By MOOK Attractions Life Net, reported by Chen Guanxin
The 9-day Lunar New Year holiday is highly anticipated by the public, and various “spring outings” (走春) events across Taiwan are kicking off. This special feature from our Attractions section compiles information on activities and theme park discounts throughout Taiwan during the New Year period. It also provides traffic tips and shuttle bus info for popular destinations during the holiday break, helping readers stay informed and enjoy a pleasant holiday with family.
During this 9-day holiday, those planning domestic trips can join local spring outing events, while theme parks across Taiwan are also offering numerous promotions. (Photo provided by Mookei Editorial Department)
I. Lunar New Year Spring Outing Events Across Taiwan
Taipei City—Shopping Spree at Malls
Taipei City is launching the “Taipei New Year Shopping Month” from now until February 17. Department stores such as SOGO, Far Eastern Department Store, ATT4fun, and others are offering discounts starting from 50% off, while Jing Xiang Mall is starting at 70% off. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s New Year lucky draw includes grand prizes such as Star Cruises free cruises and stay vouchers for The Lalu Resort in Beitou. Three major hypermarket chains will operate 24 hours during the Spring Festival. Carrefour offers a NT$200 cash voucher for every NT$2,000 spent by members between 1:00 and 7:00 am daily. For more details, visit: www.tripass.net/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=8292.
New Taipei City—Stamp Collection for Big Prizes at Museums
During the Lunar New Year holiday, museums in New Taipei City including the Chu Wei-Ying Art Museum in Jinshan, the Li Tien-lu Puppet Theatre Museum in Sanchi, and the Hsinpingxi Coal Mine Museum in Pingxi will open on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10). Other venues under the New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Bureau, such as the Sanxia History Museum, Gold Museum, Tamsui Historic Museum, Yingge Ceramics Museum, National Heritage Site Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion, Pinglin Tea Museum, and Fuzhong 15—New Taipei Animation Story Museum, will be closed only on New Year’s Eve and the first day, reopening on the second day (February 11). Additionally, the Xindian History Museum, Xinzhuang Arts Center, and World Religion Museum will open on the fourth day (February 13). From February 10 to 17, the public can collect stamp booklets at 20 public and private museums in New Taipei. Collecting all 20 museum stamps qualifies participants to redeem the grand prize—a replica of master sculptor Ju Ming’s “Humanity Series—Queue.” For more details, visit: www.tripass.net/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=8333.
Taichung City—International Traditional Arts Showdown
The Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau has planned a traditional arts spring outing event running from February 12 to 15. This program connects the city center and the three regional centers (mountain, sea, and Tuntun) with 32 performances featuring international groups from Japan, Bolivia, Africa, Mexico, and local teams showcasing traditional arts.
Taichung’s Traditional Arts Spring Outing kicks off a series of cultural performances starting February 12. (Photo provided by Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Tainan City—Hot Air Balloon tethered rides
From now until February 17, Tainan is holding the “2013 Tainan Winter Hot Air Balloon Carnival” series, featuring tethered hot air balloon rides at Zouma La Ranch. This offers a major tourist attraction for the winter holiday and Lunar New Year period. Soaring above Zouma La in a hot air balloon provides stunning views of the lunar-like terrain. Popular tethered rides last 5 minutes per person at NT$500 each, with three daily sessions at 7:00–9:00, 11:00–12:30, and 17:30–19:30 (only the morning session is available on February 9). In addition, a hot air balloon light and music show will be held on the evenings of February 10 and 16 from 18:00 to 18:30. For more details, visit: ezmon.pwserv.com/tainanfly.
Visitors to Tainan during the Lunar New Year can also try tethered hot air balloon rides. (Photo provided by the 2013 Tainan Winter Hot Air Balloon Carnival)
Kaohsiung City—One-Day City Tours
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau is now offering 399 TWD “Explore Kaohsiung” one-day city tours with three themed routes: “Marine Culture,” “Wetland Ecology,” and “Flower Bloom World.” Tours require a minimum of 20 participants and include visits to Qianzhen Fishing Port, a cuttlefish roe factory tour, an educational trip to the Native Plant Garden, cultural experiences at Pier-2 Art Center, Meinong Folk Village, and the Hakka Cultural Museum. Starting February 16, independent travelers or small families with fewer than 20 people can also join half-day tours organized by the Kaohsiung Tour Guide Association. These include visits to world-class glass art installations such as Narcissus Shoal’s “Dome of Light” and the century-old Takao Railway Station. For more details, visit: khh.travel/tw.
Pingtung County—Welcome the New Year with Flower Fields
In Pingtung County, fields of Cosmos flowers bloom in Manzhou Township, Xinpian Township, and Wanluan Township, while cherry blossoms gradually appear in the mountainous areas of Wutai and Majia. Among them, the flower fields covering nearly 30 hectares of Cosmos, Marigold, and Sunflower in Manzhou Village and Lide Village in Manzhou Township are among the earliest signs of spring. Xinpian Township's 1.2-hectare field includes an 8,000-square-meter area of Cosmos designed in wave patterns, displaying layers of blooms in white, red, yellow, and pink. Near the Jiazo Fire Station in Wanluan Township, you can find a 2-hectare Cosmos field expected to bloom through the Lunar New Year.
Cherry blossoms along Taiwan Route 24 in Wutai Township are gradually blooming, attracting many visitors. The Wutai Tribe plans to host market events and tour packages during the Lunar New Year. The mountainous areas of Majia Township are planted with cherry and peach blossoms, which typically start blooming around this time—first the cherry blossoms, followed by peach blossoms around early February. The Majia Township Office has partnered with the Wada Tribe Association of Majia Village to hold a “Peach Blossom Land Bike Ride, Hike & Flower Viewing Event” on February 14. For more details, visit: www.tripass.net/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=8313.
Cherry blossoms along Taiwan Route 24 in Wutai Township are gradually blooming, attracting many visitors. The Wutai Tribe plans to host market events and tour packages during the Lunar New Year. The mountainous areas of Majia Township are planted with cherry and peach blossoms, which typically start blooming around this time—first the cherry blossoms, followed by peach blossoms around early February. The Majia Township Office has partnered with the Wada Tribe Association of Majia Village to hold a “Peach Blossom Land Bike Ride, Hike & Flower Viewing Event” on February 14. For more details, visit: www.tripass.net/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=8313.
The wave-patterned Cosmos flower fields in Xinpian Township attract many visitors. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Tourism and Communications Department)
Taitung County—Explore by Bus and Bike
During the Lunar New Year, Taitung County Government is offering a series of “Eight Blessings” promotions. These include special tour bus routes from February 10 to 15, such as “Scenic Mountain & Sea Tour of Taitung,” “Classic Rural Longtian Tour,” “Scenic Town Loop in Guanshan,” “Rice Field Views in Chishang,” and “Azure Sea & Sky in Chenggong.” These combine bus and bicycle routes to link attractions, with two guaranteed departures each day at 555 TWD per person, allowing visitors to explore Taitung at a relaxed pace. Additionally, Taitung City will host events such as the “New Year Fun for Kids—2013 Lunar New Year Celebration” at Nanjing Road Square, and flower field tours hosted by four local farmers' associations. For more details, visit: www.hopemonkey.tw/2012bike.
II. Theme Park Promotions Roundup
The Tourism Bureau has coordinated discounts at theme parks nationwide. The “Early Bird 100, 100% Fun” promotion runs from now until February 9, offering the first 100 elementary school students each day the chance to enter for just 100 TWD when accompanied by one full-price adult. There is also the “New Year Joy Program” from February 10 to 17, where visitors can take photos with “New Year Joy” event boards at any theme park and upload them to the event website for a chance to win prizes. For more details, visit: www.themeparks.net.tw.
With winter break here, theme parks across Taiwan are rolling out discounted tickets and special events to attract visitors. (Photo provided by Mookei Editorial Department)
- 1
- 2