Over 5,000 real shells used in restoration — Taisi Conch regains magnificent appearance

▲ The Taisi Conch, standing 10 meters high and 25 meters wide, is a landmark of Taisi. (Photo provided by Wu Guojing)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taisi Conch, standing 10 meters high and 25 meters wide, is a landmark of Taisi. The wall is adorned with uniquely beautiful reliefs of crabs and fish, but in recent years, over a thousand have been damaged by inconsiderate visitors. After nearly six months of restoration, the work was finally completed on the 20th, restoring the conch’s magnificent and vibrant exterior. It is worth mentioning that this restoration primarily used real shells, totaling more than 5,000 pieces.

The Taisi Conch was built in 1992, standing 10 meters high and 25 meters wide. It is the largest spherical installation art piece in Taiwan and also a landmark of Taisi. Its unique and exquisite shape, with no visible beams or columns inside, has stood firmly in Haigarden for over 20 years and has been a focal point for tourists to admire and take photos.

▲ The Taisi Conch was restored using over 5,000 real shells. (Photo provided by Wu Guojing)

However, in recent years, the reliefs of crabs and fish on the conch’s walls have been smashed by inconsiderate visitors, with over a thousand damaged. The ground has also been graffitied and written on, and some exposed steel bars have rusted, causing the conch to lose much of its luster. In late 2013, Yunlin County Magistrate Su Tseng-chang instructed that restoration work be carried out. The restoration project began in March 2014, involving cleaning, filling, gluing, and polishing, and was completed on August 20, 2014, spanning a total of more than five months.

To highlight local characteristics and enhance the conch’s beauty, unlike previous kiln-fired models, this restoration mainly used real shells. According to statistics, over 50 types of shells were used, totaling more than 5,000 pieces — a truly spectacular and beautiful sight resembling an underwater classroom of seashells. Aside from adding splendor to the conch, it also creates educational value.