A brand-new look: Taichung’s Caotun Boulevard Summer Light Festival kicks off on August 3

▲ The Taichung Caotun Boulevard Summer Light Festival kicks off on August 3. (Photo / Courtesy of Taichung City Government website)

The Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau, in collaboration with interactive light technology, will host the “2013 Caotun Boulevard Summer Light Festival” for nine consecutive evenings from August 3 to 11, from 6 PM to 10 PM. The Caotun Boulevard will integrate cutting-edge light and projection technology, featuring ground-based interactive installations. Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang will take on the role of a virtual tour guide, treating visitors to a romantic feast of light.

The main exhibition area is located in the scenically foreign-feeling Arts and Culture Boulevard, extending along the greenway on Wuchang West 3rd and 4th Streets beside the Art Museum, all the way to Wuchang 7th Street. Using light sculpture art, the already beautiful Caotun Boulevard will be transformed into a romantic promenade.

On the evening of August 3, the festival will first launch the Light Projection Technology Week and a weekend music concert, utilizing ground-based interactive projections to display Taiwan’s top 20 must-visit attractions on the ground, allowing the public to enjoy interactive fun by walking on them. Another highlight of the event is “Old Hu,” portrayed by Mayor Hu Zhiqiang himself. Hu noted that although he won’t be physically present at the event, his digital avatar will work tirelessly for all nine days, and he encouraged everyone to check out the most dedicated tour guide at the festival.

The weekend music concert will kick off with a performance by the four-member all-girl electro-violin group VBand, followed by madcap piano performer Xiao Weibo, the creative band Clockmaker, and will close with a performance by Staycool, delivering an exciting and passionate musical experience for all attendees.

Additionally, with Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) just around the corner, Taichung City Tourism Bureau Director Zhang Dachun also invites all couples to visit the Lover’s Tree, write down what they want to say to their loved ones, and hang their messages on the wishing net, letting the shimmering lights preserve their love forever.