By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle / Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
With just one month to go until Christmas, festive celebrations across Taiwan are being unveiled one after another. Organized by the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration, the “White Christmas” event is showcasing creativity and ingenuity. Currently in Tainan’s Beimen Old Street, it is creating Taiwan’s one-of-a-kind “salty” Christmas wonderland. One of its star features is the most “salty” Santa Claus, who this year will act as a postman delivering “letters” of blessings. Thanks to his adorable and endearing appearance, he has instantly become a focal point, attracting many passersby to stop and take photos.
A Santa Claus made of coarse salt—something you can only see in Tainan’s Beimen Old Street. (Photo provided by Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration)
The director of the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Administration, Zheng Rongzhen, said that for many years, the local community has been giving back through various initiatives. The late Dr. Wang Jinhe dedicated himself selflessly to treating patients with blackfoot disease for decades, embodying the spirit of Santa Claus. In recognition of Dr. Wang’s kindness, this year the administration specially invited him to be the spokesperson for the event, making him Taiwan’s oldest Santa Claus. They have also designed a cute, Q-version image of Dr. Wang Jinhe, which is printed on postcards given to visitors in Beimen. This is meant to share the doctor’s love and care with the wider public.
Last year’s festive tree and Santa Claus night scene were dazzling, making everyone look forward to this year’s event. (Photo provided by Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration)
The rooftop Santa Claus, paired with a chimney design, stands approximately 3 meters tall and 2–3 meters wide. It was meticulously sculpted by Wanfo Village Workshop and renowned artist Teacher Zhuang Bishang using styrofoam, with parts sprayed with coarse salt produced in Jingzijiao. The installation is located on the roof of the Beimenyu Restaurant, with a rope connecting it to a mailbox set up below, so visitors can drop in their handwritten postcards. Its orientation complements the “Money Comes Easy Grocery Store,” and due to its prominent height and eye-catching design, it is very attention-grabbing.
The sunset event at Jingzijiao Salt Fields will begin at 16:30 on December 31. (Photo provided by Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area Administration)
The administration stated that the specially designed “Blessing” postcards will be available for collection starting from December 6, the day of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, at the Beimen Visitor Center. Only 1,000 postcards will be issued. Visitors can write messages of gratitude to loved ones, friends, or partners, fill in the recipient’s address, and drop the postcard into the dedicated Christmas mailbox near the “Beimen Christmas Square.” The cards will then be delivered free of charge. The event runs until December 25. Additionally, the 2013 White Christmas & Sunset Sending events will include a Christmas KUSO costume contest and a White Christmas street party in Beimen on December 22, and a sunset event at “Jingzijiao Salt Fields” at 16:30 on December 31. Related information and the registration form for the Christmas KUSO costume contest can be downloaded and viewed on the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan Administration’s official website.
● Further Reading:
New Taipei City’s Happy Christmas City to Light Up Soon – First Look at the Christmas Tree Main Lights
http://goo.gl/310o3s