New Taipei City’s Joyful Christmas Town – Adorable Transparent Bear Bus Makes Its Debut

▲ New Taipei Joyful Christmas Town: The adorable transparent bear bus makes its debut. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Beware of bears on the loose!* The 2013 New Taipei City Joyful Christmas Town event kicks off with its lighting ceremony on November 22. Leading up to the event, an extra-large transparent “Joyful Christmas Bear Promotion Bus” will be roaming around the Greater Taipei area. The bus is loaded with 400 Christmas souvenir bears and snowman Santa Clauses. When you’re out shopping, don’t forget to look up — festive bear surprises might be just around the corner.

For the first time this year, the New Taipei City Government has introduced a transparent bear promotion bus. From now until November 22, the bus will be making its rounds during weekday afternoons from 1–5 PM and evenings from 7 PM–11 PM, as well as weekends from 1:30–5:30 PM and evenings from 6:30–10:30 PM. It will pass through major commercial districts in both New Taipei and Taipei City, including Gongguan, Ximending, Taipei Main Station, Zhongshan, East District, Banqiao MEGA CITY, and Fuzhong Commercial Area.

▲ 2013 New Taipei Joyful Christmas Town: Simulated image of the main Christmas tree lights. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government)

To complement the adorable bear bus launch, the city government has specially created plaid-patterned Christmas teddy bear souvenirs in pink-blue and peach-pink colors. These are available as free gifts, not for sale. After the lighting ceremony, there will also be a lucky draw to win a teddy bear. Starting November 22, Banqiao Station’s B1 Plaza will feature an installation art piece called “Teddy Bear Forest,” made up of 800 teddy bears. The city government says it aims to fill the area around Banqiao Station with a strong Christmas atmosphere.