By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled & reported
Want to sample local delicacies, whether it’s Hsinchu’s káng-ôan (pork meatballs) or Hualien’s má-bā (pork rice)? Don’t miss out — on May 4–5, the “Urban-Rural Tribute: Taipei Carnival” event will take place at Taipei City Hall Plaza. This year’s event brings together shops offering distinctive goods or services from all over Taiwan, allowing both locals and international visitors to come to one venue and purchase high-quality, uniquely Taiwanese products all in one go.
Visit Taipei City Hall Plaza this weekend to shop a wide selection of Taiwan’s specialty foods, goods, and services. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Economic Development)
The “Urban-Rural Tribute: Taipei Carnival” is now in its fourth year. The event is divided into eight major themed zones: baking industry, digital life, specialty dining, wellness & leisure, non-store retail, beauty & fashion, cultural creativity, and regional specialty products. A total of 500 quality stores from across Taiwan’s urban and rural areas are participating, including Kang Xih’s Golden Croissant from Sanxia, Quick Train Dried Meats from Taipei’s Nanmen Market, Lin San-yi from Dadaocheng, Tseng Ji Má-bā from Hualien, Ruei Lan’s Black Pepper Pork Buns from Yilan, Gourmet Master’s Tainan Oyster Omelet, Tainan Big Tree Restaurant’s Braised Pork Rice, Mei Wei Fang’s Rice Vermicelli with Pork Intestines, Wushipu Tofu from New Taipei, A-Po’s Pickled Mustard Greens, Tiger Sugar Bubble Tea, and the beloved Gourmet Beauty Network. There’s also the popular Chief’s Tea Eggs for cycling fans.
On the opening day, May 4, there will be a “Joyful Flower Car Parade,” featuring pumpkin carts, medieval carriages, vintage tricycles, classic cars, and street performers, creating a romantic atmosphere across different eras. A special “Bride Zone” themed “2013 – Love You for a Lifetime” will also be set up for couples about to walk down the aisle, showcasing wedding accessories and items, with everything needed from engagement to marriage available for one-stop shopping to complete your happiness.
Additionally, there will be fun activities such as scanning QR codes to fill out surveys for gifts, liking posts to win prizes, “Playful DIY,” “All About the Bride — Quiz Contest,” “Charity Auctions Starting at NT$1,” and “Happy Wedding Discount Packages.” Plus, spend NT$500 or more on-site to enter lucky draws for prizes like LCD TVs and shopping vouchers, with over 1,000 prizes available across the two days.
During the event, traffic control will be enforced on sections of Shifu Road (between Songshou Road and Songgao Road) and Xin Ren’ai Road. The restrictions begin at 9:00 PM on Friday, May 3, and end at 4:00 AM on Monday, May 6. Vehicles will be prohibited from using these roads during this time. Some bus routes that normally pass through Xin Ren’ai Road will be rerouted to Yixian Road; those passing through Shifu Road (Songshou–Songgao) will be diverted to Songzhi Road, Songgao Road, or Songshou Road. Passengers boarding or alighting at City Hall Bus Stop should use the adjacent stops instead. Official event website: www.bizmatching.org.tw.
● Extended Reading: 2013 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival Opens May 4 with Free Entry in the Morning
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