A handy guide to Taiwan’s top 10 March events — will Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 become a zoo?

▲ Sea anemone flowers at Mingyang Pu Leisure Farm (Photo / Screenshot from2017 Zhuzihhu Sea Anemone Season official Facebook page).

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Spring has sprung, so stop hibernating at home. Starting in March, events across Taiwan are in full swing. Travel information website《Light Travel》has compiled a list of the top 10 March events. Whether you want to admire flowers, enjoy art, or even visit a zoo at Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Special Zone, why not pick a few activities that match your interests and add them to your Light Travel itinerary this holiday?

1. Taipei City – Yangmingshan Zhuzihhu Sea Anemone Season
As the cherry blossom season winds down, the month-long Zhuzihhu Sea Anemone Season takes the stage. The event features eco-cultural guided tours and farm experience activities. Those who missed out last year should mark the dates on their calendar this time.
Dates: March 24 to April 23, 2017
Location: Zhuzihhu Sea Anemone Gardens, Yangmingshan
Admission: Free
Official Website

▲ “Your Name” Exhibition opens at National Science and Technology Museum on March 29. (Photo / Screenshot from official website)

2. Taipei City – “Your Name.” Exhibition
With global box office earnings exceeding 10 billion yen, and even raking in 100 million NTD in Taiwan alone—surpassing any single animation film by Hayao Miyazaki—“Your Name” chose Taiwan as its first stop overseas, bringing nearly 300 original manuscript pieces. Fans of the movie must make a pilgrimage.
Dates: March 29 to June 11, 2017
Location: Special Exhibition Room, 7th Floor South Wing, National Science and Technology Museum (No. 189, Shishang Road, Shilin District, Taipei City)
Admission: 280 NTD per person
Official Website

▲ 2017 New Taipei City Sanzhi District Cherry Blossom Season, flower conditions on February 13 along Qingshan Road (Photo / Screenshot fromNew Taipei City Sanzhi District Office official Facebook page).

3. New Taipei City – Sanzhi Cherry Blossom Season Hiking
This year’s theme is “Sanzhi Cherry Blossom Season Hiking – Cherry Blossoms Soar Over Sanzhi.” The Sanzhi District Office has planted cherry trees for the past 20 years, and now the area boasts over 16,000 cherry trees. Various species such as mountain cherry, yaezakura, and Somei Yoshino bloom in succession, with white, pink, and peach-colored petals creating a breathtaking landscape. This destination has long been a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing.
Dates: March 4 to March 12, 2017
Location: SanSheng Trail, Sanzhi District, New Taipei City
Admission: Free
Official Fan Club

4. Taichung City - 2017 Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage
The 23rd day of the third lunar month is Mazu’s birthday, celebrated across Taiwan. Among these, the “Heavenly Mother” pilgrimage from Dajia Tianhou Temple is not only the spotlight of the nation but also internationally acclaimed as one of the “Three Major Religious Events in the World.” This 9-day, 8-night cultural and religious extravaganza will move your heart.
Date: March 24 to April 2, 2017
Location: Dajia Tianhou Temple
Official Fan Club

▲Photo for reference (Image / Screenshot from Jiuzhai Cultural Village’s Facebook fan page).

5. Nantou County - Jiuzhai Cultural Village Purple Love Lavender
Spring is the best season for flower viewing. Jiuzhai Cultural Village has planted hundreds of thousands of Spanish lavender plants, located in the Shuishalian European Palace Garden. With weekend band performances, you can immerse yourself in purple romance and a feast for the senses without leaving Taiwan.
Date: March 1 to April 4, 2017
Location: Jiuzhai Cultural Village
Ticket Price: NT$580 per person
Official Website

6. Changhua City - 2017 Eagle Soaring Bagua Carnival
Many people don’t know that you can also see “eagles” in Taiwan — they can be spotted at Bagua Mountain in Changhua. During the two-day event, there are free shuttle buses between Changhua Railway Station and the eagle-viewing platform. Bird lovers shouldn’t miss this.
Date: March 18 and March 19, 2017
Location: Bagua Mountain Range Ecological Visitor Center (No. 7, Lane 13, Guashan Road, Changhua City)
Official Website

▲Alishan Cherry Blossoms (Image / Screenshot from Alishan’s “Walking on Clouds” Fan Page).

7. Chiayi County - Alishan Cherry Blossom Season
Alishan is definitely on the list of top cherry blossom destinations. Yoshino cherry trees make up the majority, with over 1,900 trees, followed by Taiwan mountain cherry and some thousand Somei-Yoshino trees. Mid-March is the peak bloom period. Note that traffic control measures will be in place on weekends, with a daily visitor limit of 16,000 people.
Date: March 15 to April 15, 2017
Location: Alishan Forest Recreation Area
Ticket Prices
Official Website

8. Tainan City - 2017 Tainan Arts Festival
As Taiwan’s cultural capital, the Tainan Arts Festival invites performing arts troupes from around the world to perform, integrating art with cultural landmarks and historic sites, bringing art into every corner of the city. Highlights include the March 4 French Performance Express and the March 11 Sarah Brightman concert... all highly anticipated.
Date: March 4 to May 21, 2017
Location: Various districts in Tainan City
Official Website　Please check the official website for detailed ticket prices.

9. Kaohsiung City - Animal Party PIER ZOO
What? There’s a zoo in Pier-2 Art Center? Actually, no. Featuring ten Taiwanese contemporary artists who use animals as their creative theme, performers dress up and act comically, making it seem like a joyful party—but it subtly touches on issues such as animal conservation.
Dates: March 11 to May 14, 2017
Venue: Warehouse C5, Dayong Area, Pier-2 Art Center (No. 1, Dayong Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City)
Ticket: NT$149 per person for same-day tickets
Official website

10. Yilan City - 2017 Yilan Grand Worship Starlight Music Gala
To celebrate the birthday of the City God, the Yilan City Government is hosting the 2017 Yilan Grand Worship Starlight Music Gala. This year, six performing artists and cultural arts groups will defy expectations and move beyond traditional Taiwanese performances.
Date: March 5, 2017, 17:30–20:30
Venue: Hualong Yi Village, Yilan City (opposite Lancheng Crescent Plaza, at Parking Lot 204)
Ticket: Free
Website