the Sun Link Sea Forest Park. Due to its remote location, it is advised to go on a two-day trip and camp by the forest. To arrive here, there are two routes you should familiarize yourself with, both leaving from the Renting entrance, but the forest road is relatively smooth. As you are spending a night or two here, carrying heavy types of equipment on your back is unavoidable — take the route that is not beyond your physical limits.

Kenting National Park

To many people in Taiwan, Kenting is the ultimate local beach destination and with good reason. Its many beautiful and sometimes deserted beaches are some of the best in Taiwan, but the park is much more than a few stretches of golden sand. Kenting, commonly known as Kenting National Park is at the extreme southern tip of Taiwan. Located on the Hengchun Peninsula of Pingtung Count, it is famous for its beautiful beaches and lush vegetation, and plenty of different corals.

See more: Visit Kenting, the southernmost of Taiwan

Yehliu Geopark

Another destination that is just outside of the capital, Yehliu is easily accessed by public bus or even a private tour. The Geopark boasts some truly amazing rock formations that make for some excellent photo opportunities. Make sure though to visit during the week as at the weekend, and on public holidays, the place can get very busy.

Tianlao Moon World

Tianliao Moon World is a tract of barren land between Chongde Village and Gutin Village of Tianliao District. It has a dreary and desolate beauty of the desert and is famous for its similarity to the landscape of the Moon surface. The Badlands, as some call it, resembles a moonscape, albeit with a few trees scattered throughout the area, and it really is a place that you have to see for yourself to truly appreciate.

Source Internet

6 noodle dishes you should try in Penang

The noodles in Penang are renowned in Asia as some of the best. Although there are plenty of other good reasons to visit the big island in Malaysia, the foods attract attention and admiration from people all over the world.

Char Kway Teow

You'll encounter this heavy, filling noodle dish under many spellings such as "char koay" or just "kway teow."

As the name implies, the noodles have a deliberately charred and slightly burned aroma that comes from the wok. Kway teow was once the dish of choice for poor laborers who needed a filling meal to keep them going. The dish is usually prepared with pork fat, fish cake, egg, and prawns.

Hokkien Mee

Named after the Chinese immigrants to Penang, Hokkien mee (sometimes spelled "mie") often contains barbecued pork sliced into thin strips, prawns, shallots, and a fish-based chili paste. Yellow egg noodles are mixed with rice vermicelli.

The version of Hokkien mee in Penang differs a little from other places because it is spicier. The hearty broth is made from pork bones and shrimp shells.

Penang Laksa

Laksa is a famous dish celebrated throughout Southeast Asia, however, Penang has put a special twist on it. A little fishy and seasoned with lemongrass, ginger, and mint, Penang's take on laksa is a unique taste that you'll never forget.

Penang laksa is a variant of asam laksa — both are slightly sour thanks to sour mangosteen fruit — rather than sweet as are laksa variants based on coconut milk.

Mee Rebus

Mee rebus is a noodle dish often prepared with ketchup or a sweet tomato gravy; lime provides citrus that offsets the sweet taste. Expect yellow egg noodles, half of a boiled egg, and shallots.

Mee Goreng

Mee goreng simply translates to "fried noodles" and can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on the whim and style of the street food hawker. Noodles can be rice, egg, or in a worst-case scenario, the same "instant" noodles upon which starving college students sometimes rely.

Mee goreng — prepared by Indian-Muslim hawkers in Mamak eateries — is a good option for avoiding the pork typically found in other noodle dishes.

Loh Mee

This noodle soup is thickened with egg and corn starch into a gravy that lends a somewhat-slimy texture to an otherwise-tasty noodle dish. The noodles are usually thick, yellow noodles. That mysterious, spongy option seen floating in the dish is a slice of fishcake.

Loh mee is sometimes spelled as "lor mee."

See more: Top 11 destinations to visit in Malacca

Source: Internet

Where to find the most delicious dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong

If there’s one type of cuisine in Hong Kong that you’ll likely want to eat, again and again, it’s dim sum. These delicious bite-size dishes, like a Chinese version, is Hong Kong classic version. Usually served for breakfast or lunch, the difficult part is choosing where to go amid the dizzying number of options.

1. Tim Ho Wan

Ever since Tim Ho Wan was awarded a Michelin star in 2010, they’ve become known as the most affordable Michelin-starred dim-sum spot in Hong Kong. Much to the delight of local diners, they’ve kept their affordable prices (about US$1.30 to US$3 per dish) which is extremely reasonable. They are renowned for their traditional Hong Kong dumplings like siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) and, no surprise, they are also renowned for long queues – so best to get there as early as possible.

✔ Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

2. Lin Heung Tea House

For the best traditional dim sum experience, Lin Heung Tea House ticks all the boxes. They specialize in old-fashioned dishes such as Chinese sausage rolls, pork dumplings topped with liver and even juicy chicken feet. If you want to experience a traditional Cantonese dim sum dining experience then look no further. It’s often hot, noisy, crowded and a feast for all the senses, but this is about as authentic as it gets in Hong Kong.

✔ 162 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

3. Lock Cha Tea House

Since the majority of dim sum dishes contain meat, vegetarians often feel that they miss out. However, this is not the case at Lock Cha Tea House who is renowned for their exceedingly tasty vegetarian dim sum. The fried turnip cake and fried squash dumplings are must-try dishes. The added bonus is that Lock Cha is one of the most famous tea houses in town. For those of you looking for a good brew, or are interested to learn more about Chinese tea culture and ceremony, this is the place to come.

See more: Check out Hong Kong Michelin food guides

4. Yan Toh Heen

Eating at Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Hotel is always a classy affair and Yan Toh Heen is no exception. Nothing much else can rival these two Michelin star restaurant. The dim sum here is highly praised and recommended by many of the top concierges in town. The options are vast, but their Superior Dumpling combinations are among the most popular items on the menu. Prices are reasonable given the quality of what’s on offer here. Service is impeccable and to top it off, the restaurant also boasts spectacular view overlooking the Victoria Harbour.

✔ Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

5. Dim Sum Icon

Playful and creative dim sum is the order of the day at Dim Sum Icon. They specialize in a cheeky take on dim sum classics with dumplings decorated as popular cartoon characters and other imaginative variations. Think chocolate buns with an egg custard that oozes out when squeezed. It’s all in the name of fun. Highly Instagrammable dim sum would best describe it.

✔ L308, 3/F, The ONE 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Source Internet