Challenge the World's Largest Mango Shaved Ice – Seven Ice Shops in Tainan Join Forces to Create It

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

The hot summer is not only the perfect time for cold treats but also the peak season for sweet mangoes. Southern Taiwan enters the mango harvest season starting in June, and from June to July, the Tainan International Mango Festival takes place. Among the highlights, ice shops along the old street in Yujing, Tainan, boast a century-long mango history.

At the opening of the mango festival, the local district office collaborated with ice shop owners to serve a massive 150-kilogram mango shaved ice that caught everyone’s eye. But in July, they aim to challenge the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest shaved ice, featuring a staggering 1,500-kilogram creation.

Every summer is the peak tourist season for the Yujing shopping district. Visitors can enjoy a variety of mango dishes at the International Mango Festival and participate in DIY experiences. This year’s world’s largest shaved ice challenge brings together seven local ice shops: Yijian Ice Shop, Yujing Old Street Ice Shop, Yujing Zan Ice Shop, Yumei Mango Shaved Ice, Guangguang Fruit Workshop, Yujian Fruit Aroma, and the Passionate Boy Mango Shaved Ice Parlor run by the farmers’ association.

The event kicks off early in the morning on July 8th. The Yujing District Farmers’ Association has mobilized over ten fruit farmers who aim to peel, pit, and slice 3,333 mangoes within one hour. These highly skilled farmers use small curved knives to quickly prepare each large mango — peeling, removing the core, and slicing it into two pieces in just seconds. Visitors can witness this incredible skill firsthand.

Meanwhile, thousands of kilograms of ice bricks are transported from the Yujing District Farmers’ Association’s freezers and handed over to 12 veteran shaved ice makers operating 12 machines. Racing against time to prevent melting, they aim to shave 700 kilograms of ice as quickly as possible. An additional 400 kilograms of crushed ice, 400 kilograms of mango chunks, and 120 kilograms of ice cream are added into a large container, which is then weighed on a giant scale.