By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
The much-anticipated 228 holiday has finally arrived！During these 3 days off, in addition to the 1,600 paper panda exhibition opening at Taipei’s Civic Square, the bloom explosion at Yangmingshan and the Aowanda Wushe cherry blossoms entering their prime viewing period are must-see seasonal events. Moreover, the Alishan Forest Railway has added extra trains for the 228 holiday, and the new yacht route at Kaohsiung’s Hongmaogang Cultural Park set sail today (28th). The inaugural 2013 FORMOSA Sculpture Biennale will also conclude in just 2 days. Those who haven’t decided how to spend the holiday, hurry up and plan your itinerary！
For the 228 holiday, quickly arrange a series of exciting activities for yourself！(Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin)
“1600 Panda World Tour—Taipei” Kicks Off
The large-scale outdoor installation exhibition “1600 Panda World Tour—Taipei,” jointly organized by Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism and Left Brain Creative Marketing, is set to launch in Taipei on February 28. The exhibition will be divided into two phases: the first phase will be held at Civic Square, where the Taipei City Government has also planned the “Bears Are Worth Seeing” project. Not only will there be adorable paper panda sculptures, but the exhibition area will also be decorated with various flowers and green panda sculptures, complemented by lighting in the evening to create a beautiful light show. The second phase will be held at the National Theater and Concert Hall Arts Plaza, where 200 specially created paper sculptures of Taiwan black bears for the Taipei event will make their debut.
Dates: First phase from February 28 to March 9, second phase from March 14 to March 30
Location: Civic Square, National Theater and Concert Hall Arts Plaza
Image is a composite illustration. The highly anticipated paper panda exhibition will open today (28th) at Civic Square. (Image provided by Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism)
Yangmingshan Flower Season in Full Bloom
The 2014 Yangmingshan Flower Season runs from now until March 9. At various themed spots within Yangmingshan Park—including the Flower Clock, Fountain, Cherry Blossom Grove, Visitor Center, and Wang Yangming Statue—a variety of blooming flowers can be seen. The two major highlight floral events that always draw crowds during the Yangmingshan Flower Season are the “Yoshino Cherry Explosion” in front of the Visitor Center and the “White Narcissus Field” near the pond at Hushan Green Space, where over 8,000 narcissus flowers bloom simultaneously, filling the air with a rich fragrance. Currently, the blooming progress is estimated to be around 50–60%, with the peak expected to occur between now and February 28.
Dates: Flower Season activities run from now until March 9
Location: Various themed spots within Yangmingshan Park
The climax of the Yangmingshan Flower Season—Yoshino cherries and narcissus in full bloom. (Image source / from Yangmingshan Flower Season Facebook page)
Aowanda Wushe Cherry Blossoms in Their Best Viewing Period
The cherry blossom season at Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area, managed by the Nantou Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau, is reaching its final crescendo. The office reports that the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms are nearing the end of their bloom, scattering crimson petals across the ground, while the Aowanda cherry—Taiwan’s smallest, rarest, and endemic white cherry species—is currently in full bloom. The best viewing period for Aowanda cherries is estimated to last until early March.
Dates: Best viewing period runs from now until early March
Location: Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area
Aowanda’s Wushe cherry blossoms are currently in full bloom. (Image source / from the Nantou Forest District Office official website)
Alishan Forest Railway Adds Extra Trains
To accommodate the surge in passengers during the 228 holiday, the Alishan Forest Railway has scheduled additional passenger trains on specific dates. On February 28, one extra round-trip Alishan train will operate: uphill departure at 9:30 AM from Chiayi Station, arriving at Fenchihu Station at 11:50 AM; downhill departure at 1:30 PM from Fenchihu Station, arriving at Chiayi Station at 3:50 PM. On March 1 and 2 (2 days), one extra non-reserved round-trip Zhongxing air-conditioned express train will run daily: uphill departure at 8:30 AM from Chiayi Station, arriving at Fenchihu Station at 10:50 AM; downhill departure at 1:30 PM from Fenchihu Station, arriving at Chiayi Station at 3:50 PM.
Dates: February 28, and March 1 and 2
In response to the 228 holiday, the Alishan Forest Railway will add extra passenger trains. (Image provided by JERRY YANG)
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