The "2017 Qijin Black Sand Arts Festival" offers free entry at Qianhai Beach before August 27.

▲Mermaids and sea creatures hand out candy while parading through the streets, welcoming everyone to Qijin. (Photo / Screenshot fromthe Qijin Black Sand Arts Festival official fan page)

Intern Reporter Long Yi / Comprehensive Report

Qijin is a highly popular attraction in Kaohsiung, and the annual"Qijin Black Sand Arts Festival"draws many domestic and international tourists. With its stunning coastal views, fascinating sand sculptures, locally made artisan goods, and specialty markets, you could spend hours exploring. The beach hosts activities like kite flying, volleyball, surfing, sand sculpture workshops, moonlit beach runs, indigenous music, and evening outdoor movies. Enjoy fresh seafood and street food along Qijin Main Street.

This year’s Black Sand Arts Festival is themed "Mermaids Meet Qijin: The Splendor of Kaohsiung," with sand sculptures centered around mermaids. Sand sculptors from across the country have come together to create a dreamy mermaid paradise on the beach. Visitors can take photos, and this year there's an interactive feature—just scan the QR code on the information plaques to hear the adventure stories behind the sand sculptures. The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau has also created driftwood-based installations using local materials. This year features a total of 17 themed sand sculptures, 20 competition sand sculptures, and 3 driftwood art displays.

▲Just scan the QR code on the information plaque to hear the mermaid’s adventure story. (Photo / Screenshot fromQijinBlack Sand Arts Festival official fan page)

The Black Sand Arts Festival features different weekly themes, including kite DIY and performances, surfing lessons and competitions, sand sculpture contests, marine conservation activities, and many more. On August 19, a 4-kilometer moonlit beach run was launched, inviting thousands to run along Qijin Beach and encouraging everyone to become enchanting mermaids, running freely on the shore while enjoying the sunset and sea breeze. This year’s sand sculpture exhibition has also been extended into the evening, allowing visitors to experience the different beauty of Qijin by day and by night.

▲[Moonlit Beach Run] Registration now open. (Photo / Screenshot fromQijin Black Sand Arts Festival official fan page)

The evening outdoor cinema is actually a sand sculpture titled "Mirror," with a white screen embedded directly into the sand sculpture base, making it look like a mirror. At night, it transforms into a movie screen, playing Disney’s animated classic "The Little Mermaid." Driftwood pieces are placed in front of the screen to serve as seats, allowing both adults and children to sit comfortably and enjoy the film alongside the mermaid princess Ariel on a magical adventure.

▲Qijin Black Sand Arts Festival, sand sculpture cinema. (Photo / Screenshot fromQijin Black Sand Arts Festival official fan page)

The 2017 Summer Solstice 235 - Kaohsiung Qijin Black Sand Arts Festival offers sand sculpture viewing, family sand sculpture DIY, tourist markets, moonlit beach runs, beach volleyball, beach movies, and more—guaranteed to keep you entertained from morning to night with unforgettable summer memories.