Spectacular！Hairy sea urchins and giant crabs appear on Xinyi Coast, drawing crowds for photos

Reported by Chen Hanyin / Taoyuan

Taoyuan’s Xinyi District is famous for its natural attractions such as stone weirs, coastal lines, and Yong’an Fishing Port. To showcase the area’s unique natural landscape, the government invited several artists to jointly create the “2016 Taoyuan Land Art Festival.” Even before the exhibition officially opened, the giant sea urchin standing on the shore has captured considerable attention. Named “Eternal Sea,” it is the creation of artist Lin Shun-long, symbolizing eternal life and silently protesting against the damage humans have done to the marine environment.

▲ The sea urchin with its “angry hair” stands tall along the coastline, offering people a reflective space to quietly listen to the ocean. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ The land art piece “Eternal Sea.” (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ “Eternal Sea” depicts the angry, bristling appearance of the sea, creating a highly striking visual effect. (Photo / Reporter Chen Hanyin)

“Eternal Sea” is constructed from thousands of bamboo poles of varying lengths. The hollow structure of the bamboo allows sunlight to filter through, creating one of the brightest artistic spaces imaginable. Its breathable and ventilated interior design keeps the temperature inside about five degrees cooler than outside, making it a popular spot for visitors to stretch out and cool off during the hot summer days. Additionally, the bamboo structure produces crisp sounds as it gently collides with the sea breeze, and its unique ventilation pipe design allows visitors to close their eyes, press their ears to the pipes, and listen intently to the sound of the waves crashing.

% Users take photos of the “2016 Taoyuan Land Art Festival.”

▲ The interior is well-ventilated and cool, perfect for sitting and relaxing. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ A special ventilation pipe design that lets you hear the sound of the waves. (Photo / Reporter Chen Hanyin)

Another eye-catching piece is the “Many Thanks, Many Crabs,” created by internationally renowned bamboo weaver Tsai Yen-an. It is also part of the festival’s exploration of environmental themes. “Many Thanks, Many Crabs” uses locally abundant reeds as its base material, cleverly interpreting the region’s characteristics. The work playfully forms the image of a giant crab peering out with differently sized eyes. Liu Wen-lin, the event’s planning director, explained: “This artwork uses a wide variety of materials and required over a month to complete. It took a lot of effort!” This massive ocean-themed piece evokes thoughts of coastal life and has become a favorite photo spot and resting place for families.

▲ The giant crab artwork is entirely handwoven from bamboo strips. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ The adorable “Many Thanks, Many Crabs” is especially popular with children. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Beyond these large-scale artistic landmarks, the environmentally conscious “Fu-Qiu Flowers” series is also charming and eye-catching. Non-biodegradable marine debris is one of the serious sources of ocean pollution. Dr. Ho Chun-hsien, a Ph.D. in Marine Engineering from National Taiwan University, collected discarded buoys during beach clean-ups and used them as materials. By incorporating height differences and effective drainage designs, he created a spiral-shaped “Fu-Qiu Flower Wall” that requires no energy or watering. The frog-shaped “Fu-Qiu Circles” placed on the ground also provide a spot for visitors to take photos or take a short rest.

▲ The “Fu-Qiu Flower Wall” symbolizes blessings and the sustainable management of nature. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ Discarded materials transformed into cute frog seats. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

▲ Frog-shaped buoys offer a place for the public to sit and enjoy the ocean view. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

The promotion of the Taoyuan Land Art Festival not only delivers a visually stunning art experience and boosts tourism in Xinyi, but also aims to advocate for sustainability and the protection of the marine environment. In addition to the limited-time installations, these land art pieces will remain permanently in their locations after the event, serving as precious mementos for local residents and continuing to safeguard the beautiful natural landscape of Xinyi’s coastline. For those who haven’t made holiday plans for the Mid-Autumn break, the Taoyuan Land Art Festival offers the chance to enjoy the sea breeze, admire art, and embark on an enlightening coastal journey.

▲ Hairy sea urchins and giant crabs appear on Xinyi Coast.

2016 Taoyuan Land Art Festival

Event Period: September 9 – September 25
Event Location: Xinyi – Yong’an Fishing Port / Green Corridor / Community Settlements
                 Bade – Pond Ecological Park / Community Settlements
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10:00–18:00, Holidays 9:00–18:00 (including Mid-Autumn Holiday)
Transportation Notes: No vehicles allowed in exhibition areas; bicycle rentals available on site.

% Users take photos of the “2016 Taoyuan Land Art Festival.”