Night Tour of Yilan Traditional Arts Park: A Riverside 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' Under the Stars

Text/Photo report compiled by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

After a six-year hiatus, the National Center for Traditional Arts has reopened for nighttime garden visits once again. The brand-new summer program “66 Nights at the National Center for Traditional Arts – Along the River During the Qingming Festival Under the Stars,” running from now until August 31, offers much more than just the summer vacation period. In addition to the Pili series – including 3D theater, figurine exhibitions, and cosplay parades – there’s also a “Night Market Street” serving local delicacies alongside the illuminated night scenery along the Dongshan River. Each weekend features an additional “Theme Night,” where captivating performances such as those by Tafari Temple, Czech puppet theater, magical fire dancing, and indigenous vocal groups take turns entertaining audiences. The “Night Market Street” combines vintage-style vendors and classic-style booths, accented with riverside string lights, starry grassland lamps, and bridge pier lighting to recreate the lively atmosphere of Zhang Zeduan’s painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” along the banks of the Dongshan River.

On Saturday nights during the event, the Center for Traditional Arts presents a series of “Theme Nights.” On July 6 and 13, the “Original Vocal Night” features performances by the Original Brothers Band, who sing moving tunes by reinterpreting traditional indigenous melodies with new compositions. On July 20, the “International Exchange Night” brings together the Czech “Classical Marionette Theater” from Eastern Europe and Taiwan’s “Jinfeifeng Puppet Theater,” combining Western circus performances with the Eastern “Lion Brings Auspiciousness” act – promising an exciting cultural clash. On July 27 and August 17, the “Cosplay Party Night” will be heated up by performances from Unlimited Figure Theater Cosplay and TS Fire Dance, with special appearances for cosplayers to join in the fun. On August 3, the “Nostalgic Ballad Night” invites Little Liuqiu’s beautiful-voiced singer Wu Zhiyin to perform moving retro ballads. On August 10, the “Rock Night” features Tafari Temple performing retro yet glamorous new Chinese music, including the theme song of “Empresses in the Palace” and other hits, rocking the traditional music scene and redefining people’s perceptions of folk music. On August 24, the “Golden Melody Night” will showcase award-winning artists Luo Siron and the Soler Band performing Hakka vocals.

Additionally, the Center for Traditional Arts has once again partnered with Pili International Multimedia to launch the 3D theater production “Fantan Festival,” featuring a newly created complete storyline, screening at the Quyi Theater from July 1 to September 22. Dubbed the Taiwanese version of “The Avengers,” this “Fantan Festival” will bring together all the beloved characters from the Pili universe, with the latest look of the sword-wielding, insane Ye Xiachai making its first appearance in the show. During the event period, there is also a “Pili Hero Figurine Special Exhibition,” themed around the Pili puppet series, featuring dreamlike sets in 1:1 scale with the puppets, breaking away from traditional puppet exhibition formats to create a more refined atmosphere and bringing the virtual world closer to reality. Moreover, the “Pili Hero Autograph Concert” will be held on July 28 and August 17, featuring performances of the theme song by Golden Melody Award winner Huang Shanliang and Pili talent Fengcailun. This series of activities offers audiences a comprehensive Pili puppet experience.

 

To encourage the use of public transportation, the Center for Traditional Arts is offering discounted admission tickets for those who take the direct Capital Bus or Kamalan Bus from Taipei to the Center between July 6 and August 25. Ticket holders receive a special discount coupon, allowing entry for just NT$100. For those who prefer traveling by water, visitors can also purchase a discounted combo ticket for both the Toy Festival zones at 7-ELEVEN ibon, then take the water bus from the Water Park.

 

During the event period, the National Center for Traditional Arts extends its opening hours until 9:00 p.m. daily and introduces a “Starlight Ticket” available for entry from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., offering half-price admission at NT$75. For more details, visit the official website: art.pcsc.com.tw.

 

 

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