Biggest in 10 years! Fulong International Sand Sculpture Festival kicks off — viewing sand sculptures from a paddleboard on the water adds to the fun
Reported by Yu Jiayun / New Taipei, Photos by Lin Shiwen
The 2017 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Festival grandly opened today at Fulong Beach. This year marks a milestone as the event celebrates its 10th anniversary, themed “Golden Sands of Fulong: A Decade of Dreams.” Combining the classic castle designs often seen in past sand sculptures, the festival has created Taiwan’s largest sand sculpture castle, standing an impressive 13 meters tall. In addition, the themed area “The Whimsical World of a Little Girl” breaks new ground by drawing inspiration from the dreams of a 10-year-old girl, with the concept running throughout the entire exhibition to give it a more story-driven feel. A total of 80 sand sculptures are on display this year, and mysterious superhero characters will also make surprise appearances throughout the event, adding an extra layer of excitement.
▲ The entrance sand sculpture features the Oh Bear character.
▲ You can enjoy the sand sculptures and the ocean view on the beach.
▲ The entrance theme area is inspired by the dream of a 10-year-old girl.
This year’s Fulong International Sand Sculpture Festival gathers a total of 22 sand sculptors from 13 countries. Nearly 10 sculptors collaborated to create Taiwan’s tallest main sand sculpture, integrating elements from past festival castles and blending Chinese imperial city, Gothic architecture, Baroque style, and fairy tale motifs into a giant, dreamlike fortress. In a special collaboration with Marvel hero “Spider-Man,” the iconic superhero makes mysterious and stylish appearances throughout the exhibition area.
▲ The main sand sculpture castle stands 13 meters high.
▲ Spider-Man in disguise to save the world.
The sand sculpture festival begins with the “Whimsical World of a Little Girl” themed area. At the entrance, a 10-year-old girl opens a fairy tale book, unleashing a series of fantastical dreams. In her dreams, villains from the East and West gather together, creating various fun, whimsical, and amusing interactions — such as a wolf drinking beer and sunbathing on the beach, or zombies and vampires attending a concert together. Moving into the “Fantasy Manor” section, you’ll find a gingerbread man peeking out from a candy house, and a comically expressive King Kong, both incongruous yet harmonious, symbolizing the boundless imagination of the little girl.
▲ Witches, zombies, and vampires gather together.
▲ A wolf sunbathing on the beach.
▲ A gingerbread man peeks out from a candy house.
The annual post-season sand sculpture competition, themed “Heroes,” showcases the unique creativity of various sculptors as they present their own interpretations of heroism. Some combine cultural elements from different countries to portray national heroes, while others depict legendary or mythological figures from history, all brought vividly to life in stunning detail. In addition, the domestic sand sculpture competition officially kicks off today, allowing the public to observe the sand carving process up close during the event and interact with the sculptors. For a different perspective on the sculptures, visitors can also join the independent paddleboarding and canoeing experiences offered by Fleur de Chine Hotel, viewing the sand sculptures from the water’s edge for a truly unique view.
▲ Superheroes take center stage in the competition.
▲ Paddling a canoe to view the sand sculptures is both fun and exciting.
2017 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
Date: May 6 – July 9
Venue: Fulong Beach, Fleur de Chine Hotel
Admission: General admission NT$100, group ticket NT$90, special discount ticket (for children aged 3–12 and seniors aged 65+ with valid ID) NT$50
※ Children under 3 years old enter free
※ Residents of Gongliao District may enter free of charge upon presenting valid ID (only applicable to the cardholder)
※ Individuals with disabilities may enter free of charge with their disability handbook, along with one accompanying person.
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