Hot air balloons & steam trains for free: Nantou Train Festival kicks off on July 14

Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network Scenic Spots Home

 

The beloved summer event for all ages — the 2013 Nantou Train Festival — will take place from July 14 to August 11. This year’s theme is “Traveling with Building Blocks Fun,” and a series of building block works that combine railway culture with Nantou sightseeing will amaze visitors. The adorable mushrooms from the “Mushroom Cultivation Research Lab” will also make an appearance on the Jiji Line this year, greeting passengers aboard train carriages adorned with mushroom-themed paintings. One of the can’t-miss highlights of the annual Nantou Train Festival is the chance to stay in Nantou and ride the steam train DT668 for free. Additionally, hot air balloon tethered flight experiences are being introduced for the first time this year — no extra charge required. During the event period, simply spend a minimum amount locally in Nantou, donate your unified invoice, and you could win a chance to take to the skies each week — one winner gets two people airborne.

The Nantou Train Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the summer vacation. This year, it will be grandly held on the Jiji Line starting July 14. The event will continue the popular perk of free steam train rides for those staying at legally registered accommodations in Nantou — just apply through the lodging operator, as train seat reservations are required. A new highlight is the tethered hot air balloon experience: during the event, simply present unified invoices totaling NT$1,000 or more accumulated from purchases in Nantou within the same week and donate them to enter a weekly draw. Sixty pairs (120 people) will win a ride each week, with additional chances depending on weather conditions.

 

Elements that have captivated Taiwan since last year — such as the “Building Block Exhibition” and the “Mushroom Cultivation Research Lab” — will also join the fun at the Nantou Train Festival. The themed exhibition hall will use building blocks as the creative medium to construct trains, train stations, and scenic spots and special festivals across Nantou. This year, a limited edition set of five miniature Jiji Line building block stations will also be launched. Visit three stations along the Jiji Line and collect mushroom stamps to redeem a chance at winning a building block station.

Other exciting activities include the much-anticipated second “Steam Train Popular Conductor Voting” campaign. Candidates include BeBe, the multiracial beauty from Guoguang Gang; sunny Tingting from Brother Elephants Young Girls; and defending champion Tiger Fang, the queen of exhibition events. The public will vote for their dream travel companion, and the top vote-getter will serve as the steam train conductor during the event, interacting closely with passengers. Other activities include the “Building Block Collage King” competition for creative builders, a photography contest capturing fleeting moments of trains, a kids’ favorite sketching competition, and a Jiji Line day trip where participants can pick pineapples and try their hand at pottery. Event website: travel.nantou.gov.tw/2013doodoo.

 

 

● Read more: Summer Flight Dreams — A Guide to Hot Air Balloon Tours Across Taiwan

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