[Family Travel]2017 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival – See, Play with Sand, and Enjoy the Waves

The "Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival" officially entered its 10th edition in 2017. This year, it invited 22 sand sculptors from 13 countries to join in the celebration, sparking creative sparks. The event will grandly kick off and warmly welcome visitors from May 6 to July 9. With the theme "Golden Sands of Fulong – A Decade Builds a City," the international sand sculpture festival features a massive 13-meter-tall fantastical golden sand castle. It begins with the whimsical world of a 10-year-old girl’s imagination, where visitors pass through a sand-sculpted gate representing her fantasy world and step into a joyous carnival within a grand castle, featuring a total of 40 sculptures. The international sand sculpture competition area, themed "Heroes," showcases 20 works and invites 20 sand sculpting artists from 13 countries (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, India, Japan, South Korea, and more) to participate. The domestic sand sculpture competition, "Treasures of the Golden City – Local Charm," offers visitors their own unique summer golden sand memories.

Fulong’s golden beach is renowned for its naturally fine and soft sand quality, excellent moldability when wet, and strong adhesive properties. It has been rated by the World Sand Sculpture Association as the most suitable site in Taiwan for sand sculpture, earning high praise from international sand sculptors. The sand sculptures are divided into three zones: the Sand Sculpture Exhibition Area, the International Competition Area, and the Domestic Competition Area.

From Saturday, May 6, 2017 (6th), to Sunday, July 9, 2017 (9th): Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM); Saturday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM)

1. Train: Take a Taiwan Railways train to Fulong Station, then follow the signs and walk for about 5 minutes to reach the event site.
From May 6 to July 9, 2017, additional train services will be available on Saturdays, Sundays, and on May 29 and 30 at Fulong Station as follows:
(1) Tze-Chiang Limited Express: Trains 212, 170, 177, 427, 473.
(2) Fu-Hsing Semi-Express: Train 691.
(3) Local Express: Trains 4026, 4027 (additional stops daily from July 1 to 9).

2. Bus: You can take Ubus (Taipei–Ludong), Kavalan Bus (Guojia Xincheng–Fulong), or the specially arranged 2017 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Golden Fulong Line.” Get off at the Fulong Visitor Center stop and follow the signs to walk to the event.
3. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: One-Day Tour of the Northeast Coast’s Golden Shore

4. Free Shuttle Bus and Parking Information
Shuttle Stops: Yenliao Beach Park → Longmen (Sports Park) → Longmen Camping Area Parking Lot → Fulong Visitor Center
Shuttle Dates (21 public holidays in total):
May: 5/6, 5/7, 5/13, 5/14, 5/20, 5/21, 5/27, 5/28, 5/29, 5/30 (10 days total)
June: 6/4, 6/10, 6/11, 6/17, 6/18, 6/24, 6/25 (7 days total)
July: 7/1, 7/2, 7/8, 7/9
Free shuttle bus operating hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Departure frequency: One bus every 60 minutes

Park your car at the Fulong Bathing Beach parking lot, buy your ticket, cross the bridge, and you’re there at Up !

I heard you can go canoeing here too!

Once you enter the archway, you can find many works that are perfect for photos and check-ins.

This year’s theme: "Fulong Golden Sand – A Decade of the City."

The facial expressions of the sand sculptures are incredibly lifelike, and the craftsmanship is very delicate.

The level of detail is comparable to appreciating a sculpture.

Take a closer look at the details—the depth and texture are all exquisitely done.

The eyes and body postures are very natural, and it’s a bit breathtaking when you first see them.

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Cute gingerbread man

At the back is the Sand Sculpture Competition

Sand sculpture artists from around the world are making their final adjustments

Overall, it's really great here! You should come visit Fulong when you get the chance — don’t forget to try the Fulong Bento >> Fulong Bento, Countryside Bento, Platform Bento’s founding store

Phone: Fulong Visitor Center 02-24991210
Website: http://events.necoast-nsa.gov.tw/sandart17
Event: The organizers are offering a special promotion on the morning of May 6th (the opening day of the event), where the first 1,000 visitors can enter for free starting at 8 AM. From 12 PM onwards, 1,000 souvenir gifts will be available at the venue’s information desk. Visitors can receive one simply by checking in and uploading a photo to their personal Facebook or by liking and joining the Northeast Coast Friends FB fan page. Those born on a date containing the number “10” (such as October or the 10th of any month, verified by ID) can participate in an on-site lucky draw for a chance to win a NT$100 gift voucher from 7-Eleven. Present your electronic receipt for entry tickets purchased between May 6th and July 9th at any of the 21 participating merchants to enjoy exclusive discounts. Or visit Fullon Hotel Fulong Branch to get 20% off ocean hot springs and 10% off meals at the Chinese and Western restaurants, among many other great offers. Renowned sand sculpture artist Teacher Ding Yuanqian will hold two sand sculpture workshops (on May 20th and June 17th) during the event period, where visitors can learn sand-carving techniques and create their own version of the City of Glory.

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