The Nation’s First Underwater Christmas Tree: Liuchuan Christmas Carnival Becomes a New Hotspot for Photo Ops

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

As Christmas approaches, various parts of Taiwan are gearing up with festive decorations and setting up all kinds of Christmas trees. In addition to New Taipei City’s light show Christmas tree and Tainan’s bamboo-woven Christmas tree, Taichung is set to unveil Taiwan’s first underwater Christmas tree. In previous years during the Christmas season, the Taichung City Government set up Christmas trees at Taiwan Boulevard Civic Plaza and Fengyuan Yangming Building and held a series of events. This year, they have decided to move the celebration to Liuchuan and Yangming Building.

The “2017 Taichung Christmas Carnival Series” features a 9-meter-tall underwater Christmas tree in Liuchuan. The design of the tree is inspired by the concept of Liuchuan’s flowing waters and is adorned with four major export flowers of Taichung: anthurium, gladiolus, phalaenopsis, and lily, to welcome the 2018 Taichung Flower Expo. Meanwhile, the Yangming Building will continue to host a Christmas tree and related activities.

This year’s series of events in the Liuchuan area include a Christmas market from December 9 to 25, featuring a mix of local Taiwanese and international cuisine, as well as cultural and creative works, allowing visitors to experience both Taichung and Nordic flavors. There are also two interactive installations that combine technology to offer visitors a cutting-edge shadow puppetry experience. After Christmas, the creative light art display along Liuchuan will continue until March 4, 2018. Meanwhile, the Fengyuan Yangming Building will host a three-day program from December 23 to 25, featuring singing, dancing, and street performances.

The Liuchuan riverside area (from Taiwan Boulevard section to Minquan Road section) will be closed for 11 days from November 27 to December 7 for the installation of Christmas lights, concert setups, and equipment maintenance. Entry will be temporarily prohibited during this period. Visitors are advised to take note and cooperate. While the east and west sidewalks along Liuchuan will remain open during the closure, large cranes will still be in operation. Visitors are urged to stay safe and avoid entering the riverside area.