Alex Honnold to attempt Taipei 101 free solo climb on Jan. 24

Alex Honnold to attempt Taipei 101 free solo climb on Jan. 24

2026-01-14

If you look up at Taipei 101 later this month and see a person outside the building, don’t be alarmed. Chances are, it will be American rock climbing icon Alex Honnold, who’s set to attempt a free solo climb of the skyscraper on Jan. 24. The climb has been approved by authorities and will be broadcast live. Honnold says getting to the top of the 508m building will be a dream come true.

Honnold is the star of "Free Solo," a documentary that tells the story of his historic climb of El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park in the US. The monolith is just shy of two times the height of Taipei 101, and Honnold’s ascent in 2017 marked the first-ever free solo climb. But getting to the top of Taipei 101 poses different challenges, due to the glass, steel and concrete on the building’s surface, and the potential of strong winds on the higher floors. It’s been a long challenge in the making, as the 40-year-old rock climber even visited Taiwan last year for a test climb, drawing widespread attention.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taipei101 #freeclimb #soloclimb #alexhonnold #extremesports

攀岩之神Alex Honnold 挑戰"徒手攀101" 1/24直播

2026-01-14

美國攀登好手Alex，宣布已申請獲得101同意，1/24將公開直播，挑戰無防護、徒手爬上標高508公尺的台北101。ALEX表示，這次攀爬101，是為了圓夢。

ALEX是紀錄片「赤手登峰」主角，記錄他在2017年徒手攀爬美國優勝美地國家公園的酋長岩的過程，酋長岩高度達3200英呎，大約是2座台北101大樓高。台北101外牆是玻璃、鋼骨與混凝土，難度很高，除了體力、高處強風也是考驗，去年ALEX其實就被拍到，悄悄來台試爬，引發關注。

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Taiwan Lantern Festival promo video showcases hardworking spirit of Chiayi

To drum up excitement for this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival, the Chiayi County Government released a promotional video and gave a sneak peek into one of the exhibition zones. The video showcases the people of Chiayi from all walks of life working hard at their jobs to bring light to the county. Meanwhile, the "Chiayi Dream" zone promises to be a highlight of the festival, featuring a 7-meter-tall and 20-meter-wide immersive main installation called New Path of Light.

Narrated by the sonorous voice of Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang, this promotional video for the Taiwan Lantern Festival showcases the people of Chiayi working hard at their jobs to show that the combined light of these small, everyday acts are the driving force that pushes Chiayi forward.

Wu Chao-chun
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Promos for previous festivals have tended to invoke fireworks or lanterns. But this time, I hoped to start from the perspective of the people. Over years, the painstaking efforts of all those working here in Chiayi have gradually coalesced into a brilliant light.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
In the past, our radiance was slow to build. But now, we’re guiding our own light, getting a firm grasp and control of our emergence, which is not an easy thing to do.

The Taiwan Lantern Festival is returning to Chiayi after eight years. The local glove puppetry troupe Samadhi Tang crafted a new performance especially for the festival, stunning the attendees of the news conference with their giant larger-than-life puppets.

The organizers also gave a sneak peek at the festival’s main zone entitled “Chiayi Dream” in front of Chiayi County Government building, where illuminated art installations will take visitors on a journey of Chiayi’s history of development.

Wang Wen-chih
Artist
Now for the inside. One you go through the corridor, it can actually fit two or three hundred people no problem. There are three domes, a box, and an archway where a person can hide inside. Usually when we exhibit it, kids will run over and say, “I’m going home!” before running inside. That’s a great feeling.

The county commissioner said that this year’s Lantern Festival is not only a major tourist draw, but also a chance to put Chiayi on the map of Taiwan and the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Taipei MRT sells luxury perfume from vending machine

The Taipei MRT has been ramping up brand collaborations, in some cases allowing businesses to set up vending machines in highly trafficked stations. Previous machines that sold mixed drinks and ramen to-order have been successful. Now, they’re trying out a machine that dispenses perfume. It not only sells full bottles, but it can also give a spritz for just a few coins. Even though the trial period is still ongoing, it’s already received rave reviews.

Meng Chia-mei
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If you forgot to put on some perfume before leaving home, not to worry! Just find this vending machine in the MRT station and for a few NT, you can get a spritz.

Nine bottles of name-brand perfume including Le Labo and Jo Malone are lined up in the display to choose from. Each bottle costs a few thousand dollars, but you can try one out for just $30.

Commuter
I often forget to put on perfume, and I won’t bring it out with me. If I was meeting someone today, I think it would be good. And $30 is pretty cheap.

It’s convenient.
Very convenient.
You can reapply your perfume.
Reapply when you’re already out.

The operator guarantees that all the perfumes come with proof of purchase. During the trial period, five machines have been set up in busy transfer stations. Installing vending machines in empty station spaces with heavy foot traffic offer a massive business opportunity.

Mixed drinks and piping hot ramen are also available for a few coins. These food vending machines first made an appearance in Ximen Station, which is frequented by young people. At Taipei 101 Station in the upscale Xinyi District, home to luxury retailers, there’s a vending machine for jewelry. If a ring is the wrong size, you can take it to a store for resizing.

Wang Fu-kai
Rebranding academy president
Convenient retail machines allow customers to buy what they need more promptly. It’s experiential marketing. Through these machines, customers will feel like they’re keeping up with the trends.

The Taipei MRT’s brand collaborations have achieved impressive results, maximizing the value of its empty station space.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Chiayi Railway Station calls out passengers in humorous announcements

It’s common to hear announcements at railway stations about train services. But at Chiayi train station, the announcements are unique. One person heard over the PA system that passengers should refrain from wiping their nasal mucus on the seat, as it’s unsanitary. Others said that people would be called out for looking at their phones or stepping across the yellow line on the platform. They praised the station attendant for having a good sense of humor, giving commuters a good laugh.

To the woman in red, when the train is coming into the station, do not cross the yellow line. You’re the one the conductor is honking at.

“When the train is coming, do not cross the line. The person being honked at is you.” This announcement at Chiayi Railway Station certainly got everyone’s attention.

To parents with small children, do not let your kids run around on the platform. It will scare the conductor.

These playful announcements gave the passengers a good chuckle.

Passenger
The announcements are really interesting and I think they’re funny. It leaves a strong impression.

Passenger
The Taiwan Railway announcements are usually pretty dull. But here in Chiayi, they’re very personalized. I think it’s great.

Impressed by the creativity, many passengers have praised the attendant for his sense of humor.

Chen Chien-hao
Chiayi Station assistant attendant
My colleagues privately complain about my broadcasts. Some people like it and others don’t, but it’s no big deal.

These funny broadcasts are all attendant Chen Chien-hao’s陳健豪 doing. He likes using humor to ease passengers’ anxiety about catching their trains.

Chen Chien-hao
Chiayi Station assistant attendant
Passengers will rush to catch their trains. I don’t want to make everyone more anxious with my announcements or afraid they’ll miss their train.

Chang Huan-lin
Chiayi Station master
He wants everyone to understand clearly. I think it’s fun and makes everyone like taking the train.

Most railway stations use formal announcements. But this comical and personalized content is unique to Chiayi. When you take the train to Chiayi, be sure to keep your ears peeled for a funny announcement or two.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Man helpfully returns expensive iPhone to owner, demands reward

A Hsinchu resident has whipped up controversy online after he angrily complained he deserved a reward for finding an expensive smart phone and returning it to its owner. The man found an iPhone 17 Pro and took it to a police station. When the owner came to collect it, he demanded a 10% reward, which is roughly NT$3,000, but was rebuffed. While horrified netizens thought his demands went against the spirit of helping others, a lawyer says the demand was actually in accordance with Taiwanese law.

If you accidentally lose an expensive smart phone and then someone finds it, you should thank your lucky stars. But when a person found a smart phone and took it to a police station for the owner to claim, he demanded a 10% reward, which would be roughly NT$3,000. When the owner refused, he was infuriated and expressed this in an online post.

The netizen made a public post online saying: “I found the phone on the afternoon of New Year’s Day and asked the owner for a 10% reward. Isn’t that my right? I helped them find their phone, and kept it safe, but it seems like I’m trying to extort 10% from them. In the end, I didn’t receive the 10% and the police returned the phone to the owner. No matter what happens, I will file a lawsuit.” His lengthy and scathing tirade stunned many other netizens, and some said it would have been better if he’d never found it.

Member of the public
If someone demanded 10% from me, I might be stunned and feel uncomfortable, but if the object was important to me, I would give it.

Member of the public
I think it’s a bit unreasonable, because even if someone helped you find it, that doesn’t mean you should expect or demand something in return.

Returning lost property is a virtue, but when the finder’s demand for a 10% reward was refused, and he even threatened to sue the owner, it sparked heated discussions online. However, a lawyer said that it’s actually legal to claim compensation.

Li Chia-hao
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According to the provisions of Article 805, Paragraph 2 of the Civil Code, the finder may request a reward from the owner, but the reward cannot exceed one-tenth of the property’s value. If the owner is unwilling to pay, the finder can file a lawsuit against the owner to request a reward.

In fact, there have been incidents in the past where people found watches or phones, and filed lawsuits after failing to get compensation. Although it’s lawful to ask for a reward, aggressively suing undermines the spirit of helping others out of goodwill.

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Woman takes relationship anger on innocent elementary schoolkid

An innocent school girl became the victim of a confrontation between a young couple in Taoyuan. The student was heading home when she was assaulted for no apparent reason by a 22-year-old woman, who was on her way to confront her partner. The woman was so consumed by her anger that she took it out on the kid, and she screamed in the process, even after the police arrived. The girl’s parents are pressing charges against the woman.

A 22-year-old woman surnamed Chang was heading to confront her partner, when she unleashed her wrath onto a primary school girl that happened to walk by. She gripped the child close to her by the neck, choking her for a long while. A passer-by witnessed this scene and rushed over to rescue the kid.

Mr. Chiu
Rescuer
I heard the little girl crying for help. Her lips were pale when I saw her, meaning she was struggling to catch a breath.

But the woman was still caught up in rage. When she finally saw her partner outside their home, she punched them hard, and pushed them onto the street. The police swiftly arrived and arrested her.

The woman continued screaming, so the police had her taken to hospital.

Principal
Victim’s primary school
It’s completely out of the blue. The kid was on her way to extracurriculars when she was caught in the incident. We helped sort things out when it happened.

Yu Hsin-hsien
Taoyuan City Councilor (DPP)
Why does a schoolkid in Taoyuan need to risk her life on her way home after school? I’m calling on the Mayor Chang San-cheng to stop with empty words and take immediate action, and actually prioritize the safety of schoolkids.

The kid’s parents are suing Chang for assault and intimidation. The kid’s school has also issued a notice to parents of their students, detailing the incident and emphasizing their commitment to reinforce safety net around campus to look after the kids.

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Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Taiwanese grapple with cold visiting Hokkaido in blizzard

A super blizzard is sweeping Hokkaido, making for a chilly trip for many Taiwanese visiting the northern Japanese island. With endless snow and strong winds, few people venture out to the streets, and many outdoor landmarks have closed. Travelers from Taiwan are posting videos online showing their experience with the freezing cold, which they’d never get to feel back home.

The winds blast snowflakes across the city, making it difficult to even stand upright.

Hokkaido is getting swept by a cold high-pressure system. After days and days of heavy snowfall, travelers can barely endure the freezing temperatures.

- I can’t walk.
It’s all snow.
My face is freezing.

Tourist hotspots such as Sapporo, Otaru, Hakorade and Biei are getting hit by what looks like a typhoon, only that it’s freezing and snowy. Travelers that were all smiles seeing penguins in the morning, were left chattering in the evening.

- We’re in a super blizzard in Hokkaido
- It’s really crazy!
It’s so cold!

Driving is extremely dangerous with reduced visibility that barely lets drivers see anything besides a white haze. There’s been plenty of traffic accidents, and since road markings aren’t visible, drivers have to rely on their instinct.

People going outside have to wrap up extra warm. In areas like Sapporo, the nighttime perceived temperature is as low as -15°C. On the street, even fish for sale and food stalls are buried in snow, turning the city into a freezer.

Mr. Ting
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I’m at the Hakodate Morning Market, where the temperature feel is -19°C. It’s freezing cold. I arrived in Hakodate yesterday, as the blizzard was blowing over. JR didn’t suspend any trains services. It’s so cold that there is barely anyone on the street.

Many outdoor attractions have closed due to the constant snow. Lion Travel say there has been a few road closures and flight delays, but tour groups have been largely unaffected. EZ travel says group itineraries are going ahead as planned, but independent travelers are advised to adjust their plans based on weather and transport conditions. If you end up trapped in the snow, crying will only get you ice on your face.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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