The Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival unveils a “7D flying experience” – complete with water sprays and bubbles!

▲ This year’s Yilan Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival adopts the theme of “flight” and debuts the new “Dream of Flight Pavilion.” (Photo / Provided by the organizer)

By Chen Tzu-yin / Staff reporter

This year, the Yilan Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival takes “flight” as its theme, newly launching the “Dream of Flight Pavilion,” and organizing the event around “play,” “explore,” and “fun.” It includes themed areas such as the Flight Story House, Kids’ Flight Zone, Flight School, Interactive Experience Area, and Soaring Sky Trial Flight Field. There’s even a “7D Flying Experience” that gives visitors of all ages a fresh and exciting way to enjoy the festival.

Huang I-Fen, secretary of Yilan County’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, noted that the static displays in the “Dream of Flight Pavilion” include immersive story spaces, exhibits, and video experiences. For interactive fun, there are multimedia elements, scientific demonstrations, master craftspeople teaching workshops, DIY craft stations, competition games, and large-scale art installations. The “7D Flying Experience,” in particular, has drawn numerous visitors every day since the opening.

The “7D Flying Experience” combines visual, auditory, and tactile sensations. Sit on a motion platform, wear 3D glasses, and begin your “journey through the skies.” During the flight, you’ll feel gentle breezes, water sprays, and bubbles touch your skin as you soar over famous Yilan landmarks such as the Lanyang Museum, Wufengqi Waterfall, and Dongshan River Water Park. The aim is to make you feel as if you’re really flying above Yilan, while guides provide insights that help you learn more about and appreciate the region.

The “Dream of Flight Pavilion” is located on the first floor of the boathouse behind the main play area. In addition to the indoor exhibition space, visitors can find three large airplane-themed art installations on the grass near the green-field stage just outside the pavilion exit – including the “Wright Brothers' Flyer No. 1” and a flapping-wing aircraft inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s designs – perfect for photos and admiration.

This year, the organizers have invited paper plane expert Teacher Cho Chih-hsien to be onsite during weekends. Cho has designed over 9,000 types of paper airplanes and set a world record by flying one a distance of 52 meters. The site also features a DIY workshop where participants can make their own paper planes and fulfill their “flying” dreams at the festival.

Dream of Flight Pavilion
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily