National Geographic Lists Taiwan as Part of China

National Geographic has ranked Taiwan #48 in its 2017 list of the 100 best travel destinations. However, the magazine has incensed Taiwan readers by listing the country as part of China. Members of the Facebook group Taiwan Passport Sticker posted pictures of the magazine and urged readers to protest on National Geographic’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Reader, Phoenix Chang wrote: “Looks like there are going to be lots of families trying to get Taiwanese visas at Chinese embassies and fail.

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Double-Decker Buses Begin Service in Taipei

A fleet of open-top double-decker buses offering tours of Taipei City were officially launched today January 18, 2017. The bright red buses reminiscent of London’s famous buses, will operate on 2 routes that take in Taipei’s major attractions. Audio guides are available in four languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Tickets start from NT$300 for a four-hour tour, and from now until Chinese New Year’s eve, people traveling in pairs can take advantage of a 2 for 1 special. The

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Evil Landlord Turns to Swindling Foreigners

A woman dubbed the Evil Landlord by Taiwan’s media turned to cheating foreigners after she became too recognizable to locals due to continuous media exposure. Zhang Shujing has a long history of defrauding tenants, and owners, from which she sub-leased properties. As well as crimes related to leasing properties, Zhang also has an extensive criminal record related to underground banking, loan-sharking, intimidation, violence, and embezzlement. In the latest case, Zhang used fake pictures of upscale accommodation to lure foreign travelers.

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Tourism Operators Introduce Combined Orchid Island and Green Island Ferry Route

Tourism operators in Taitung today introduced a new ferry route that will allow travelers to purchase one ticket to visit both Green Island and Orchid Island. Daily services will begin May 1. Up till now visitors who went to either Island had to take a ferry back to Fugang Harbor to board a separate ferry to go to the other island. An industry spokesperson said the new route offers provides convenience and cost savings for visitors to the islands. A

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