[Weekend Fun in Taiwan]Teddy Bear Mini-Tours & Colorful Flower Fields – Hot Travel Updates This Weekend

Text / Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

Where are netizens planning to go this holiday weekend? The hottest topic this week has to be the reopening of the Taiwan Railways’ Shen’ao Branch Line, which has thrilled train enthusiasts. Additionally, the tulip fields in Taichung and the flower blooms at the Dafong-Dafu Plain Forest in Hualien have also started to blossom. For those who love installation art, the Teddy Bears that were all the rage in Taichung have begun their mini-tours, and the FORMOSA Sculpture Biennial in Kaohsiung has kicked off at Pier-2 Art Center. Take a break during your lunch hour today and plan your weekend getaway now.

The Shen’ao Branch Line was once a vital route for transporting coal to the Shen’ao Power Plant. However, after passenger services ceased in 1989 (Republic of China Year 78), it was used only for freight and was eventually discontinued in 2007 (ROC Year 96). Today, it has been revived with the opening of the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. The Shen’ao Branch Line runs between Ruifang Station and the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology Station, covering a total distance of about 4.2 kilometers with a travel time of approximately 10 minutes. There are 20 daily services, one per hour, with a one-way fare of NT$15 and a round-trip ticket for NT$28. A series of colorful train carriages on the Shen’ao Branch Line were jointly designed by the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology and Asia Pacific Institute of Creativity. These include themed trains such as the Children’s Adventure, Ocean Future, Deep Sea Reflection, and the fantastical Ocean Exploration, symbolizing Keelung’s vibrancy and technological advancement.

New Taipei City – To promote the high-quality abalone from Gongliao District, the “2014 New Taipei Gongliao Abalone Festival Series” has been planned. Starting today, exclusive creative dishes themed around Gongliao abalone are available, offering delicious local abalone meals that can be ordered online. Additionally, on January 11–12, a special abalone sale will be held at the Very Hot Zone Plaza at Fuzhong Station on the New Taipei Metro. In addition to live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, local seafood stalls will offer vacuum-packed specials and limited-time fresh abalone deals—originally priced at NT$700, now available for NT$500, with a bonus of golden mackerel and fatty horse mackerel slices. Only 200 sets are available, with sales starting at 11:00 AM on the 11th and 1:00 PM on the 12th. There will also be free samples of grilled marinated abalone, as well as lucky draws for purchases over a certain amount. On January 19, the main event of the “Gongliao Abalone Festival” will take place at Aodi Fishing Port in Gongliao District, New Taipei City. In addition to creative abalone dishes recommended by chef Tsai Jifang, there will be a feast of flavored meals. The event will also feature sales activities, including a lucky grab for gift bags, seafood specialty stalls, special offers, a funfair, interactive stage games for all to enjoy, and lucky draws. Moreover, from 10:00 AM, 120 lucky individuals can sign up for free at the event service desk to join the “Gongliao Fishing Village Stroll,” where professional guides will introduce local marine life and ecology.

Taichung City

 

At the “2013 Teddy Bear Taichung Happy Carnival” in Taichung, 100 uniquely designed large Teddy Bear installation artworks attracted 3 million visitors. Although the event has ended, 35 Teddy Bears are now embarking on mini-tours around Taichung. Starting today, 11 Teddy Bears will visit Taichung Park to celebrate the New Year with the public. From now until the 25th, other Teddy Bears will travel to Jiguang Street, and from the 25th until Valentine’s Day, they will join the Fengyuan Lantern Festival. Additionally, from January 18 to April 20, 28 Teddy Bears will don traditional costumes of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, showcasing the unique styles of 14 ethnic groups, and will celebrate the Spring Festival, admire cherry blossoms, and ride cable cars with visitors at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.

 

Dates: From now until April 20

Locations: Taichung Park, Jiguang Street, Fengyuan Lantern Festival, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

The inaugural “FORMOSA Sculpture Biennial” has opened along the waterfront at Pier-2 Art Center and will run until March 2. This exhibition brings together 33 mid-career Taiwanese artists, showcasing nearly 50 works simultaneously in both indoor and outdoor venues. Through diverse materials, varied perspectives, and creative contexts, the exhibition presents a new landscape of contemporary sculpture in constant experimentation and expansion. This year’s theme, “What Lies Ahead of Us?”, explores the possibilities of artistic progress and diversity, while also reflecting the development of Pier-2 as it extends along the waterfront toward True Love Pier.

 

Dates: From now until March 2

Location: Pier-2 Art Center