[Weekend Fun in Taiwan]Yilan Green Expo Draws Huge Crowds; Limited-Edition Hello Kitty-Themed SNOOPY Graffiti Train Runs on Kaohsiung MRT

As spring returns and flowers bloom, various plants are putting on a colorful show. The “Spiranthes sinensis” at Guandu Nature Park is also in full bloom at this time. Named for its flower spike resembling a ribbon, it is also called “Qingming Grass” because it blooms around the Qingming Festival. As a member of the Orchidaceae family, its flower spike coils around the stem like a red or green dragon, and its fleshy roots resemble ginseng, hence it is also commonly known as “Panlong Shen.”

 

When not in bloom, Spiranthes sinensis blends in with the grass and is hard to spot. From April to early May each year, tiny “dragon pillars” sprout across the grasslands of Guandu Nature Park, soon giving way to small purple-red or white flowers. With larger lips and uniquely delicate shapes, these lovely little blooms emit a faint, elegant fragrance.

 

Location: Guandu Nature Park

Since its opening on White Day this year, the “Pingxi Police Station Policemen’s Sky Lantern” has been widely praised. To allow more visitors to experience the charm of customized LED wish sky lanterns, additional shows have been added starting April 10, with hourly lantern displays and personalized LED wish lanterns beginning daily at 16:00.

 

Location: Pingxi Police Station, New Taipei City

Taiwan’s most local, most international, and most literary “2014 Tainan Arts Festival” runs for over two months from now until June 20. A total of 59 groups from Taiwan and 10 other countries will stage up to 185 performances of drama, dance, and music across various locations in Tainan City. The Tainan City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau stated that “International Classics, Taiwanese Excellence, and Urban Stages” are the three major themes of this year’s “Tainan Arts Festival.” Linked by literature, it can be described as Taiwan’s “most local, most international, and most literary” arts festival. Among them, the “Festival Night” kicks off at 18:30 on April 12 at Nanying Green Heart, with the “West Side Story Film Symphony Concert” grandly opening the “International Classics” section of the 2014 Tainan Arts Festival.

 

Location: Tainan City

Dates: Now until June 20

For the first time, the Kaohsiung MRT Corporation has arranged a themed graffiti train on both the Red and Orange Lines. The Red Line train features Snoopy and his friends, while the Orange Line train showcases images of Snoopy and his companions participating in various sports from the comics. These two graffiti trains will run in conjunction with the “Into the Peanut Comics – SNOOPY 65th Anniversary Tour Exhibition” at Kaohsiung’s Pier-2 Art Center until August 31, when the exhibition ends.

 

Location: Kaohsiung City