Spend the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday in Tainan: Top 5 Highlights Including Flower Viewing, Dragon Boat Races, and Music Festivals

By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled and reported

Visiting Tainan during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday not only lets you enjoy thrilling dragon boat races, but also offers a chance to see the golden rain of golden shower trees in early summer. It's also the season when lotus flowers are about to bloom, along with a variety of Dragon Boat Festival–exclusive events to choose from, allowing you to experience Tainan’s unique seasonal scenery and spend a truly different Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

1. 2019 International Dragon Boat Championship

　　The annual “Tainan City International Dragon Boat Championship” (June 3–7) will kick off with great fanfare along the Anping Canal. Tainan’s Dragon Boat Festival races are not only Taiwan’s longest-running dragon boat event, but also feature traditional pre-race rituals such as the eye-dotting ceremony for the boats. A river worship ceremony is held before the opening to pray for a smooth and successful competition. The races are uniquely scheduled for nighttime, allowing spectators to admire the LED-lit dragon boats sparkling under the starry sky. The event also includes additional activities such as Rock Night, dance performances, food stalls, DIY workshops, and canoe experiences, blending tradition with innovation. Visitors are welcome to join the festivities along the Anping riverside and enjoy Tainan’s most energetic summer sports celebration on the Anping Canal.　

2. 2019 Baihe Lotus Season

　　Meanwhile, the Dragon Boat Festival holiday coincides with the blooming period of lotuses in Baihe. The “2019 Baihe Lotus Season” (May 18–August 16) features a rich variety of activities, including hands-on lotus seed picking, lotus-leaf fan painting, cultural and creative DIY workshops, mini-travel experiences, stamp-collecting rewards, and photography contests. Don’t miss the chance to take photos atop the “King Lotus” leaves or enjoy a delicious lotus seed feast. To offer more options for travelers visiting Tainan during the holiday, Baihe is highly recommended for its stunning lotus ponds. Visitors can also stop by Dongshan’s 175 Coffee Boulevard to enjoy coffee and explore Houpi, one of Taiwan’s Top 30 Classic Small Towns.

Nearby sites such as Linchupi in Baihe, the 7-11 New Lotus Village branch in Baihe, the Houpi Tourism Service Center, and the Little South Sea Scenic Area all have T-Bike rental stations, allowing visitors to tour the area by bike and experience the unique rural charm of Tainan. Additionally, there is a hidden floral paradise: the golden rain of golden shower trees along the 6-year-maintained Baihe Lotus Countryside Bicycle Path, which is now in full bloom. A trip to Baihe gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy lotus flowers, golden shower trees, and lush green tunnels all in one go.

3. Golden Rain of Golden Shower Trees

 
　　Early summer is also the best time to admire golden shower tree blossoms. Across Tainan City, you’ll find trees covered in bright yellow blooms. The Tourism Bureau invites everyone to visit Hutoupi Scenic Area to experience the romantic sight of golden rain. With over 400 golden shower trees in brilliant bloom, this limited-time spectacle is not to be missed.