Winter fun in Yilan: The Sanxing

When visiting Yilan in winter, besides soaking in hot springs, don’t forget the exciting "Silver Willow Festival" in the Sanxing area. Yilan County’s Sanxing has held the Silver Willow Festival for seven years, and this year's event takes place from 2010/12/25 to 2011/1/31. There will be a full month of exciting activities for the public to enjoy, and on 2011/1/1 to 2011/1/2, there will be special theme days featuring delicious food, fun activities, and lucky experience vouchers to be won.

A fun Rural Triathlon activity. (Photo provided by Sanxing Township Office)

The Sanxing area can be described as a pristine land within Yilan. Surrounded by the Snow Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Lanyang River, it has cultivated a unique cultural charm and high-quality produce. Among these, the silver willow leads the nation, accounting for 95% of the country's total production, earning Sanxing the reputation of the "Hometown of Silver Willows." This year’s Silver Willow Festival combines events such as "Creative Silver Willow Floral Artworks," "Silver Willow Floral Art Performance Show," "Sanxing Hospitality: Silver Willow Tasting Event," "Landscape Flower Field Activities," and "Sanxing Hospitality: Silver Willow Rural Triathlon," allowing visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of Sanxing’s silver willows.

The exclusive "Sanxing Hospitality: Silver Willow Creative Experience Vouchers" available only on theme days include DIY silver willow floral frames, DIY colorful flower art, silver willow picking experiences, and DIY Atayal accessories. Originally priced at 500 NT, they’re now available at a 60% discount—just 200 NT for a full day of fun, with a daily limit of 100 vouchers. The Datong Magnolia Tea Area is also offering a promotion: buy "Magnolia Tea and Get a Cup Free." Purchase magnolia tea worth 1,000 NT, book a hotel room, or reserve a table at a restaurant at designated stores to receive a special "Lidded Cup."

Floral Art Performance Show – Installation Art. (Photo provided by Sanxing Township Office)

In addition, the pioneering Rural Triathlon is quite unique, featuring challenges such as "tying straw bundles," "peeling silver willows," and "washing scallions." Those who complete them will earn the title of Rural Triathlete. There will also be live music performances by various bands, inviting everyone to join in the fun.