How To Travel To 10 Countries In A Day

You’ve seen your friends flood Instagram and Facebook with photos all the way from Europe to the Scandinavian islands, or they could just be traveling in the neighboring countries just outside our little red dot; scrolling through endless posts to see weekend getaways to Johor Bahru and Batam while you’re still stuck here in Singapore, wishing that time could pass and you could travel too. You get it – Any other country except Singapore.

Living in the social media era, traveling is never really complete without posting a couple of photos, isn’t it?

For those who have that burning desire to update your social media platforms without having any new photos because you can’t afford the time or the money, here’s the place! You could travel around Singapore in just a day for 9 Insta-Worthy landmarks!

1. Rosengarten Auf Dem Beutig, Baden-Baden, Germany

Visit the Gardens By the Bay of Germany, where enthusiasts frequent and deem as the secret rose capital of this country.

Fun Fact: Enthusiasts see Baden-Baden as the secret rose capital of Germany.

Germany Experience: Rhine Valley Tour

Location: Japanese Cemetery Park

Nearest MRT: Serangoon

2. Burma Railway, Thanbyuzayat, Myanmar

Also known as The Death Railway connecting the border of Burma (currently known as Myanmar) and Thailand devised by the Japanese Army during the Second World War to transport troops and supplies from Bangkok back to Burma.

Fun Fact: One man died for each wooden sleeper. This was one of the most tragic yet “forgetten wars”.

Myanmar Experience: Half Day Tour of Mingun

Location: Bukit Timah Railway

Nearest MRT: Hillview

3. Hakone, Tokyo, Japan

Famous for their “Floating” Torri, it has been designated as a Geopark by UNESCO for its unique flora and fauna. Hakone has flourished as a favorite spa destination, and still attracts many visitors from all over – there are more tourists than locals.

Fun Fact: There’s a belief that Owakudani, a crater that was created by the last major eruption of Mount Hakone 800 years ago, is known for its healthy eggs that add 7 years to your life.

Japan Experience: Kimono Experience

Location: Japanese Garden

Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden

4. Petite France, Korea

Located near Nami Island, this French cultural village is located in the countryside, consisting of 16 different French-style building.

Fun Fact: Petite France was featured on many dramas and variety shows such as Beethoven Virus, Secret Garden, My Love From The Star.

Korea Experience: Petite France

Location: Clarke Quay

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

5. St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia

You can’t visit St Kilda and not take a stroll along the Pier. It would be like going to Vegas and not going into casinos or playing roulette.

Much loved by many visitors and locals, St. Kilda is Melbourne’s seaside playground where it is renowned for its extensive beach activities, stunning sunsets and most importantly, FOOD! My tummy’s grumbling!

Fun Fact: St. Kilda was Melbourne’s ‘red light’ district’ following the Second World War.

Melbourne Experience: Mornington Penninsula Tour

Location: Raffles Marina

Nearest MRT: Tuas Link

6. Zhan Yuan Garden, Nanjing, China

Zhanyuan Garden is the only well preserved Ming-style architectural complex with the longest history in Nanjing City

Fun Fact: The garden was named after a famous Chinese poem in which translates to “one feels like in heaven when looking up (‘zhan’ in Chinese) the beautiful house”

China Experience: Shanghai Disneyland Tickets

Location: Chinese Garden

Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden

7. Kowloon, Hong Kong

Ah, we’ve come to the land of Hypebeast. They even have a street entirely filled with sneakers (yes they do), and it is named “Sneakers Street”.

How do we describe Hong Kong in a sentence? It’s part capitalist, part communist, basically built on a rock and it is well-known in Asia for police-crime related drama serials and movies.

Fun Fact: Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world, surpassing what we thought would be New York City.

Hong Kong Experience: Peak Tram and Fast Track Package

Location: Along the streets of Chinatown

Nearest MRT: Chinatown

8. Milatos Cave, Crete, Greece

If you’re looking for a place that tells tales, this is the one – Rich in history and of sentimental importance for the locals, 3,600 people were slaughtered in this very cave by the Turks during the Revolution times. A White Chapel is then built to commemorate this tragic incident.

Fun Facts: Some of those victims’ remains still lie deep in the cave which is only accessible by ropes and harnesses.

Greece Experience: Tour to Ancient Thera

Location: Sentosa

Nearest MRT: Harbourfront

9. Krabi, Thailand

A less crowded version of Phuket and arguably the most relaxing part of Thailand where it has such magnificent scenery and sunsets, beautiful white beaches that stretch from one end to the other. The best part – it also has almost every water and physical activity you can think of off the top of your head.

Fun Facts: Krabi is possibly Thailand’s oldest history of continued settlement where much of the province consists of several national parks, with over 200 islands off its coast.

Krabi Experience: Krabi 4 Islands Day Tour

Location: Siloso Beach, Sentosa

Nearest MRT: Harbourfront

10. Dragon & Tiger Pagodas

Sick of the city life in Taipei? Take a train ride to the South and find yourself in Kaohsiung, the second largest city in Taiwan. Kaohsiung has so much to offer, from fresh local produce and cultural knowledge, we are ready for a new side of this foodie-heaven.

Fun Facts: There is a sign outside the pagodas that tells you to enter through the dragon’s mouth and come out from the tiger’s mouth, it is said to get rid of your bad luck and increase your good luck.

Kaohsiung Experience: Kaohsiung City Day Tour

Location: Chinese Gardens

Nearest MRT: Chinese Gardens

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Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s Grandest Natural Attraction

When the Portuguese first arrived in Taiwan, they exclaimed ‘Ilha Formosa!’ The expression translates to, ‘The Beautiful Island.’ And while Taiwan has long outgrown the name, much of the island continues to inspire that same kind of awe and wonder.

On site, in particular, amazes even the Taiwanese. A 3-hour train ride south of Taipei is Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s grandest natural attraction. ‘Taroko,’ which means ‘magnificent and beautiful’ in the language of the native Truku tribe, is a fitting description. Taroko Gorge is an impressive geological mass of cliffs, canyons, and ravines, with mountain peaks rising 10,000 feet above the sea.

The Taroko National Park covers over 120,000 hectares with multiple roads and pathways for visitors to explore either by bus or by foot. This 1-day guided tour will take you to all the major attractions without exhausting you.

Day Tour from Hualien: Taroko National Park

Quingshi Cliff

Most tourists skip over Quingshi Cliff to head straight to the main gorge; you’ll instantly see why you shouldn’t do the same. Your bus will park by the north of the Chongde Tunnel, close to an observation deck where you’ll see a 21-km cliff stretch jutting out of Mt. Quingshi to overlook the sea. Within a single photo frame, capture the earth sky, and sea as Mt. Quingshi rises from the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean before disappearing into the clouds.

Swallow Grotto

On the trail to Swallow Grotto, the first thing you’ll hear isn’t the birds—it’s the river. Over the years, Liwu River’s erosive current has carved out deep valleys and ravines across the park before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. As a result, a number of potholes formed into the marble cliffs, and swallow birds began nesting.

There are two suspension bridges nearby (only one is crossable) for you to walk. Get an up-close view of Taroko’s most dramatic land formations; Some bends are only a meter wide, giving you sheer cliff to the left, and a 400-meter drop to the right. If you want a different experience, try your hand at river tracing: an outdoor activity where travelers wade, climb, and trek through the river.

Eternal Spring Shrine

Your next stop will be to the Eternal Spring Shrine, a sobering historical monument amidst all the natural beauty. Often mistaken for a temple, the shrine is a memorial built in honor of 212 construction workers who died during highway construction. A natural spring of water cascades from below the shrine, draining into the Liwu River.

Shakadang Trail

After a series of overwhelming sights and climbs, take a leisurely walk along the scenic, beginner-friendly Shakadang Trail. But while the trial is just a steady climb, be sure to watch your head. The mountain sides just out at odd angles, like a massive tower of jenga. You’ll pass ‘Beware: Falling Rocks’ signs every few meters.

Unlike the wild and rapid Liwu River, the Shakadang Stream is much calmer and gentler. Its brilliant, turquoise waters snake around marble boulders and lush vegetation.

Unique to this trail is that it passes through a Truku tribal village And while visitors are prohibited from going to grounds, there is a small stall that sells indigenous crafts and delicacies.

If you want to see more of Taroko National Park, check out our other similar tours:

Visit these 5 Stunning National Parks in Korea This Fall

Fall is the perfect time to trade the dull office grey for the bright colours of the province. Drink in the autumn air and add some colour to your life (and Instagram feed) and spend the day touring and hiking Korea’s National Parks. Here’s a quick list of places to go and things to do in Korea this fall season!

Naejangsan National Park: Go Hiking

If you’ve only got a day outside of Seoul, go here. Mt. Naejangsan, which loosely translates to ‘many secrets in the mountain’, is a year-round natural marvel, but it’s especially lovely in the fall.

The cool autumn weather makes for a perfect day of hiking, where you can uncover the park’s hidden wonders. Across its spider web of trails, you’ll stumble upon myth-like waterfalls, sacred temples, and lush forests. Take the park’s cable car and marvel a the autumn carpet of reds and orange from above.

Fall in Korea: Naejangsan National Park Cable Car Ride

Seoraksan National Park: Have a picnic

At Mt. Seorak (from ‘Seol’ meaning ‘snow’ and ‘Ak’ meaning ‘big mountain’), fall and winter meet early to give visitors a breathtaking view: brightly colored leaves littering powder-white snow, with crystal clear ponds and streams cutting through.

In 1965, Seorak Mountain was designated a Natural Monument by the Korean government and in 1982, a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.

Everywhere you turn, the park is filled with odd rock formations, dense forests and interesting wildlife. Enjoy the fall afternoon with your friends and family with a picnic of homemade goodies and a bottle of meoruju, a traditional wild fruit wine.

Daedunsan National Park: Ride a Cable Car to the Top

What makes Daedunsan National Park particularly enchanting in the fall is the bare mountain. Rising from the lush forest is the overwhelming bareness of Mt. Daedun The craggy, stony cliffs are a stark contrast to the warm hues of the trees.

Drink in the autumn atmosphere when you take a cable car ride to the mountain peak. Our advice? Try to ride the cable car in the late afternoon, just as the sun sets and the sky turns the same color as the leaves.

Fall in Korea: Daedunsan National Park Cable Car Ride

Gingko Forest: Have Afternoon Tea

For a truly rare sight this autumn, head to Korea’s Gingko Forest this October. For most of the year, the forest is closed off to tourists and visitors. But for around three weeks, the park opens to the public. catch rows of some 2,000 Gingko trees turn into a brilliant golden yellow.

After exploring the yellow forest, sit down with your friends and family for some afternoon tea at the Millennium Tea House.

Odaesan National Park: Relive Your Favorite Scenes from Goblin

Who could forget the tragic love affair between Kim Shin and Ji Eun-tak? The hit Korean Drama, ‘Goblin: The Great and Lonely God’ took us on a roller coaster of emotions. The show was shot all over Korea (and you can visit those spots with KKday!), including Odaesan National Park. Even during the quiet moments where they stroll through the autumn leaves, our hearts were reeling.

Stroll through the fir tree paths, just like Goblin and his bride. Even if you aren’t a fan of the Kdrama, the fall leaves of Odaesan National Park are sure to bring out your inner romantic.

Korea is full of post-card ready landscapes and scenery; it would be a shame if you spend the season locked away in your house of office. Book your fall adventure with us today!

15 Things to Do in Taiwan

Ten years ago, less imaginative writers wrote off Taiwan as a ‘Miniature China.’ The description has long outlived its usefulness, let alone its accuracy. Today, Taiwan is a vibrant and dynamic nation that thrives on diversity. No list will ever be definitive, but here’s our take on the 15 Things to Do in Taiwan.

Sights

Visit the Muzha Tea Plantations

Taipei, Taiwan: Muzha Tea Plantations — Each tea variety is produced through a delicate roasting process for a flavourful brew.

Asians are predominantly tea drinkers, and few have a more discerning palette than the Taiwanese. The Muzha Tea Plantations are expansive and aromatic, with vibrant temples and teahouses scattered about, and are best seen through a gondola lift. Visit Three Stone Teapot Museum to witness artisan teapot and tea making ceremony, and sample a variety of Tieguanyin (“iron goddess of mercy”), the local specialty.

Ride the Alishan Forest Railway

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the cherry blossoms blooming.

To efficiently forest off the large cedar trees, the Japanese built an impressive narrow-gauge train. Today, logging has since ended and the government has granted the Alishan Forest national protection, but the Railway, remains the best way to appreciate. Catch the train before dawn and witness the villages, waterfalls, and high altitude tea plantations baked in the warm glow of the sunrise.

Book a tour of the Alishan Forest Railway over here.

Trek up Taroko Gorge

Hualient, Taiwan: Taroko Gorge — “Taroko” means “magnificent and beautiful” in the language of the nearby Truku tribe

It’s the rugged and intimidating terrain that draws travelers to hike up some highest peaks in Asia. With certain bends only a meter wide, it’s sheer cliff to your left and a 400 meter drop on your right. The sights are just as dramatic as the climb itself, Taroko Gorge is best experienced through River Tracing: an outdoor activity where travelers wade, climb, and trek through the rivers.

Schedule your climb with us over here.

Climb to the top of Taipei 101

Taipei, Taiwan: Taipei 101 — The bamboo shadow moves like a clock hand over the city of Taipei .

At 101 floors, the skyscraper is both an architectural gem and engineering feat. The number eight—for good fortune and prosperity—is a recurring architectural theme, and there is no mistaking the unique silhouette this creates: Taipei 101 defines the Taiwan skyline as a bamboo, a symbol of growth. Climb to the very top in one of the world’s fastest elevators and linger for an afternoon; the shadow it casts creates a natural sundial over the landscaped park.

See the Taipei city skyline today when you book here.

Arts, Culture, and History

History Lessons at the National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum houses over 8,000 years of Chinese history and sits as a quiet testament to Taiwan’s complex political climate.

Taipei, Taiwan: National Palace Museum — The National Palace Museum of Taiwan houses some of the world’s finest archives in calligraphy, porcelain, and art.

It begins at the Forbidden City, where the Imperial Family kept dynasties’ worth of treasures dating back to the Song dynasty. Between 1937 and 1949, over 600,000 pieces were bounced around the country, constantly evading the devastation of war—first the Japanese, and then the Chinese Civil War. Many historians claim that not a single artifact was lost along the 20-year journey.

See the collection yourself when you book with us today over here!

Pray for Good Fortune at the Xingtian Temple

Taipei, Taiwan: Xingtian Temple — The incense is said to drive away evil spirits. (Photo credit: lyng883)

For wealth and prosperity: Draw a bamboo fortune, toss wooden jiaobei blocks for your answers, offer whatever food you have on hand, and pray. Xingtian Temple is consistently frequented by visitors seeking divine guidance. You’ll leave the temple with the scent of incense lingering on your clothes; the scent is meant to drive away evil spirits. Keep some of this luck with by purchasing a small, fragrant blessing bag from any of the fortune-telling street vendors.

Catch a live show at The Red House Theatre

Taipei, Taiwan: The Red House Theatre — Red House Theater remains the heart of the Ximendeng District (Photo credit: Nicolas Lannuzel)

Ximendeng’s true personality can be found not on the streets, but on the stage. Its oldest and most prominent building is The Red House Theatre, which has undergone its own set of cultural transformations. It’s donned the face of a marketplace, an opera house, a live performance, and a movie theatre. Today, it’s all these things at once: a multifunctional cultural centre that regularly hosts live performances and exhibitions. See the energy spill over to the entire district; every street hosts either a small concert, a live performance, or a stall of handmade jewelry.

Release a sky lantern at the Pingxi Railway Tracks

New Taipei, Taiwan: Pingxi Sky Lanterns — The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is typically celebrated at the start of the Spring Harvest Season (Photo credit: Jirka Matousek)

According to folklore, the sky lanterns were originally meant to transmit coded military information. Then they were used to send messages to the beloved deceased. While locals and visitors send up their lanterns year-round, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival at Chinese New Year is a truly moving experience. Thousands of attendees release their paper lanterns adorned with hopes, dreams, and prayers into the night sky, nearly outnumbering the stars.

Release your own sky lantern with KKday.

Witness Aboriginal Culture Day

Taichung, Taiwan: Aboriginal Culture Day — The Taiwanese continue to remain connected to their Aboriginal roots

The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village gives visitors a glimpse of the colourful indigenous Taiwanese culture. Experience the basket weaving and wood carving, and watch stunning performances of ritual dances to the sound of live music. The best way to reach the Culture Village is through the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, a 7-minute ropeway ride which treats visitors to the incredible view of Sun Moon Lake.

Witness the Aboriginal culture and more here with KKday!

Food and Shopping

Street eats at Yongkang

Taipei, Taiwan: Yongkang Street — Keep exploring Yongkang Street and work up an appetite for dessert.

Skip the snaking lines for xiao long bao and mango shaved ice and venture for the more exotic dishes. Yongkang Street is packed with everything from sophisticated restaurants serving classic and fusion Taiwanese dishes, to novelty cafes and food stalls that cater to the more experimental and adventurous palette.

Native Delights at Hualien

Hualien, Taiwan: Street Food Stalls — This charming county is teeming with all sorts of native delights (Photo credit: billy1125)

Most people come to Hualien for the incredible natural sights, but Hualien also plays host to some of the most authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Replenish yourself after hiking the trails of Taroko Gorge, taste a generations-kept family recipe with Hai Pu Oyster Omlette, cure your sushi fix at the Lai Sang Sushi House, and sample the local specialty Dai Ji Bian Shi’s dumpling soup. Still not satisfied? Check out our Ultimate Food Guide to Hualien, Taiwan.

Shop at the Shida Night Market

Taipei, Taiwan: Shida Night Mark — The Shida Night Market manages to keep up with its student crowd. (Photo credit: Harsha Goonewardana)

There are hundreds of marketplaces all over Taiwan, but the Shida Night Market, named after the nearby Shida University, has a personality all its own. Every street is bustling with youthful energy and creativity on a student budget, making it one of the best places in Taiwan to look for stylish, inexpensive fashion. Haggle your way to the perfect outfit, and use your spare change to sample all sorts of unique eats. Our advice? Go for the Shi Yun Fried Chicken and the Beigang Tofu Pudding, or check out our Shida Night Market Food Guide.

Activities

Get Spirited Away at Jiufen

Jiufen Old Street: The Grand Teahouse — Follow in Chihiro’s steps and visit The Grand Teahouse

The air in this quaint mountain village smells of flavorful tea. Hayao Miyazaki fans will recognize the winding cobblestone lanes and colourful town houses of Jiufen. Visit The Grand Teahouse and see where many authors, poets, and artists—Miyazaki included—come to work. Fancy yourself just a regular traveller? Spend the afternoon experiencing an authentic Taiwanese tea ceremony and sip your tea over the scenic view.

Experience the enchanting allure of Jiufen with KKday today by booking here.

Paraglide over Rift Valley

Bird’s eye view of the entire Eastern Coast of Taiwan

Hualien sits on the Eastern Coast of Taiwan, with some of the world’s highest sea cliffs, crystal blue-green rivers, and incredible coastlines. The standout sight is the East Rift Valley, named for the mountain range where the Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Very few places in the world allow you to go from marine tropics to alpine with just a day’s drive, but the best ways to truly drink in the sights is by paragliding. And while the you’ll only be in the air for fifteen minutes, there’s no better way to catch the sights.

Ready to conquer your fear of heights? Check it out over here.

Detox at the Wulai Hot Springs

Taiwan: Wulai Hot Springs — The springs are said to have relaxing and restorative powers (image via Pinterest)

According to the folklore, a member of the Aboriginal Atayal tribe stumbled upon the steaming hot springs and pronounced them dangerous. Now, the hot springs draw crowds worldwide for their relaxing and restorative powers in the middle of incredible mountain landscapes and sparkling rivers. Cap off your Taiwan trip with an aromatherapy session at Volando Urai Spring Spa & Resort, where you’ll be treated not only with quality service, but also delicious traditional food.

Book your spiritual spa experience with us today over here!

With its rich and complex history and unique geography, Taiwan has been described as a continent in a country. Keep coming back to this incredible country; You’ll never run out of things to do.

Still curious with what you can do? Check out our other Taiwan Travel guides:
>> Insta-Worthy Places in Yilan
>> 4 Not-so-common Things to Do in Taiwan
>> 5 Most Happening Bars for an Epic Night in Taipei

Browse more travel experiences in Taiwan here.