Taipei to hold Lantern Festival in Ximen and Yuanshan

Taipei to hold Lantern Festival in Ximen and Yuanshan

2026-01-16

Taipei’s Lantern Festival is taking a dual approach this year, with two distinct exhibition areas around the city. The lantern show will kick off on Feb. 25 at the Ximending Shopping District and at the Taipei Expo Park in Yuanshan. The city government is hoping to boost the value of the festival, as both places offer plenty of activities on the side, such as evening shopping and plenty of nightlife options. On top of that, each of the sites will have a different feel, thanks to unique collabs with different franchises. The one in Yuanshan will have a futuristic and technological vibe, brought in by the action films Transformers. Let’s hear more from a tourism official.

Yu Hsiang
Taipei tourism official
We’re collaborating with Transformers for the exhibition site at the Expo Park in Yuanshan. We hope to create a futuristic and high-tech atmosphere at the site, symbolizing Nvidia setting up an office at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park. The lanterns will be on until 10 in the evening, and after they are turned off, visitors can go to shops in the area. We’ve really taken care of everything. We may also extend the hours on holidays and days off, but we’ll announce that when the matter is set.

The exhibition site in Ximen will be more on the cute side, according to the official, but it has not yet been revealed what franchise will be on the spotlight. Every year, the city government hands out handheld lamps to revelers, which are always much sought after. This year, there will be 100,000 units available, and they can be picked up at designated sites starting March. 1. The theme of the mini lanterns is the same as the main character of the Yuanshan lantern area: Optimus Prime, the protagonist of “Transformers.”

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

#transformers #optimusprime #lanternfestival #ximen #yuanshan #taipei

台北燈節首度"雙展區.雙IP"! 變形金剛進駐花博

2026-01-16

2026台北燈節2月25日登場，今年主打雙IP主燈，除了西門町，還延伸到圓山花博公園，串聯周邊各商圈、以及夜經濟，希望能提升觀光產值，第一波聯名IP亮相，首度找來變形金剛，要替燈節注入科技、未來感。

[[台北市觀傳局局長余祥]]
“這次我們找到了變形金剛，作為這次花博園區的主題燈區，其實就是希望能夠結合科技，還有未來感，也象徵著，輝達進駐北市科。現在的開燈時間，就是到晚上10點，想說讓大家在賞燈完之後，也可以去其他周邊商圈，我們確實有在研議，在假日的時間，做開燈的延長，有確定的消息，會再跟大家說明”

至於西門展區的主燈，余祥透露，將是走「可愛感」路線，與花博展區完全不同，希望帶給民眾雙重體驗。而每年都搶翻天的小提燈，今年準備 10萬盞，3月1日在特定區域發送，是跟花博展區的主燈呼應，迷你版柯博文。

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Poster encouraging hospital overtime work draws controversy

Changhua Christian Hospital recently announced it is to give a record-high bonus of 3.5 months of pay this year, much to the excitement of its staff. But an image of a poster at the hospital that surfaced online also drew criticism, as it says, “I’m willing to work overtime today” and “Just one more procedure.”

A poster shows the words “I’m willing to work overtime today” above other comments in support of making the personal choice to work overtime. This image has sparked heated discussion among medical professionals.

Nurse from other hospital
Medical staff really do save lives and heal the sick. We genuinely want to be here from the bottom of our hearts. But in many places, the patient to nurse ratio is over 10 to 1. It’s hard to maintain quality of care.

With a severe staffing shortage, some hospitals rely on their employees working overtime to make ends meet. The poster in question was displayed outside an operating room at Changhua Christian Hospital.

Changhua Christian Hospital OR nurse
It’s just a humorous way to encourage everyone to embrace positivity when working overtime. Others might find it discomforting, since they don’t understand our overtime pay policies and how we comply with regulations.

The hospital has 35 operating rooms where 115 routine surgeries and 26 emergency surgeries are performed every day on average. The hospital said that among its nearly 2,000 nurses, only the anesthetists and OR nurses need to work overtime. Therefore, this year the hospital is giving a record-high year-end bonus of 3.5 months of salary, plus additional bonuses for these hardworking staff. The highest bonus works out to 10.5 months of salary.

Nurse anesthetist
Since we need to follow the Labor Standards Act, we can’t work more than 12 hours in a day. So we abide by this rule and keep overtime within two hours.

Chang Shang-wen
Changhua Christian Hospital chief medical officer
Overtime for surgical staff is a regular occurrence. We at Changhua Christian Hospital adhere to the law and regulations, and absolutely do not pressure our staff or demand endless sacrifices from our employees.

As the poster caught flak online, the hospital emphasized that all overtime work is strictly voluntary and said it never forces staff to work more than their contracted hours.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Taipei Camellia Show held till Jan.25

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Japanese matcha prices soar as demand outstrips supply

Prices have tripled in the Japanese matcha market since 2024 as producers struggle to meet global demand. Even if businesses have the funds, they may not be able to buy it. As the price of matcha climbs, operational costs for businesses increase and profits shrink. Two of Taiwan’s major matcha stores recently raised their prices, with the cost of items that use matcha powder rising as much as 67%.

A table is crowded with matcha products, from cakes to ice cream. Matcha has soared in popularity this century, known for its vibrant color and unique bittersweet taste. But enjoying these delicious green desserts is becoming increasingly expensive. This matcha specialty store Tsujiri announced price hikes of up to 67%.

Member of public
Matcha powder has always been expensive. But you said one cup has risen by NT$15? That’s a lot. But prices for everything are rising lately, not just matcha. Maybe I’ll go to Japan to get it.

At Tsujiri, the cost of a matcha latte has risen from NT$145 to NT$160, while matcha rolls and ice cream both rose by NT$10. Even the cost of matcha powder itself has risen from NT$570 to nearly NT$1,000. Another matcha store, 108 Matcha Saro, also announced that its prices would rise starting on Feb. 2.

Voice of Kevin
Matcha store owner
Prices started rising around the summer of 2024. In the nearly two years since, there have been at least three waves of price hikes. The bigger the brand, the greater the difference. From the first wave of price hikes to now, prices have already doubled or tripled. Looking at market cost, the prices have risen even more.

Experts say prices have risen because tea farmers in Japan are aging, which makes boosting production difficult. Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan are all looking to buy Japanese matcha, but supply can’t keep up with demand, so prices have naturally gone up.

Voice of Kevin
Matcha store owner
Our prices have also gone up, but only a bit. We absorb most of the cost ourselves, which makes profits a lot lower.

Businesses say they can’t keep increasing their prices to keep up with the rising costs of Japanese matcha. Instead, many have started developing non-matcha products and looking for tea farmers whose prices haven’t risen as much.

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

#matcha #Tsujiri #Japan #Japanesematcha #price #priceincrease #pricehike #matchadessert #costofliving

2026-01-16

Arrows at Zhubei’s new bike park raise collision concerns

Since it opened at the end of 2025, many bicyclists have taken advantage of the Pump Track Extreme Park in Zhubei, Taiwan’s first bicycle park with 1.5-meter inclines. Some people questioned whether directional arrows painted on the ground are incorrect, warning that they could lead to collisions. But experts say these arrows do not indicate direction, but where to jump, just like designs overseas.

Children ride bicycles up and down inclines at this bike park, having a great time. But there’s something they didn’t consider.

Come up from here.
This side also says come up from here. Are they trying to get someone killed?

This is Taiwan’s first bicycle park with 1.5-meter inclines, the Pump Track Extreme Park in Zhubei, built at a cost of NT$23 million. But some people think the directional arrows were painted incorrectly and could easily lead to collisions. After posting their concerns in a local community group on Facebook, experts said the arrows have another purpose.

Chen Han-kun
Extreme sports gold medalist
Its main purpose is to tell you that this is a jumping platform, that you can fly and jump from here and practice some aerial movements. It’s not really about direction.

Cheng Shang-che
Extreme sports association chair
The Zhubei Pump Track was designed for jumping and aerial skills. Its layout is focused on testing riders’ ability to interpret terrain and perform aerial maneuvers. There’s no specific one-way route in the park. The arrows on the ground indicate the points to take off from.

The arrows don’t indicate direction, but where riders can take off for jumps. Those unfamiliar with extreme sports may misunderstand the arrows, which could be dangerous.

Member of public
I’ve seen people going the opposite way, because pump tracks are a very new concept in Taiwan. It would be best if there was a notice about it.

Member of public
When I first came here, I thought that the symbol indicated direction.

In general, regular bicycles are not allowed in extreme sports parks, but there are no clear signs at the entrance. Ordinary cyclists have been coming, and some parents even bring their kids. Uninformed people may misunderstand the arrows on the ground, so it’s not surprising that this has raised concerns.

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

#park #bicycle #bikepark #extremesports #sportspark #pumptrack #Zhubei #jump #arrows #direction

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Man wins luxury home at Taichung Shopping Festival

Can you imagine spending just over NT$7,400 and winning a whole luxury home? That’s exactly what happened at this year’s Taichung Shopping Festival, now in its seventh edition. The annual shopping extravaganza recently held its lucky draw for its grand prize: a home valued at tens of millions of NT dollars in Taichung’s pricy Beitun District. The new lucky homeowner is a man surnamed Huang, who made the winning purchase back in November last year. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen personally called him to inform him of the winnings, making for a grand finale to the festival, which has recorded more than NT$37.4 billion in spending.

- Hello?
- Hello? Is this Mr. Huang?
- This is he.
- Mr. Huang, can you hear me?
- Yes. What’s the matter?

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen phoned the lucky winner, who seemed confused and unaware of the good news to come.

- Do you know why I’m calling you?
- No…
The Taichung Shopping Festival?
- Correct!

This is the moment that Mr. Huang found out that he was the lucky winner of the grand prize at the Taichung Shopping festival: A luxury home worth tens of millions.

- Do you remember what you bought?
- I’ll have to check the receipt.

Mr. Huang lives in Nantun District and works in the service industry. When he answered the phone he had no idea he was about to become the owner of a brand new luxury home valued at tens of millions of NT dollars, all for spending just over NT$7,400. It turns Mr. Huang made his lucky purchase in late November last year.

- Do you have a house?
- Yes. I’m at home.
- What are you going to do with this house then?
- I’ll have to think about it.

The prized home sits along Junfu 9th Road, slap bang in the middle of the glitzy and pricy Beitun District. It’s near the MRT, a branch of an American big-box store, and in a popular school district. The interior is already finished, and it comes with a parking space to boot. Surely everyone will envy him now.

Lu Shiow-yen
Taichung mayor
Taiwan’s economy has experienced turbulence over the past year. It’s not been very stable. Many cities saw worse results from similar events, but for us, spending actually rose!

The Taichung Shopping Festival is now in its seventh year, and it’s posted astonishing figures. Spending surpassed NT$37.4 billion, that’s NT$2.1 billion more than last year. It attracted shoppers from other counties and cities, and even from abroad to get some retail therapy. And now, one lucky winner is getting the keys to a stunning new home in Taichung.

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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Taiwan and US finalize MOU on trade deal

After nine months of negotiations on tariffs, Taiwan and the US have finally reached a consensus. Taiwan’s negotiation team, led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun, has wrapped up discussions with the US, which have ended with the signing of an MOU. Cheng says that Taiwan has secured the two most-favored outcomes it had sought. The first one is a “reciprocal tariff” rate of 15% without stacking. That is the lowest rate for countries that the US has a trade deficit with. The second is the US has committed to granting Taiwan semiconductors and related products the most favorable treatment under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, if the act were to be invoked. President Lai Ching-te on Friday thanked the negotiation team for their efforts. Meanwhile, Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that all of Taiwan’s objectives had been achieved, saying that the team had delivered a stunning home run. Let’s hear more.

Lai Ching-te
President
None of us slept this morning, because we were following the negotiations closely, and addressing any issues that came up as soon as they arose. We only truly felt at ease after the papers were signed. These negotiations will help Taiwan’s industries stay rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally and selling to the entire world. In the future, trade cooperation between Taiwan and the US will grow even closer, and our economies can develop together to create a win-win situation. I would like to urge ruling and opposition parties to support this agreement, so that Taiwan can stride forward united.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
I think that all four goals that we set off with have been achieved in the negotiations. It’s like a clean home run. Taiwan has TSMC, a sacred mountain that protects our nation. We often say that as long as the main peak of the mountain stays in Taiwan, the mountain will be in Taiwan. Taiwan will be the mountain, and the US will see Taiwan as an important and strategic partner.

Officials say that the US has accepted a “Taiwan model” under which Taiwanese companies will make direct investments of US$250 billion without being subject to most US governmental limitations. The Taiwan government will also provide up to US$250 billion in credit guarantees to support investments. The model is completely different from Japan’s and South Korea’s models. The investment figures are also different, at US$550 billion for Japan and US$350 billion for South Korea. The model is expected to give a boost to the competitiveness of Taiwan’s traditional industries, including machine tools and hand tools.

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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Baseball fans disappointed after WBC tickets sell out fast

Taiwan’s win at the Premier12 baseball tournament back in 2024 sparked a furor for the sport that has lasted until this year. And now, baseball fans will have an opportunity to see Taiwan shine again, at the World Baseball Classic, which is set to kick off in Tokyo. From March 5 Taiwan will face off against four countries at the Tokyo Dome: Australia, Japan, Czechia and South Korea. Tickets for the showdown went on sale on Thursday, but hundreds of fans were left disappointed. The online sales portal lagged and crashed, and by the time it was up and running again, tickets had almost sold out. But there could be another option besides watching the games at the stadium. CPBL Chair Tsai Chi-chang says plans are underway to hold a watch party live, so that Taiwanese in Japan can enjoy the game and each others’ company.

Do you remember this moment from just over a year ago? Team Taiwan made its way to victory at the Premier12, reigniting a baseball fever in Taiwan that has lasted until this year, with the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Scroll all you want on the ticketing website, but tickets for Taiwan’s games against Australia, Japan, Czechia and South Korea, starting March 5 are all sold out!

Jerry
Tried to buy tickets
I was eating out, and even when I was out walking on the street I kept refreshing the page. I kept trying until past 10 o’clock, when I found out that the Taiwan-South Korea game had sold out. I thought, fine, I just pick another match. But I kept refreshing for six hours and I got nothing.

Tickets were available on four major ticketing platforms in Japan, and only one, ePlus, had an international portal. But as soon as sales started, the servers were overwhelmed with requests. Some people got a VPN and borrowed a Japanese phone to use the Lawson ticketing system, but even as late as midnight, there were 640,000 in the virtual queue. Some went to bed to wait it out, but by the next day in the morning, there were still 570,000 people in line.

Voice of Momo
Tried to buy tickets
The Japanese ticketing platforms were also very laggy at first. But at around 7, you could register and get the tickets, but not if you were abroad. But if you were using ePlus, there were barely any tickets left. All the Taiwan games had sold out, except for vs. Checkia and vs. Australia, but those didn’t have any good seats.

It was a downer for fans who already booked flights and tickets. But don’t lose hope just yet. The WBC has announced an official ticket resale platform where there could be a second chance. If all fails, there might be a live broadcast party in Tokyo.

Tsai Chi-chang
CPBL Chair
We’re hoping to find an indoor venue and hold something like a “Taiwan night” so that fans who couldn’t get tickets can go to watch the game together and cheer for our team.

Those with tickets can attend the games sporting the latest Team Taiwan merch, a black cap and jersey just like the players. Get your wallets ready!

Tsai Chi-chang
CPBL Chair
We’re afraid that people won’t have time to get the merch on time so we’re going to launch sails next week. Keep an eye on the official CPBL website and be wary of scams, we haven’t authorized just anyone to sell the merch.

The race for merch is on, and it’s looking like Tokyo Dome will once again feel like Taiwan’s home stadium.

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

#baseball #taiwan #japan #tokyo #tokyodome

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