Now on its 7th year, SOS was launched in 2020 by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) to help resuscitate the local tourism industry that was badly hit by the pandemic.

The 2026 Summer Online Sale offers up to 70% off on hotel stays, dining, and vacation packages from 69 participating hotels and resorts around the Philippines. You get exclusive rates not offered on other travel sites and advanced booking advantage amid price uncertainty. “With prices expected to fluctuate due to global economic pressures, this is the best time to secure travel at significantly lower rates,” said HSMA President Loleth So.

This year’s SOS/ online travel fair started on April 24th and runs until May 24, 2026. Choose from an array of travel vouchers valid until 2027.

Participating HSMA locations include Alabang, BGC, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Clark, Davao, Iloilo, Makati, Manila, Palawan, Paranaque, Pasay, Rizal, and Tagaytay.

What I love best about the SOS/ online travel fair is that it doesn’t follow the traditional travel fair format where you have to go to a stressful, packed event in person at the malls or convention halls. Everything is easy to book online.

To purchase a voucher, just visit their website, hsma.org.ph/sos, click on the location and hotel of your choice, and choose from the discounted travel vouchers offered. Fill in the details and proceed to the payment page. After each transaction, check your email for your voucher. Then call or email the hotel or resort to book your stay using the voucher. Terms and conditions apply.

Hurry, the vouchers are selling fast!

The post Get Up to 70% Off at the Philippines’ Biggest Travel Sale appeared first on Kate Was Here.

Malipaya Domes and Villa is a Filipino-run, family-owned vacation rental property on the beachfront of Siargao. They opened the domes just last year, while the sprawling villa was recently launched. They’re one of the few accommodations that offer glamping in Siargao.

The resort name is a spin on the Visayan word “malipayon,” which means happiness, and that’s exactly what you get when you book a stay here.

In search of Siargao’s perfect beachfront

In the surfing capital of Siargao, beachfront is such a loosely used term. There are a number of hotels and accommodations that match the description of the place, that the beach is right in front of the property. For others, the truth is stretched out because the said beach is a walk away. For some, the beach is more of crushed corals and stones than fine white sand. I’ve also seen Siargao beachfronts that are full of rocky formations and not the flat, sandy type that most tourists prefer.

 

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In Malipaya, the sprawling property is as breathtaking as the photos and reels—even better. The beachfront is just as they describe it. It goes from low tide to high tide throughout the day, with its peak during the romantic sunset. The domes and villa all have five-star amenities, tempting you to stay in all day.

Malipaya’s glamping domes

There are five glamping domes in Malipaya, but if you want to be closest to the beach, ask for dome #1, where I stayed for a night. I fell asleep and woke up to the sound of the ocean. Coming from my bustling, anxiety-ridden, social-media-driven lifestyle in Manila, I had the best eight-hour sleep of my life in Malipaya’s dome.

Each dome is 30 sqm and is fully air-conditioned. It has two queen beds, a big private bathroom with a wardrobe space, a flat screen TV, a safety deposit box, and an indoor kitchenette with a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee nook. The lanai has a dining area and dish washing area. There’s a picturesque pool area just for the dome dwellers.

The dome is best for couples, a small group of three to four, or even weary solo backpackers/ flashpackers like myself who like to save their final night—and last budget stretch—for a private accommodation.

Each dome is ₱5,950 per night for up to four guests.

View from inside the dome

Dome lanai and dining area

Villa vibes

For bigger groups of up to 20 guests, the private villa is on the further end of the property. It has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a fully functioning kitchen (for both cooking and baking!), dining area, smart coffee maker, big fridge, lanai, lounge, and a private pool overlooking the beach.

Each villa bedroom has its own safety deposit box, bathroom, safety deposit boxes, kitchenette, smart TV, and fridge.

The entire villa is over 500 sqm. The six-room villa must be booked as a whole, so it’s best for combined families, companies, and big groups. Rooms #1-2 have one queen bed each, while rooms #3-6 are loft-types with two beds and one sofa. I stayed in the villa with fellow creators for two nights. Each room has a bathroom, plus an extra shared bathroom in the dining area. There’s a beach shower near the shore.

The villa rate is ₱40,000 per night for up to 20 guests.

Extra perks

Guests of both the domes and villa have access to Malipaya’s recreational activities, such as board games and sports equipment for pedal boating, spikeball, badminton, and yoga.

While the resort has no official café or restaurant, you’re free buy your own groceries and whip something up in the kitchen. They’ve also partnered with food-delivery services around the island, such as Siargao Books Café, to deliver food and drinks to Malipaya’s guests. Just browse through the menus at the dining area and call the corresponding numbers.

There’s an assigned butler for every group that stays in the villa. You could task him to purchase drinks and groceries for you from the lobby and nearby stores. In our case, we had the courteous Kuya Ruben, who made sure everything in the villa was to our liking.

Motorbike rentals can get booked pretty fast in Siargao, especially during peak season, so you can ask for help from Malipaya’s front desk or lobby. They booked my bike days ahead of my arrival.

Sweet escape

This trip wasn’t my first time in Siargao, so I no longer felt the need to book a stay in the busy, party zone of General Luna. And with my own motorbike, I could get around faster.

Staying in Malipaya for the last leg of my Siargao trip was just what the doctor ordered. With a view this great and amenities so luxurious, I almost forgot about the rest of the island… almost! Of course I still explored the rest of Siargao, but it was nice to know that I could easily motorbike back to my own of piece of paradise tucked away from the crowd.

Malipaya Domes and Villa is located at Tourism Road, Bongayon, Purok Uno, General Luna, Surigao del Norte. Book via Agoda (Discount code: REPLIKATE), Booking, Klook Hotels (Discount code: REPLIKATEKLOOK), and Cloudbeds. For more info, visit Malipaya’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The post Escape to Malipaya, Siargao’s Glamping Beachfront appeared first on Kate Was Here.

It all boils down to the types of underwear you choose. Here are my tried-and-tested tips for packing travel underwear.

 

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1. For airports or sleeping, it’s always comfort over fashion—relaxed- to loose-fitting, breathable, and cotton undies.

2. For daytime to nighttime travel, I like a mix of comfort and fashion. I always choose seamless cuts that go with all types of bottoms, whether tight-fit or loose.

3. For the material, I prefer thin, breathable fabrics that are easy to hand-wash and dry, which is why I often don’t over-pack undies because I know I can just easily launder the ones I chose to bring.

4. I pack only black and nude to brown undies as they go with my usual wardrobe palette. The whites are harder to wash, while the bright colored fabrics are not as versatile to coordinate with my capsule wardrobe, so I leave those at home.

5. I make sure I pack three types of cuts/styles. For panties, I bring at least one high waist, one boyleg cut, and one bikini or hipster cut. For bras, I bring one t-shirt bra or support bra, one seamless or comfort-style bra, and one sporty-style bra.

I recently discovered Herah, an affordable, inclusive innerwear brand that has all the types of underwear that I need for travel. Check out my capsule wardrobe and their corresponding underwear to give you ideas on the best types of travel underwear to pack on your next vacation.

Airport

Whether it’s a short or long flight, local or international, I prefer to wear loose, comfy pants and a tank top with seamless, cotton underwear. Bra tops are also great!

Herah Bra Top with Built-In Pads in Stripes, ₱649
Herah Cotton Seamless High Waist Panty in Midnight, ₱219

Beach

My go-to beach look: breezy shorts and a loose, breathable white blouse, which I can wear with any swimwear or seamless undies that can pass as a bikini set if you’re just lounging around.

Herah Mesh Bra with 3D Hold in Midnight, ₱649
Herah Ultra Soft Boy Leg Panty in Midnight, ₱179

City Tour

For long day trips or city tours, a more polished look like this matching blazer jacket and high waist shorts look great in photos. Pair it with a neutral tank or a vest-like bra that can pass as a cropped top.

Herah Seamless Buckle Bra in Walnut, ₱599
Herah Seamless High Waist Panty in Walnut, ₱219

Adventure

I love hiking and exploring the great outdoors, so a breathable pair of cycling shorts and sports bra with an emergency hoodie is a easy look to pull off.

Herah Seamless Cycling Shorts in Midnight, ₱449
Herah Seamless Vest Bra in Midnight, ₱549
Herah Ultra Thin Seamless High Waist Panty in Black, ₱199
Herah Boyfriend Fleece Zip-Up Hoodie, ₱1,299

Shop Herah on sayherah.com, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.

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When I found out that Sandbox Collective is producing the 2026 run of Spring Awakening in Manila, you best believe I had high expectations. How can they make it relatable to the progressive Gen Z crowd? Now that I’m at the age of the parental characters, will I relate to them more than the teens? Will it still have the poetic magic like the first time I watched?

Set in 19th-century Germany, Spring Awakening is a contemporary rock musical based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial play of the same name. It tells the stories of young teenagers, roughly 14 to 15 years old, exploring their sexualities and rapidly changing bodies in a rigid, conservative society. As they seek answers to the mysteries of life, it proves challenging in the face of uncommunicative parents and a strict, sexually repressed society.

 

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The musical’s songs were composed by American singer and songwriter Duncan Sheik, who elder millennials like myself remember best for his hit 1996 debut single, “Barely Breathing.” The book and lyrics are by Steven Sater.

This marks the fourth time Spring Awakening is produced in Manila—2009 was under Atlantis, while 2013 and 2019 were for Ateneo’s Blue Rep—all of which I wasn’t able to watch. This 2026 version is under the direction of Nikolai Pamintuan.

I was invited to Sandbox’s press preview and gala night on February 12, the night before their official opening. I was seated at VIP CF4 at the back.

Like a Secret Tavern

Wika Nadera’s set design and D Cortezano’s lighting design maximized the intimate space. The gloomy, multi-layered stage made use of moving sets and props, including a cross-shaped structure and a standout tree trunk with its roots dangling from the upper level. The latter to me symbolized the core of the script—that there’s more than meets the eye when dealing with teen issues. Reddit reviewers have their own unique theories about the tree, which were fun to read. And while there’s talk of spring and summer amongst the teens, the mood feels anything but. Instead, there’s a feeling of biting cold and desolation, which is telling of the tragic tale that’s about to unfold.

Unlike other productions that conceal the orchestra, this one led by musical director Ejay Yatco was strategically placed in a cavern-like spot on the stage, blending in with the cast while they performed. As soon as the smooth, first notes hit, it gave me the vibe of discovering an underground jazz club.

Act I began with Sheena Belarmino as the lead, Wendla Bergmann, performing a solo version of “Mama Who Bore Me,” one of the musical’s hit tracks, which was first performed by Lea Michele (opposite Jonathan Groff) in 2006 pre-Glee. Wendla is undergoing changes in her body, and while she expresses endless curiosity, she remains ignorant about puberty due to her mother’s refusal to discuss sex and a woman’s anatomy. Belarmino got the innocence and naive arc down pat, a refreshing change from her more feisty roles in the past (Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal and Ensemble in Bar Boys).

When the rest of the female cast entered to join her in singing the reprise, they harmonized so well that it gave me that same rush I felt the first time I watched this musical 19 years ago when I realized that this play is edgier and different from the usual.

Each female character had their own momentary time to shine onstage with their own songs and storylines—Jam Binay as the free-spirited Ilse Neumann, Angia Laurel who debuts her deep, jazzy sound as Martha Bessell, while Mijon Cortez and Felicity Kyle Napuli as Anna and Thea are the two do-gooders of the bunch. Collectively, the girls have dark secrets to reveal.

I can’t say the same for the boys when it was their turn to band together for the first time and sing “The B*tch of Living,” another track that Spring fans love and memorize. But what they lacked in vocal harmonizing, they made up for in their individual characters.

Nacho Tambunting as the lead Melchior Gabor ticked off everything you need from a high school heartthrob, whatever the era—handsome, intelligent without trying too hard, brash, rebellious, and knows a little more about life than his innocent peers. His angelic voice and intonation made him a great dreamboat.

However, I’m surprised that during that infamous scene (will not spoil it completely) of Wendla and Melchior, the direction did not go full risqué the way the original Broadway production did or even the 2009 Atlantis version. The shock value of that provocative scene was one of the factors that made Spring Awakening explode in Broadway 20 years ago, so I wonder why this version toned it down.

As for Nic Chien as Moritz Stiefel, I know there are naysayers who think that his one foot in the door is simply due to nepotism (The meaning has been loosely used these days). He is the only child of the Lea Salonga, after all. I didn’t catch Nic as Jack in 2025’s Into The Woods (Tickets were sold out fast), so watching him do a full performance in Spring was a pleasant introduction to his burgeoning talent. Aside from proudly representing the trans community, he did so well not just with his vocal chops, but in giving depth to the disturbed but misunderstood Moritz, making him more than just the socially awkward, bumbling typecast. His pairing with Ilse makes for a great B-story, though it’s a shame her manic-pixie ways are not enough to lure our dear Moritz. (Read my Smile Mag feature on Nic here.)

 

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Side note: Before they even held auditions for Spring in Manila, I had three actors in mind for the cast— Sheena Belarmino, Vino Mabalot, and Omar Uddin, but I was wrong about the roles I predicted for them.

Vino would have been a shoo-in for Moritz, but I can understand the producers’ decision to cast him instead as Otto Lämmermeier, giving him a chance to try something outside of the usual dark characters he’s used to portraying (like Gabe Goodman in Next To Normal and Fonzy in Tabing Ilog). He still shined as Otto, a teen struggling with confusing feelings, all while trying to be noticed by a girl from school.

As for the remaining male cast—Angelo Martinez as Hänschen Rilow, Elian Dominguez as Ernst Röbel, Davy Narciso as Georg Zirschnitz, and Lance Soliman and Gabo Tiongson as male swings—they all committed to their roles and endless energy, bringing to the surface the teens’ varying inner struggles.

Some scenes are immersive, where characters would sit in intentionally empty seats at the front row or dance in the aisles. That made me realize that my seat at the back was the best spot where I could view everything without being in the midst of it all. As an introvert (ambivert), I do not like being too close to performing actors in black box spaces.

 

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Seasoned thespian Audie Gemora played the adult male characters, seamlessly jumping from one to another, some more menacing and traumatizing than the others, as the story calls for them to be. His breaking into dance to be one with the teens in one scene was a riot! The adult female characters are portrayed by Ana Abad Santos, and this marks her return to the stage after a 10-year hiatus. It’s like she never left, easily switching accents and traits.

While the plot is set in 1890s Germany, the only elements telling of that era are the lack of modern science and technology, the subjects tackled in school, and the characters’ costumes created by Raven Ong. I feel that’s a good direction—to not blatantly make you feel like you’ve time-traveled to 1890, because the struggles of the characters—such as the lack of sex education, lack of mental health awareness, and lack of communication between children and adults—could easily represent any of the last few decades, even the present year of 2026.

Pamintuan himself said that the story mirrors the oppressive ideas our society continues to grapple with, so this was communicated to the audience well.

The Duncan Sheik Magic

Each time the cast broke out into a song, it’s like you’re momentarily pulled out of that time period and into a stylized music video, where the energetic, angst-driven teens are jumping up and down the stage (to the point that you feel the floor and seats vibrating, which some people did not like). But for the uninitiated, you have to understand that the tantrum-like stomping and jumping has been a signature choreography of the musical since 2006. It symbolizes the protest against a rigid institution.

The poetic contemporary lyrics (My favorite is “I go up to my room, turn the stereo on, shoot up some you, and the you is a song” from “My Junk”) will cater to teens experiencing their own conundrums and awakenings, full-grown adults who remember their own “purple summer,” and most of all, elder millennials like myself who were old enough to experience Duncan Sheik’s alternative music in the mid-90s.

 

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Swipe to photo #12

Aside from the play’s rock anthem songs like “My Junk,” “Totally F*cked,” and “The B*tch of Living,” Sheik also wrote songs with more bluesy, ballad-like elements, such as “Don’t Do Sadness,” “I Believe,” and “Blue Wind.”

I’d love to watch again, this time with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the adult woman, Onyl Torres as the adult man, Omar Uddin as Moritz, and Alex Diaz as Melchior.

The New Black Box

Spring in Manila is also the inaugural show of The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati. For longtime theater fans who have experienced the not-so-pleasant acoustics of other notorious black box venues in Manila, we fervently hoped this new venue would not give us the same issues.

So did it deliver? More of a yes than a no. Whichever part of the venue you’re seated in, you will clearly hear the right balance of acoustics—a big relief for those who have waited with bated breath. Even when the mics momentarily conked out, you could hear the enunciation of the actors. The only big issue is that during press preview night, the neighboring theater had rehearsals for a concert, and we could hear some thumps and muffled sounds bleeding into the black box during quiet scenes.

As for the few mic hiccups, as a theater reviewer who watches tech runs and press previews, I always give that extra leeway and chalk it up to last-minute notes that need to be ironed out before the first official run. We’ll have to ask second-week viewers if these mic issues have been addressed.

Totally F*cked

Some may wonder why Spring Awakening does not have the traditional character arcs and resolutions. Catchy songs aside, the overall script is dark, looming, and depressing. After the tragedies are revealed, it’s only in the sun-kissed scene and hopeful tune of “The Song of Purple Summer” at the end of Act II that we get some reprieve. But the play mostly shows us issues experienced by teens, such as mental health problems, suicide, sexual exploration, queer sexuality, puberty, and even abuse, without completely discussing it or providing resolution—because that’s what they did during that era. They hid everything under the rug, or for a more apt metaphor, they buried it under the ground. And if you look at the succeeding generations until today, that’s what most of society is still doing. Are we stuck in the 1890s? Rhetorical question.

When I first watched Spring Awakening in 2007, I loved it for its radical, uncomfortable, and disturbing take on teen angst, but I too was quite naive during that time. Now that I’m a mental health advocate with more self-awareness and maturity, I see Spring Awakening with both empathy and anger. It’s still as radical as the first time I watched, but this time the need for advocacy is communicated loud and clear. Sorry, fellow adults, but I’m still on the side of the teens—especially for their need to be heard and understood.

Sandbox’s version is an angry outburst against the rigid institution, and more importantly, a conversation starter for issues and topics that no longer wish to be brushed aside—with a killer soundtrack to boot.

Spring Awakening runs until March 22, 2026, at The Black Box at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati. It runs for approximately 2&1/2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are available via ticket2me.net and The Sandbox Collective. Talkbacks are available for VIP ticket holders.

Cast: Alex Diaz and Nacho Tambunting as Melchior, Sheena Belarmino as Wendla, Omar Uddin andNic Chien as Moritz, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Ana Abad Santos as adult women, Audie Gemora and Onyl Torres as adult men, Angelo Martinez as Hänschen, Vino Mabalot as Otto, Jam Binay as Ilse, Angia Laurel, Mijon Cortez, Felicity Kyle Napuli, Elian Dominguez as Ernst, Davy Narciso as Georg, Pappel and Nikki Bengzon as female swings, Lance Soliman and Gabo Tiongson as male swings

Creatives: Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan as director, Ejay Yatco as musical director, Nunoy Van Den Burgh as choreographer, Wika Nadera as set designer, Raven Ong as costume designer, Jaydee Jasa as hair and makeup designer, D Cortezano as lighting designer, Aron Roca as sound designer, Missy Maramara as intimacy director, Gabbi Campomanes as assistant director, Sheik Completado as technical director, and Salve Villarosa dramaturg

The post Spring Awakening in Manila is as Radical as The First Time appeared first on Kate Was Here.

When Google Philippines’ main office first opened in 2017, all eyes were on its interiors, which integrated Filipino cultural elements with modern aesthetics. Since the early 2010s, tech companies such as Google and Pixar have changed the game of office spaces. Inspired by Silicon Valley, modern offices were no longer drab spaces that sucked the life force out of their employees; they transformed into vibrant spaces with sweeping views, creative nooks, social hubs, and food and beverage spots.

Google brought that same energy to the PH headquarters located on the 38th floor of the Seven NEO building (formerly Net Park) in Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

I manifested that I would one day tour the Google PH HQ, and that day finally came! On February 10th, which is Safer Internet Day 2026, I was invited to Google PH HQ to learn about their latest tools and tips to help Filipinos stay safe online and avoid scams.

The initiative was called “sA Internet, Ingat!” (“Take Care on the Internet!”) as Google PH rolled out their latest updates to fight both humman- and AI‑powered threats.

Scroll through my photos of my tour of the Google PH HQ while I share the latest internet safety tips I learned that day.

1. Brush up on cybercrime terminology.

Just when I thought I knew enough internet safety terms and abbreviations, last week was the first time I heard about:

Keystroke logging, the act of recording or “logging” every keystroke made on a computer or mobile device, often without the user’s knowledge, to steal sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers. It’s implemented via malware.

Brushing, where you receive a package you didn’t order, thanks to a third-party seller that used your name and address to create fake “verified” product reviews to boost their sales. While it seems like you’re getting free stuff, it can lead to unauthorized charges and your compromised info.

Being updated on cybercrime news helps you keep an eye out for scams, which evolve fast.

2. Ask Google to check your shady messages.

Anyone with a smartphone has probably noticed the influx of SMS and social media DMs from scammers pretending to be your bank, telecom company, a romantic suitor, or even a trusted friend or relative. Google Lens and Circle to Search now act as scam detectors. Android users can circle the text (Circle to Search), while iPhone users can screenshot the questionable message and scan it with Lens. Either way, Google will flag it if it’s a scam.

3. Theft Detection Lock for Android

An Android upgrade is the Theft Detection Lock, which uses on-device AI and motion sensors to instantly lock your screen if it detects a snatch-and-run motion (i.e., when your phone is pickpocketed while traveling or commuting), preventing data access.

4. Failed Authentication Lock

Another Android upgrade is the Failed Authentication Lock setting, which locks your phone screen after repeated failed authentication attempts. This was rolled out last year, but Google added a dedicated enable/disable toggle alongside Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock. There’s also an increased lockout time after failed attempts to guess your PIN, pattern, or password.

5. Biometric Identity Check

Google also expanded its Biometric Identity Check, the theft-protection feature that asks for biometrics (fingerprint, face) when you’re performing sensitive actions (ex. changing PINs and accessing bank apps) outside of your trusted locations. It prevents unauthorized access even if a thief knows your PIN.

6. Adjust your kids’ screen times and content controls.

Kids are prone to scams and predators online, though I’m one of the many who will argue that it’s the boomers that we need to keep an extra eye on. If you have kids, use Family Link to adjust your kids’ screen times and content controls. This Google app has been around for a while, but last year, they added the School Time mode for Android phones and tablets to limit distractions during school hours.

Also try the YouTube Shorts Timer, which lets parents set specific time limits for short-form video consumption—even setting it to zero during homework and study time.

7. Know that we are all susceptible to online scams.

Even the top employees of Google PH and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have shared stories of being scammed. It happens to the best of us, so don’t feel bad if you’ve been scammed.

8. If it’s too good to be true, it’s most likely a scam.

Banks urging you to claim ₱10,000 worth of credit card points that are about to expire? Shady! A random guy appears out of nowhere to romance you via social media and Telegram messages? Oh please! If your gut is telling you it’s too good to be true, then it most likely is! Searching and verifying won’t hurt. Visit the Facebook pages of your telecom and banks. The latest online scams are usually pinned on their pages. Dig up Reddit forums on scams.

9. SIFT.

Distinguishing human-led content from AI-generated media is a critical skill that even I, the journalist and digital nomad, am not 100% an expert in.

Google recommends the SIFT method—Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims—to evaluate online information. To support this, Google offers About this Image, a search tool that provides context on where an image originated, and SynthID, technology that embeds digital watermarks into AI-generated content to help identify deepfakes and manipulated media.

10. Save the Philippine cybercrime hotline to your phone.

In case you get scammed online, call the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center’s 24/7 hotline, 1326. Even if the scam attempt failed, you may still report the numbers, usernames, or accounts. According to Usec. Aboy Paraiso of CICC, they encourage Filipinos to report everything, even small scams, because the modi are constantly evolving. “We see the number of scams going down, but we also see the scammers pivoting and adopting new technology in order to perpetrate their scams,” he said.

Have you ever been scammed online? Tell me your story! My last one was when I was in Bangkok. Read what happened here.

What are your top tips for keeping safe online?

The post Touring the Google PH HQ on Safer Internet Day appeared first on Kate Was Here.

Nestled in Chiayi County and bordering Nantou County, Alishan (阿里山 or Mt. Ali) is Taiwan’s famous mountain resort and nature reserve, where locals and expats go for a weekend getaway or a longer hiatus. Due to the high altitude, the temperature in Alishan is typically about 10 degrees cooler than in the main cities of Taiwan.

This alpine destination is renowned for its natural, cultural, and historical attractions, including misty forests, ancient cypress trees, oolong tea plantations, and the sea of clouds overlooking Yushan, Taiwan’s tallest mountain. Its most notable attraction is the Alishan Forest Railway, an 86-km network of narrow-gauge railways constructed by the Japanese colonial government in 1904 (although some articles suggest 1912) for the logging of cedar and cypress.

Having visited Alishan and ridden this train, I say the similarity ends with the main locomotive being red and gliding through a misty forest. In fact, the current Alishan tourist train service runs on diesel. They no longer use steam locomotives a la Hogwarts or Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train, which was used for filming that iconic scene. As for TikTok insisting that it feels like being in the wizarding world, I contend that Alishan has its own distinct magic. Watch my Alishan reel.

Red Train vs. Wooden Train

The famous red train of Alishan is what you’ll often see online, but there’s a second version that off-the-beaten-path travelers aim to catch—the wooden, vintage train, which runs only every Wednesday. I only found out about the wooden train long after my Alishan trip. Had I known and if I had more time to prepare, I would’ve aimed for a two-day trip where I could experience both trains.

Day Trip vs. Overnight Trip and DIY vs. Organized Tour

To fully immerse in Alishan’s nature and history, staying a night or two is the best way to go. For tourists on a tight schedule, a day trip to Alishan will suffice, but you will miss out on certain attractions, such as the sea of clouds before sunrise.

A DIY trip (whether overnight, multi-day, or day trip) to Alishan from its neighboring counties is possible, but according to travelers who have done so, it’s challenging and complicated. For tips on organizing a DIY Alishan trip, I recommend reading the articles of my favorite Taiwan-based bloggers, Nick Kembel and The Taiwanderers. You’ll need to extensively plan your itinerary, study the train schedules, book your hotel early (as they sell out weeks before the holidays and peak season), and prepare for many possible contingencies along the way.

If you’re willing to shell out more for an organized trip, you may book my trusted tour organizers—Klook, Get Your Guide, KKDay, and Viator.

My travel style is usually DIY backpacker, but with only a few days left in Kaohsiung, I booked a hassle-free day trip to Alishan via Klook.

Book An Organized Trip to Alishan

• Alishan Day Tour from Taichung, Chiayi, or Kaohsiung (This is the one I booked!)
• Alishan Day Tour or Multi-Day Tour from Taichung
• Two-Day Alishan and Chiayi Tour From Taipei
• Alishan Day Tour or Multi-Day Tour from Chiayi

 

Alishan Day Trip Highlights

Our pickup point was at the HSR Zuoying Station. Our van departed at 8am. We had a stopover at the Longyin Temple overlooking the Tian Chang and Di Jiou Bridges in Chiayi County, Fanlu Township, at around 9:30am. We had another stopover at Zhengwang Tea Factory, one of the oolong tea shops near the famous Tea and Mist Trail in Chiayi.

Side note: Organized day trips are notorious for extra stopovers where you’re invited (but not forced) to buy souvenirs or local produce. Some travelers abhor this tourism practice, while the rest of us don’t mind.

At 11:30am, we finally arrived at the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area for a tourist briefing and quick lunch break at the Alishan Market District before starting our hike, covering the following highlights:

Zhaoping Station

Also called Jhaoping or Chaoping, this station in Alishan first opened in 1914. Here you’ll find several locomotive relics from back when the station was a bustling hub for the logging industry.

Alishan Hiking Trails

There are several trails to choose from when exploring Mt. Ali. There’s the easy, scenic Shuishan Trail, highlighted by giant trees and the old railways. The Tashan Trail entails a longer, more challenging out-and-back trail with steep sections. The Alishan Forest Park Loop covers the main recreation area. Visit the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office or All Trails for a guide to Alishan’s trails.

Our guide didn’t specify which exact trail we followed, but looking back, it felt like a combination of the Tashan Trail and Alishan Forest Park Loop.

Forest Bathing

I’m a believer in the Japanese practice of forest bathing, where grounding and immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere promotes well-being. In Alishan, the forest vegetation is a mix of bamboo groves, India-charcoal trema, camphor, ring-cupped oak, Formosan red cypress, Taiwan cypress, spruce, and hemlock trees. Together, they release phytoncides, a distinct forest aroma said to reduce stress and boost human immune function. Red train aside, forest bathing in Alishan was the top highlight of my day trip.

Sisters Ponds

Two tranquil alpine ponds—Elder Sister and Younger Sister—feature emerald green waters surrounded by the Autumn mist (I was there in November). As of publishing this blog, Alishan is experiencing snow for the first time since 2018.

The Four Sisters

This clump of trees has an interesting backstory: After the main cypress tree was cut down, nearby cypress seeds fell into the cracks of the stump. The stump supplied nutrients, allowing the seeds to sprout four seedlings, which eventually grew into four clumped trees now known as The Four Sisters.

Magnolia Garden

After walking down the trail from Sisters Ponds, we emerged in a picturesque open space with year-round blossoming Magnolia flowers. I was here in the autumn. Coming during the winter, summer, or spring season will give you a different vibe. The cherry blossom season (March to April) is always packed with tourists.

Alishan Shouzhen Temple

At 2,150 meters, the Shouzhen Temple is the largest in the Alishan area. It enshrines the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven as its main deity. The Taoist temple stands between the Sacred Tree and the Chaoping Station. It’s next to a rest area full of shops and snack bars selling local delicacies, such as Alishan wasabi, oolong tea, tea eggs, bamboo shoots, millet zongzi, and smoked wild boar sausages.

Cedar and Cypress Trees

The ancient Taiwan red cypresses (Shenmu) are the famous giants in the Alishan National Forest. The popular trails will lead you to these breathtaking landmarks, such as the Xianglin Sacred Tree, which replaced the original revered 3,000-year-old Sacred Tree that was felled in 1998 due to damage from lightning and storms.

A walk through the Giant Trees Boardwalk showcases other famous Taiwan red cypress trees and cedar trees. Your guide will stop at the popular ones to tell you the stories behind them. You’ll also find signages with English translations if you prefer reading at your own pace.

Sacred Tree Station

By 3pm, we arrived at the Sacred Tree Station (Shenmu), where you’ll find the social-media-famous red train. Did it remind me, the Potterhead, of entering Platform 9¾ before boarding the Hogwarts Express?? Absolutely not! Did riding on that vintage-looking, diesel-powered train as it chug-chug-chugged through the mist-filled forest make me feel like I was about to start my first school year as a wizard? Still no!

But what it did make me feel was that I had time-traveled to the early decades of 20th-century Taiwan, back when trains symbolized modern technology and precious timber was transported from the Alishan mountains. It made me want to learn more about the culture and history of Taiwan’s highlands while sipping on a piping hot cup of oolong tea from a nearby tea farm. It made me want to learn more about the Tsou Tribe, Taiwan’s indigenous people who traditionally inhabited the Alishan Mountain and still reside there.

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Alishan Main Station

Our train ride ended at a foggy Alishan Station, where I made a beeline to the souvenir stamp station at the ticketing booth. Like Japan, Taiwan’s tourist spots offer free stamping stations for stamp rally (ink stamp) enthusiasts like myself. I’ll write about Taiwan’s stamp rallies in another blog post.

We wrapped up our overcast afternoon by exploring the souvenir shops and tea shops next to the station, where the magnets and other souvenirs were a bit overpriced.

At 5pm, we headed back to HSR Zuoying Station, with the same stopover at the Longyin Temple in Chiayi County.

Best Hotels in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

• Alishan Gou Hotel, near the Chaoping Station and Tashan Trail
• Alishan Hotel, which has four stars and is the most upscale of all the options there
• Dafeng Hotel, which is near the Alishan Bus Station
• Alishan Shermuh Hotel, a modern, three-star hotel
• Chinshan Hotel, which is near the Alishan Railway Station

 

Pros and Cons of the Alishan Day Trip

The biggest downside to booking just a day trip to Alishan is that you will miss a lot of the highlights, such as the Zhushan Sunrise Observation Deck, where you’ll catch the famous sea of clouds overlooking Mt. Yushan. The time constraint means you’ll also skip many other hiking trails, stunning views, and stations. I wish we dropped by the Fenqihu Station and the charming Old Street.

I also wished we had time to stop at the Alishan Post Office for my postcard project and the Alishan 7-Eleven store, the highest in Taiwan. Coming from a country with mediocre 7-Elevens, I loved exploring the 7-Elevens in Taiwan, especially the cartoon-themed ones.

Klook.com

The upside to booking an Alishan day tour is having a trusty local guide organize everything for you. I didn’t have to spend days studying and organizing an itinerary. With only a short time left in Kaohsiung, I didn’t have the bandwidth for my usual DIY ways. I was worry-free and stress-free throughout, and even took naps in the van. Just make sure you have nothing booked early the next day, as you’ll need to rest after this.

The Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung is one of my best and most recommended Klook trips in Taiwan. Beyond the train ride, Alishan’s ancient giants looming over the misty forest, the phytoncides permeating the air, and its rich history made for a pleasant escape from the city.

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]]> https://katewashere.com/2026/01/12/alishan-red-train/feed/ 0 19265 https://katewashere.com/2025/12/21/the-split-bgc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-split-bgc https://katewashere.com/2025/12/21/the-split-bgc/#respond Sun, 21 Dec 2025 04:00:37 +0000 https://katewashere.com/?p=19228 If you miss Chotto Matte and Izakaya Sensu, then you’ll be glad to know that they’re back—sort of—in The Split, the newest dining destination in BGC. Targeted towards a quirky foodie demographic—the indecisive—The Split houses four well-loved brands by the Raintree Hospitality Group: Providore Bakery & Café, Friends & Family Upside Down, Saboten Express, and Chotto Matte. For those who remember Chotto Matte and Izakaya Sensu, it was a dual Japanese concept (2016-2025) that served Izakaya-style sushi and Japanese fare […]

The post The Split in BGC is Four Raintree Restaurants in One appeared first on Kate Was Here.

]]>

If you miss Chotto Matte and Izakaya Sensu, then you’ll be glad to know that they’re back—sort of—in The Split, the newest dining destination in BGC. Targeted towards a quirky foodie demographic—the indecisive—The Split houses four well-loved brands by the Raintree Hospitality Group: Providore Bakery & Café, Friends & Family Upside Down, Saboten Express, and Chotto Matte.

For those who remember Chotto Matte and Izakaya Sensu, it was a dual Japanese concept (2016-2025) that served Izakaya-style sushi and Japanese fare in Seven Neo, formerly known as Net Park. That same space now houses The Split.

The Split’s kitchen, headed by chef Kalen Chan, has a menu that features the best of four Raintree restaurants, past and present.

Providore Bakery & Café

Choose from a melange of artisanal pastries, specialty coffee, and drinks inspired by Asian flavors. We had the Spanish latte with several cookies from the pastry bar. As someone who isn’t particularly fond of matcha, I was surprised to enjoy the matcha macadamia cookie the most—perhaps because the earthy, grassy taste of matcha didn’t overpower the sweetness of the cookie. Next time I’ll try The Splatte, a vegan-friendly coffee made with tres leches coconut milk and double espresso.

A standout dessert at our table was the mango sticky rice sipa, which gives a Filipino twist to the popular Thai dessert by arranging the fresh mango slices and sticky rice in a fresh lumpia wrapper tied with a pandan leaf to resemble the sipa, a soft ball made from random scraps like rattan fragments, which is used in a kicking game of the same name.

The dessert “sipa” is served in a puddle of coconut pandan cream with an edible flower as a bonus treat.

Friends & Family Upside Down

Your favorite comfort Filipino dishes are served with a bold twist, giving the classics a reinvented look and taste. I loved their shokoy, their take on the shrimp okoy, a crispy, deep-fried fritter made with a batter of glutinous rice flour and small unshelled shrimp. I savored the crunchy perfection that, even after dipping it in the onion-vinegar sauce, every morsel of the shokoy crunched so juicily in my mouth. I still dream of that shokoy long after I’ve left The Split.

The sesame Shanghai dapa with sweet and sour dip made a lighter, snack-y alternative to the lumpia or spring roll. The bites are more chewy than crunchy. The Parmesan-crisp root chips with the smoked tinapa laing cheese dip made for another appetizing starter.

Chotto Matte

Choose from the Izakaya-style selection of sushi, Japanese bites, and Japanese-inspired cocktails.

I’m always up for sushi, so I had the salmon aburi, a roll of salmon, shrimp, tobiko, and asparagus generously drizzled in spicy mayo and unagi sauce. It was so savory with just the right spicy kick that there was no need to dip it in soy sauce and wasabi. I’d love to go back to try the chef’s favorite, the tuna and salmon spicy dynamite bowl.

Saboten Express

I was already too full to try something from the Saboten Express menu, but I’d love to go back for their authentic Japanese tonkatsu bowls and katsu sets, reminiscent of my solo dining adventures in the original Saboten location in Serendra.

The Split Drinks

There’s a separate menu for refreshers (cold drinks) and cold creams (dessert-inspired drinks topped with cold cream or foam). I went for It’s Giving Violet, a mocktail-like concoction of strawberry puree, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and blue pea gulaman. It’s giving Gen Z.

Not just a restaurant with four different menus for picky and indecisive eaters, The Split is also designed as a vibrant social space. After catering to the daytime BGC crowd, it transforms into a night scene with themed DJ nights and trivia sessions, reminiscent of M Cafe’s heydays in the 2000s to 2010s. M Cafe in Greenbelt, if you’re old enough to remember, was also run by Raintree.

Best of all, it’s pet-friendly (provided your pet follows the standard protocols in BGC). I had a date there with Sundae The Shih Tzu, my friend Andrea’s little dogfluencer, who loves exploring the metro’s pet-friendly establishments.

BGC dwellers, keep an eye out for The Split’s weekend pop-ups, coffee raves, curated tasting menus, and surprise events like Split Drops, where exclusive dishes appear for a limited time.

The Split is located in Seven Neo, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, and is open daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm.

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]]> https://katewashere.com/2025/12/21/the-split-bgc/feed/ 0 19228 https://katewashere.com/2025/12/15/things-to-do-pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=things-to-do-pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung https://katewashere.com/2025/12/15/things-to-do-pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung/#respond Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:43:31 +0000 https://katewashere.com/?p=19195 Taiwan’s largest port city, Kaohsiung, is gradually gaining popularity among tourists. But time seems to move more slowly here, especially if it’s your second stop after coming from the busy capital of Taipei. I picked a hotel in Pier 2, where the neighborhood felt eerily quiet. It was only on day 2 of my solo Kaohsiung trip that I started to settle in, accepting that slow travel would be my trip’s vibe—and it was all thanks to Pier 2 Art […]

The post Things To See and Do in Pier 2 Art Center, Kaohsiung appeared first on Kate Was Here.

]]> Taiwan’s largest port city, Kaohsiung, is gradually gaining popularity among tourists. But time seems to move more slowly here, especially if it’s your second stop after coming from the busy capital of Taipei. I picked a hotel in Pier 2, where the neighborhood felt eerily quiet. It was only on day 2 of my solo Kaohsiung trip that I started to settle in, accepting that slow travel would be my trip’s vibe—and it was all thanks to Pier 2 Art Center.

Located in basin no. 3 of Kaohsiung Port, this area was once a bustling harbor that dwindled when the global shipping industry shifted. In the mid-2000s, artists stepped in to transform the abandoned warehouses into exhibition halls and dilapidated concrete walls into murals. Art installations started popping up, while businesses such as cafés, bookstores, and bars started setting up shop in the area. Slowly, this harbor transformed into Pier 2 Art Center, Kaohsiung’s vibrant cultural spot.

Get Ready For Your Kaohsiung Trip

Get your tickets

Flights, bus, train tickets, and more – check out 12Go

Book the accommodation

Choose Agoda for hotels and hostels

Book tours and tickets

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You may book the Kaohsiung Day Tour that makes a pit stop at Pier 2, but if, like me, you love taking your sweet time and getting wonderfully lost, then allot a whole day walking around and discovering spots as you go along.

For those who like to plan ahead, here are things you can see and do in Pier 2 Art Center:

Find your favorite art installation

There’s an abundance of murals and art installations in the Pier 2 main section, where Google Maps pins the location. The popular ones that you’ve probably seen on social media include a replica of Bumblebee, a huge mural of Kaohsiung Train Station, and an installation of red shipping containers that locals call Red Container Art.

But wherever you walk around in Pier 2, you’ll find a lot of art—from in-your-face giant installations to more subtle floor tile art. Note that the art may be removed, painted over, or replaced by the artists at any time, so don’t expect to run into everything you spotted online.
.

Shop at Eslite Bookstore

One of the largest retail bookstore chains in Taiwan, Eslite has several stores, each with its own look and personality. The one in Pier 2 Art Center is housed in a once-abandoned warehouse. You can’t miss it along Dayong Road as there’s a giant slinky-inspired installation at the entrance. There’s also a hidden Starbucks inside, and the in89 Cinemax and inBooks next door. Eslite Bookstore shares the Eslite Spectrum Pier 2 space with other souvenir shops, toy stores, and boutiques.

Get a ticket to the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway

Train enthusiasts will love this museum that showcases the history of Hamasen (the urban area of Kaohsiung) and the century-long development of Taiwan’s railway civilization. A ticket (via Klook or in person for NT$150) grants you access to the interactive exhibits and the popular HO scale (1:87) railway scenes, tracks, and train models.

There’s a miniature electric train ride that circles around the museum. Kiddie train tickets are sold separately at NT$150 for adults and NT$100 for kids under 12. Come during weekdays so that it’s not crowded.

Klook.com

Explore Hamasen Railway Cultural Park

A short walk from the museum is this railroad corner that will make you feel like you’re part of a time-traveling adventure. Also called the Railway Art District, it’s an open-air display of locomotives and carriages, showcasing Taiwan’s railway history. You’ll find plenty of interactive art installations begging to be Instagrammed. See if you can go up to the Sky Balcony for a panoramic view of the railway lines.

Hop on the Kaohsiung Light Rail

Though it’s operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation, the Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail (green loop) moves at a much slower speed. This street-level tram system is the perfect glimpse into the slow life of Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 as it runs on existing city streets, sharing space with cars and requiring traffic lights for safety. The locals find the slowness frustrating, but for tourists, it’s a scenic way to get from one historical spot to another.

In Pier 2, you can catch the LRT stops in C10 Glory Pier, C11 Love Pier, C12 Dayi Pier-2, C13 Penglai Pier-2, and C14 Hamasen.

Cross the rotating Harbor Bridge

Taiwan’s iconic Great Harbor Bridge, also known as Dagang Bridge, is a rotating bridge or swing bridge connecting Pier-2 Art Center to Penglai Commercial Harbor. It’s the longest swing bridge in Asia and Taiwan’s first. The bridge resembles a yacht and serves as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge with an observation deck at its center.

The bridge rotates 90 degrees daily at 3pm and on weekends/holidays at 7pm. The rotation takes about 30 minutes, and nobody is allowed to cross during that time. The rotating bridge was originally intended to allow ships to cross, but these days the rotation is mostly a tourist attraction.

Eat and shop at Penglai Commercial Harbor

After crossing the Great Harbor Bridge, you’ll find yourself in a commercial area full of shops, restaurants, and cafés—albeit pricier than average. The place comes alive at night with music and bars. I particularly enjoyed shopping and snacking at the Kaohsiung Port Depot.

Eat and shop at KW2

Kaohsiung Port Warehouse #2, also known as KW2, was my sweet refuge after hours of walking around. This large air-conditioned warehouse on Penglai Road houses many outlet shops, boutiques, dining options, and souvenir shops, including a branch of Yoyogi Peanuts, where I happily browsed through racks of Snoopy merch.

This was where I came across the hip and minimalist KW2 Hostel, which I regret not booking. KW2 Hostel, designed by Muji Renovation, has a private room with a harbor view and is directly connected to the cute shops. I had already booked a stay in the Legend Hotel Pier 2, which looks better in photos and has seen better days, so I don’t highly recommend it. I wish I had stayed in KW2 Hostel.

KW2 Hostel’s minimalist look by Muji

Go warehouse-hopping

The decades-old warehouses of Pier 2 are full of cafés, restaurants, ice cream shops, bars, art galleries and studios, music venues, and boutiques—each with its own distinct indie vibe. Popular ones include Dayi Warehouse and Live Warehouse. I won’t recommend any particular bar, café, or restaurant, because I feel it’s best you just walk around and go where the energy suits your vibe—or as I like to do, eat where I end up hungry.

Rent a bicycle

As I learned the hard way, the bus schedules and stops in Kaohsiung are often inaccurate, so an alternative is to rent a bike. Try YouBike. Using an electronic managerial system, YouBike lets you rent one bike in one place and return it in another. Download the app and use the map to find YouBike stations all over Kaohsiung. Use your EasyCard to pay.

Shop for wooden souvenirs at Wooderful Life

If you haven’t seen other branches of Wonderful Life in Taipei, then don’t skip their flagship store at Pier 2. They use non-toxic and eco-friendly wood materials from a sustainable forest to create their unique wooden toys, home decor, and souvenirs.

In Wooderful Life, you’ll feel like a kid entering Santa’s toy workshop. Once you rotate the knob of one of the magical music boxes, you’re hooked! Sign up for a crafts workshop if you’d like to take your wood experience a notch higher.

Go on a food trip at Pier 2 Night Market

Also known as Yanchengpu Night Market, the Pier 2 Night Market operates only on Saturdays. Located on Jianguo 4th Road, this small market offers a diverse variety of food stalls. For other days, you can always go to Kaohsiung’s bigger and more popular night markets—Liuhe and Ruifeng.

Take the ferry to Cijin Island

Also known as Qijini Island, Cijin is a popular nearby destination, just a 10-minute ferry ride from the KW2 Ferry Station. The ferry is also called a sea bus, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the ones painted with colorful marine characters. The short cruise gives you a sea view of Chai Mountain, Qihou Mountain, and, at times, large ships entering the port. Sea bus tickets range from NT$40-80.

Cijin Island is known for its black sand beaches, seafood restaurants, and art installations. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this place, and was talked out of it by the expats I met during my trip. But it’s worth a try, even just for the scenic sea bus ride.

Kaohsiung Music Center

At the east end of Pier 2 is this architecturally pleasing music complex that opened in 2021. It’s a hub for music performances, exhibitions, and events. When there are no events to catch, just admiring the landmark’s modern design from the outside while strolling along the waterfront plaza—especially at night when the neon LED lights go up—makes a great pit stop.

@replikate Slow travel in Pier 2 Art Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. KateWasHere.com Klook discount code: REPLIKATEKLOOK #KateWasHere #Kaohsiung ♬ original sound – Kate Was Here

If you’re visiting Kaohsiung for the first time, a whole day or two in Pier 2 Art Center is a worthwhile itinerary. It’s a refreshing change from the louder, busier cities of Taiwan.

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]]> https://katewashere.com/2025/12/15/things-to-do-pier-2-art-center-kaohsiung/feed/ 0 19195 https://katewashere.com/2025/12/07/taiwan-themed-7-eleven-stores/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=taiwan-themed-7-eleven-stores https://katewashere.com/2025/12/07/taiwan-themed-7-eleven-stores/#respond Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:01:35 +0000 https://katewashere.com/?p=19184 Not all 7-Eleven experiences are created equal. When it comes to the kawaii culture and culinary 7-Eleven experience, no country can beat Japan, followed by Korea’s aegyo pop culture. But vying for a close third spot for me is Taiwan. The themed 7-Elevens in this de facto independent country stand out as tourist stops, where you get both the 7-Eleven foodie experience and the “cuteness overload,” as we say in the kawaiiverse. @replikate Character-themed 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan ✨🇹🇼 KateWasHere.com […]

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]]> Not all 7-Eleven experiences are created equal. When it comes to the kawaii culture and culinary 7-Eleven experience, no country can beat Japan, followed by Korea’s aegyo pop culture. But vying for a close third spot for me is Taiwan. The themed 7-Elevens in this de facto independent country stand out as tourist stops, where you get both the 7-Eleven foodie experience and the “cuteness overload,” as we say in the kawaiiverse.

@replikate Character-themed 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan KateWasHere.com Klook discount code: REPLIKATEKLOOK #Taiwan #7eleven #7eleventaiwan ♬ MINI VLOG. – ALOHI STYLE

Out of the 7,000+ 7-Elevens around Taiwan, over 100 of them are specially themed, featuring characters or brands such as Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, Tomica, Pokemon, Starlux, Mickey Mouse, Sumikko Gurashi, and so much more!

Taiwan’s themed 7-Elevens are found mostly in Taipei and Kaohsiung, and I ran into four:

Sanrio 7-Eleven in Taipei

With Hello Kitty as the main star, this Sanrio 7-Eleven in Ximending has her iconic bows painted on one window, and a lighted “Stay Cute” signage on the other. Her fellow Sanrio stars such as Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and Gudetama are also displayed. Inside, a life-sized statue of Hello Kitty holding a to-go coffee cup welcomes guests. Sanrio decorations and merch are found all over the store.

There are several other Sanrio 7-Elevens in Taipei and Kaohsiung, but this was closest to our hotel, Amba Ximending, just a four-minute walk away.

Use my Klook code, REPLIKATEKLOOK, to get 3-5% off the Hello Kitty Exhibition ticket in Taipei:

Klook.com

Peanuts 7-Eleven in Kaohsiung

I missed the Snoopy/Peanuts 7-Elevens in Taipei, so I made sure to find this in Kaohsiung. It’s in Sinsing District, a 20-minute walk from Formosa Station and worth all the steps once I laid eyes on the familiar Peanuts cartoon strip elements decorating the walls and windows.

Inside, there’s a bright yellow Peanuts school bus where you can eat and drink your 7-Eleven purchases. Every section of the store—down to the bathroom and ATM area—is decorated with Snoopy and Peanuts characters and comic strips. The dining chairs feature Snoopy’s friends, such as Charlie, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Sally, and Schroeder. You may also eat on the special shadow box tables with Peanuts plushies and toys. A red shelf inspired by Snoopy’s dog house sells Peanuts merch and souvenirs.

Klook.com

Lay’s 7-Eleven in Taipei

If you’re a fan of Lay’s potato chips, this Lay’s-themed 7-Eleven is in the tourist-friendly district of Ximending, Taipei, near the Cinema Park. Inside, a Lay’s half-car mockup displays snacks—though they’re not all Lay’s chips. While it’s decorated with the Lay’s branding all over the shelves, ceiling, windows, and walls, this store has seen better days. It was our go-to 7-Eleven during our recent Taipei trip, but the store always felt like it needed a little more upkeep.

Mixed with the Lay’s merch and memorabilia are Sanrio, Disney, Pepsi and other brands that I feel like are extra supplies from other themed 7-Elevens, giving the entire space a confused branding vibe, unlike the distinctly Sanrio- and Snoopy-themed 7-Elevens.

Kanahei’s Small Animals 7-Eleven in Kaohsiung

Next to the Shinkuchan Shopping District and a short walk from Central Park in Kaohsiung is the Kanahei-themed 7-Eleven. It’s bigger and more spacious than other themed 7-Elevens I’ve been to, and you can’t miss the pink-hued store when you walk by.

Kanahei’s Small Animals is created by the Japanese artist, Kanahei. Though not as popular as Sanrio, these kawaii characters have a cult following. The Kanahei-themed 7-Eleven is decorated with Small Animals characters all over the shelves, ceiling, windows, and walls.

Travel tips for finding Taiwan’s themed 7-Elevens:

1. Many—but not all!—themed 7-Elevens in Taiwan have claw machines and gachapon machines filled with toys and character collectibles. When spending your money on souvenirs, look for limited-edition or Taiwan-only items. For Sanrio lovers like myself, the Sanrio EasyCard is found in ALL Taiwan 7-Elevens. Just ask the cashier.

2. Don’t pressure yourself to see every single themed 7-Eleven in Taiwan. Just choose your top characters. I focused on finding Sanrio and Peanuts; the rest were just bonus shops I ran into.

3. Some themed 7-Elevens are bigger and cleaner than the others. The themed stores aren’t permanent. They could get reset back to the standard 7-Eleven look or replaced with another theme.

Which themed 7-Eleven would you add to your Taiwan itinerary?

See more:
Snoopy/Peanuts 7-Eleven in Taiwan
Hello Kitty/Sanrio 7-Eleven in Taiwan

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]]> https://katewashere.com/2025/12/07/taiwan-themed-7-eleven-stores/feed/ 0 19184 https://katewashere.com/2025/11/27/snoopy-7-eleven-taiwan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=snoopy-7-eleven-taiwan https://katewashere.com/2025/11/27/snoopy-7-eleven-taiwan/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:42 +0000 https://katewashere.com/?p=19166 Out of the 7,000+ 7-Elevens around Taiwan, over 100 of them are specially themed, featuring characters or brands such as Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, Lay’s, Tomica, Pokemon, Mickey Mouse, and so much more!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kate Alvarez (Kate Was Here) (@replikate) It was impossible to visit them all in my recent two-week trip, so I had to prioritize. Next to my love for Hello […]

The post Snoopy 7-Eleven in Kaohsiung, Taiwan appeared first on Kate Was Here.

]]> Out of the 7,000+ 7-Elevens around Taiwan, over 100 of them are specially themed, featuring characters or brands such as Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, Lay’s, Tomica, Pokemon, Mickey Mouse, and so much more!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kate Alvarez (Kate Was Here) (@replikate)

It was impossible to visit them all in my recent two-week trip, so I had to prioritize. Next to my love for Hello Kitty and Harry Potter is Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, so when narrowing down my list of themed 7-Elevens to visit in Taiwan, of course I had to see my dear old Snoopy!

“Good grief!” as Charlie Brown would say, as I missed the two Snoopy-themed 7-Elevens in Taipei. In Kaohsiung there are several, and I caught the one in Sinsing District. It’s a 20-minute walk from Formosa Station, and worth all the steps once I laid eyes on the familiar Peanuts cartoon strip elements decorating the walls and windows.

The first thing that will catch your eye when you enter is the yellow Peanuts school bus, where you can eat and drink your 7-Eleven purchases.

Every section of the store—down to the bathroom and ATM area—is decorated with Snoopy and Peanuts characters. There are claw machines and gachapon machines filled with Peanuts collectibles. The dining chairs feature Snoopy’s friends, such as Charlie, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Sally, and Schroeder. You may also eat on the special shadow box tables with Peanuts plushies and toys. A red shelf inspired by Snoopy’s dog house sells Peanuts merch and souvenirs.

While the rest of the store is filled with regular 7-Eleven food and merch, you’ll find surprise Snoopy items mixed with the regulars, making it feel like a scavenger hunt when you browse.

Travel tips: In Taiwan, most themed 7-Eleven stores are in Taipei and Kaohsiung, with some bigger and cleaner than the others. The themed stores aren’t permanent. They could get reset back to the standard 7-Eleven look or replaced with another theme.

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The price range of Snoopy merch in Taiwan is a bit steeper than what I’m used to in the US and the Philippines, so spend wisely. I suggest focusing on limited-edition or Taiwan-only merch.

In case you miss the Snoopy- or Peanuts-themed 7-Eleven stores, don’t worry. Snoopy is everywhere here! One thing I noticed in Taiwan is that they love Snoopy—maybe even more than Sanrio. Aside from the Snoopy-themed 7-Elevens, there are plenty Snoopy souvenir shops and pop art installations in the tourist areas. Malls like Carrefour and even train station vending machines dispense Snoopy trinkets.

As Charlie Brown would say, “Keep looking up… that’s the secret of life.”

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