Taiwan Government Uniform Invoice 台湾统一发票

There is something interesting in Taiwan receipt when I was there-I found almost every receipt that I received from the merchandise was about the same size.

I googled and found this is so called Government Uniform Invoice (GUI), or in Taiwan they call it 统一发票.

Taiwan Youth Travel Card 台湾青年旅游卡

Would like to introduce everybody another good travel pal in Taiwan- Taiwan Youth Travel Card 台湾青年旅游卡.

When you arrive in Taiwan Taoyuan Airport, you can
go to Taiwan Tourism board counter to get your digital tour buddy 宝贝机，
While at the same time you can ask the officer for Taiwan Youth Travel Card台湾青年旅游卡 application form, it’s totally free, and need not pre-apply prior to your arrival in Taiwan.

Chinese version of this article 此文中译本

The main benefit for getting a Youth Travel Card is to have discounts in a lot of places, eg some museum like 故宫 can get up to 50% discount.


By reading the booklet that come together with the Youth Travel Card, I saw many tourist spots, transportation, homestay,food, Chinese language learning course and shopping arcades are alliance with the Youth Travel Card.

Even though during the time I was at Taiwan, I used only once the Youth Travel Card (as I have pre-booked the accommodation online before) in 故宫 Museum.

The normal rate for adult is NT160, but by using Youth Travel Card, get 50% off, only NT80, and all you have to do is just by waving your Youth Travel Card to the counter. Cool ya, isn’t it?

But yet, I forgotten that I could use Youth Travel Card in Deng Tai Fung Restaurant, not really having any discount in this famous franchise Xiao Long Bao restaurant, but using Youth Travel Card can earn you a little souvenir-Xiao Long Bao key chain.

Thus, I strongly recommend backpackers like me , should really study through the benefits of the Youth Travel Card at their website, you can get a better value of your money .

And another info for all backpackers out there going to travel to Taiwan:

From now onwards till 31st August 2011, by using Youth Travel Card, to register your receipt online , then you can join their lucky draw,the first prize is Ipad.  really regret….

Taiwan Digital Tour Buddy 台湾宝贝机

Introducing a very good thing from the Taiwan Tourism Board- the digital tour buddy, and it’s FREE for application for backpackers from all over the world!

Chinese version of this article 此文中译版

There are two types, one is together with the cellphone they loan to you , while the other 1 is only loan out the 3G Sim card.

Me and myself separately get the 2 different types of digital tour buddy plan, but later on I found it’s more worthy to get the plan of only the 3G sim card, because its credit included in NT200, while the one with cell phone provided is loaded with only NT100.

If you are using smartphone, think undoubtly you should get the 3G sim plan.

Because the digital tour buddy cellphone OKWAP A272, to be frank, is not that user-friendly. I was having a hard time of typing a sms using the phone

You can start the digital tour buddy application online 2 months prior to your arrival in Taiwan. If your application is successful, an notification email will be sent to you. Even though the website saying you can apply on the spot over at the airport’s tourism counter, but I bet this programme should like a hot cake, if time permits, you don’t want to risk not having one, do you?

If you interested to apply for the phone, you can go to this website


or to go its main page for any other promotions on Taiwan

Singapore Istana Open House 新加坡总统府开放日

Istana- which means Palace in Malay is the Singapore President House.

The Istana Open day is opened for public only a certain days in a year- festive days of each races in Singapore- Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Thaipusam, Singapore Natioanl day and Labour day.

Tanjong Pagor Train Station丹戎巴葛火车站

Finally the Tanjong Pagar KTM railway station had come to an conclusion- to end its mission serving KTM in this coming july 2011. After this, Malayan Rail will move its Singapore stop to the border- Woodland.


Recently Singapore government had also announced to gazette the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as National Heritage, is it going to be some sort of Train museum?
Chinese version of this article 此文中译本

Johor Bahru Chinese Temple Festival 新山游神

Introducing this special Chinese New Year event in Johor Bahru, which falls on 23rd Feb (wed) night this year 2011. The Lunar new year 2011 officially ended on the 15th, but the Johor Bahru Chinese community is so uniquely celebrating Lunar New Year for 22days !


Johor Bahru Chinese Temple Festival,or Chingay procession- As the name implies, is a festival uniquely held at Johor Bahru, the Malaysia’s southern gateway.

Johor Bahru Chinese considers the end of the Chinese New Year period only after the Temple Festival. So this could be titled as “The world longest celebration period of Chinese New Year.” 
Chinese Version of this article 本文中文版