Taipei: A Journey Beyond Exhibition Tourist Bus Makes Debut in Shanghai with Eye-Catching Float Design

▲The “Taipei: A Journey Beyond” tourist float is eye-catching. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2013 Shanghai Tourism Festival kicked off on the 14th, with Taipei City participating for the first time this year. It specially created the “Taipei: A Journey Beyond” float bus to join the parade. The eye-catching bright orange float features scaled-down versions of iconic Taipei landmarks such as Taipei 101, Longshan Temple, and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. It also includes the internationally renowned “little yellow” Ubike, with performers putting on dynamic shows aboard the float. Standing out among 25 performance groups from around the world, it became the center of attention.

▲The bright orange “Taipei: A Journey Beyond” tourist float features miniature versions of famous Taipei buildings such as Taipei 101 and a Ferris wheel, along with dynamic performances by artists on board. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)

The Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism stated that the theme float representing Taipei is filled with representations of the city’s architecture, cuisine, and cultural elements. Iconic buildings are presented in three-dimensional forms, including a design for the 101 Building that allows light to shine through from within. Normally standing 3.6 meters tall, it can be raised to 5.6 meters during the parade. Meanwhile, a cute 3-meter-tall Q-version department store Ferris wheel also stands prominently on the float, catching everyone’s eye.

The tourist float bus is 11.6 meters long and 4 meters high, and is entirely painted in bright orange, accented with adorable hand-drawn style Taipei city elements on both sides, symbolizing the vibrancy and radiance of Taipei. The Department of Information and Tourism noted that the sides of the float can be lowered by half, instantly transforming the vehicle into a performance stage. This time, special arrangements were made to include free-spirited backpackers representing the convenience of Taipei travel, chefs symbolizing the city’s delicious food, and various performing artists, all putting on dynamic shows to better highlight the unique tourism features of Taipei.