It’s the perfect time to experience the fun of Yummy rice and explore Yilan!

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

Starting December 3–4, Wujie Township in Yilan County will host a Golden Sprouting Rice Travel Experience Trial Event. The itinerary includes experiences such as riding a duck mother boat, DIY rice burgers, learning about local Yilan opera, joining the Wanggong Temple celebration, cycling, tasting Wujie’s duck rice clay pot rice or rice rolls, strolling through the old street... and more.

Since the development of the Lanyang Plain, Wujie Township has been known as the “Wujie Rice Granary,” serving as a key hub for rice production in the Lanyang region. With a cultivation area of 1,100 hectares, it accounts for over one-ninth of Yilan County’s total rice planting area (9,100 hectares), yielding 6,600 metric tons annually. Additionally, the local farmers’ association has successfully introduced and cultivated Koshihikari rice from Japan, which is now available on the market.

This travel experience event coincides with the Yilan Wanggong Cultural Festival. On the evening of December 2 at 7 PM, there will be a “Cultural Erjie: 40th Anniversary Celebration” with traditional performance troupes. From December 3–4, between 8 AM and 9:30 PM, there will be a series of exciting folk celebrations and experiential activities, including the Yilan Local Arts Festival, the Wujie Township Local Culture and Agricultural Specialties Exhibition, performances by the Wanggong God Drum Team... Highlights include the Wanggong Fire-Walking Ceremony and the “carrying the bridal sedan through the fire” ritual starting at 1 PM on December 4, culminating in a Taiwanese opera performance by the Lanyang Drama Troupe at 7 PM — the climax of the entire event!

Beyond this tour, the local government also plans to launch a Wujie packaged tour around mid-January 2012. Interested individuals can join the Facebook group “Wujie YUMMY Sprouting Rice Fan Club” to stay updated on the launch date, or take advantage of the weekend of December 3–4 to join in the fun in Wujie Township. For more information, visit the Wujie Township Sprouting Rice website at www.wujieyummy.com or call the Wujie Township Office at 03-950-1115.