【Weekend in Taiwan】Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival Kicks Off on Saturday, Hengchun Bluefin Tuna Festival Opens on the Same Day

The lush green lawns of the Dagou Creek Ecological Water Management Park are dotted with small, adorable white pom-pom flowers, forming a vast sea of white blossoms that resemble a snow-covered landscape. Paired with the surrounding mountain and water scenery, they compose a beautiful picture. These little white flower balls are the tiny sprites beautifying the earth this season—white clover.

 

Location: Neihu District, Dagou Creek Ecological Water Management Park

A large number of fireflies have appeared in Jiuzhuangli, Nangang District, Taipei City, glowing brilliantly in the darkness and tracing amazing paths in the night. Zhang Ruifang, the head of Jiuzhuangli, said that fireflies not only capture attention at night but also greatly benefit the ecosystem because they feed on aquatic snails and slugs. Moreover, as fireflies have high environmental requirements for survival, they serve as excellent indicators of ecological health. To welcome the warm and grateful month of May, Jiuzhuangli will hold a series of events including a firefly eco-themed exhibition and community carnival. On May 3rd, a carnival and a guided tour of the firefly-themed exhibition will be held at Jiuzhuang Elementary School.

 

Date: May 3

Location: Jiuzhuang Elementary School, Nangang District

The “2014 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival” will take place from May 3 to June 30 on Fulong Beach. This year, 30 sand sculptors from 17 countries including the United States, Canada, France, Ireland, Australia, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, the Czech Republic, India, West Africa, Portugal, Bulgaria, Latvia, Singapore, and Taiwan have been invited to participate in the international invitational competition. They are currently creating their works on Fulong Beach. The theme of this year’s sculptures is “An Incredible Journey of Wonder,” allowing visitors to travel through time and space on Fulong Beach—from joining Marco Polo on his journey eastward along the “Silk Road,” following Zheng He’s voyages to Africa, returning to the 18th century to “Around the World in 80 Days” with the French literary master, seeing the “Taipei 101” building in modern-day Taiwan, and finally taking a “space shuttle” to outer space to admire the “Twelve Zodiac Signs.” Each piece of work is sure to deliver a stunning visual impact to visitors.

 

Date: May 3 – June 30

Location: Fulong Beach, New Taipei City

Liao Rongqing, Director of the New Taipei City Government Agriculture Bureau, said that April to May is the romantic season when fireflies dance through the mountains and forests. In areas with good environmental conservation and minimal light pollution, fireflies can be found. Therefore, the Agriculture Bureau’s “2014 New Taipei City Firefly Feast” also recommends 42 firefly-viewing secret spots in areas such as Sanxia, Tucheng, Xindian, Wulai, Shiding, Pinglin, Shuangxi, Ruifang, Xizhi, Pingxi, Shimen, and Wanli. Firefly enthusiasts can plan trips during April and May to seek out these magical creatures. Detailed information about the recommended firefly-viewing spots for the “2014 New Taipei City Firefly Feast” can be found on the official website of the New Taipei City Government Agriculture Bureau.

 

Date: April – May

Location: Sanxia, Tucheng, Xindian, Wulai, Shiding, Pinglin, Shuangxi, Ruifang, Xizhi, Pingxi, Shimen, and Wanli, New Taipei City