Ripple through the grass with bamboo weavings — 6 must-photograph highlights at Yilan’s “Green Expo”

1. Dongshan Station “Green Expo Planting Landscape”
As soon as you exit Dongshan Station, you’ll see a vast green planting landscape. Looking straight on, it resembles a green ark carrying various animals and plants, aiming to let visitors experience green living here. The giant yet adorable plantings are the most eye-catching and photo-worthy attraction right after leaving the station.

▲ Art installation of the Iron Farmer.

2. The Iron Farmer
If you turn around to the back of Dongshan Station, you’ll see a group of “Iron Farmers” diligently working in the fields beside a vast expanse of farmland. Created by steel sculptor Liu Bo-cun, who drew inspiration from the image of farmers tilling the land, these 50 Iron Farmers stand at 250 cm tall. Using steel materials, they vividly depict the hard work of farmers, while their frame-like appearance resembles windows offering scenic views. Through these frames, you can admire the pastoral scenery of Dongshan Township, leaving a deep impression.

▲ The ripple maze inside the Eco Green Ark. (Photo provided by the Green Expo)

▲ You can actually walk into the ripple maze to experience it.

3. The Ripple Maze
Step into the Eco Green Ark and on the green space along the Dongshan River, you’ll see large-scale bamboo weavings rippling across the grass like waves. This piece was designed by land artist Li Kui-zhi, who used bamboo weaving art and driftwood among other diverse materials to create large and small ripple mazes. These complement the Dongshan River and allow visitors to actually walk inside and explore — fun and very photogenic.

▲ The tranquil environment of the Shuiyuan Green Realm feels like a secluded paradise.

4. Shuiyuan Green Realm
Located deeper within the Eco Green Ark site, the Shuiyuan Green Realm showcases the former lifestyle of the Kavalan people, recreating the scenery of a Kavalan family house. Visitors can enjoy indigenous dance performances here, taste Atayal-style meals, and participate in various Atayal craft DIY activities. Standing on the wooden Kavalan family house and bridge, you can admire the surrounding greenery and lake, enjoying a peaceful and leisurely time — also a popular spot for photos.

▲ The Drifting Lights are extremely popular when lit up at night.

5. The Night Scene Must-Photograph: “Drifting Lights”
Bringing the scene back to Dongshan Station, a bit further away, artist Huang Wen-yuan created this piece using 24 tons of driftwood, combined with drift bamboo and fabric, plus the addition of projection lights. The blue exterior is striking and eye-catching, and becomes even more dreamy when lit up at night. It became an instant favorite art installation among netizens even before the expo opened.

▲ A rice field canvas that can only be seen from the train.

6. The “Canvas of the Earth” – Only Visible from the Train
The “Canvas of the Earth” is the main visual design of the Green Expo, created by illustrator Xiao Huang Jian. Using rice paddies of different colors, it outlines a green ark in the fields, featuring ducks and water buffaloes representing the image of Yilan’s farming families, conveying the vision of green advocacy and practicing earth-friendly living.

When the train slowly pulls into Dongshan Station, you can take in the full view of the colored rice field from inside the carriage. Additionally, to encourage visitors to use public transport to reach the Green Expo, this year’s event has partnered with Taiwan Railways to launch steam train services starting April 20th, with 10 round trips traveling north and south. Train enthusiasts shouldn’t miss it.

▲ After the steam train is running, you can also catch glimpses of it from within the Eco Green Ark.

Yilan Green Expo
For ticket information:www.greenexpo.e-land.gov.tw
Event period: Now until May 14
Event location: Dongshan River Eco Green Ark
Address: No. 172, Section 2, Dongshan Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan County