By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The "2014 Central Taiwan Agricultural Expo" held at Fizz Low Park in Xizhou, Changhua, featured exciting activities, and the Changhua Fizz Low Hot Air Balloon Carnival, held in conjunction with the expo, quickly became a focal point for visitors. The hot air balloon carnival ran from June 27 to July 6, with additional morning sessions added daily. Tethered ride times were scheduled from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM each day, while the original afternoon sessions continued as usual and were extended until 7:00 PM.
The Changhua Fizz Low Hot Air Balloon Carnival is the largest hot air balloon event in central Taiwan, attracting many visitors eager to experience it. (Image source / Changhua County Government)
As dusk falls, the venue draws numerous tourists who gather to watch the hot air balloons take flight. On holidays, the crowds are especially dense. The daily quota of 200 free experience vouchers (400 on holidays) is quickly exhausted. To accommodate the high volume of visitors and account for local wind conditions, additional morning sessions have been scheduled, offering more choices and opportunities for those interested in experiencing Central Taiwan’s grandest hot air balloon carnival. In response to the increased number of sessions and the public’s enthusiastic participation, the Changhua County Government has introduced a special discount: residents of Changhua (current or former) or overseas Changhua natives can exchange invoices totaling NT$5,000 spent in Changhua County during May, June, July, or August for one free experience voucher. Additionally, when two people go together, one enjoys a complimentary ride. For visitors from other counties or cities, under the same invoice redemption criteria, one out of every four people in a group will receive a complimentary ride.
To avoid inconvenience caused by weather-related delays or cancellations of hot air balloon launches, the Changhua County Government stated that visitors who have already redeemed their invoices do not need to return them, nor do they need to give back the experience vouchers they received. Ticket holders can choose another date during the event period to ride, though they will still need to queue on-site and wait for their turn.
The "2014 Central Taiwan Agricultural Expo" not only showcases premium agricultural products from Changhua, Nantou, and Yunlin in the nursery area but also features a phytoncide trail surrounded by glossypetalum trees in the forest area. A forest music concert is also planned, with weekly performances to immerse visitors in the natural ambiance of phytoncides while enjoying musical performances. The event also includes the Blooming Smile Nursery and Gardening Exhibition, guided tours of greenhouse flower and vegetable cultivation, an orchid exhibition, a high-end horticulture facility exhibition, an Agricultural Grand View Garden, and ongoing cultural and artistic performances.