Text/Compiled and reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network
The Sanxing Magnolia Tea Festival will take place from this Saturday (the 18th) to September 23rd. This year, the Sanxing District Farmers’ Association in Yilan has integrated the cultural elements of Hakka, indigenous people, and magnolia tea to specially plan a variety of tea industry activities. These include a tea mountain hiking event where participants can join a lucky draw simply by signing up — with a 100% chance to win — as well as free tea DIY experiences available upon purchasing tea products, or sampling magnolia-flavored meals infused with tea. Each weekend also features artistic performances such as Atayal dance, Hakka tea-picking songs and dances, and guitar performances, allowing music, cool evening breezes, and the fragrance of tea to accompany visitors through a delightful midsummer night.
Registration for the Magnolia Tea Mountain Hiking event on August 26th is open both on-site and online. (Photo provided by Sanxing District Farmers’ Association)
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Yulan Village is one of Yilan’s main tea-producing areas, leading the region in both yield and quality. This year, the Sanxing District Farmers’ Association has launched a series of promotional activities centered around the fragrance of magnolia tea starting August 18th. On August 26th, the Magnolia Tea Mountain Hiking event will not only offer gifts to all participants but also feature a lucky draw with prizes including double occupancy accommodation vouchers. Additionally, purchasing tea-related products worth over NT$500 will earn you a tea experience voucher, limited to 1,000 vouchers and available while supplies last. Photography enthusiasts can also participate in the Tea Aroma Photo & Essay Contest, with “tea aroma” as the theme — capture memories through the lens and share the refreshing essence of tea. Entries uploaded before September 25th could win a top prize of NT$5,000.
During the Tea Festival, weekend art and cultural events such as Atayal and Hakka tea-picking songs, dances, and guitar performances will also take place. (Photo provided by Sanxing District Farmers’ Association)
Those interested in a deeper experience of rural life in Sanxing, Yilan, can join the half-day Tea Culture Tour. Through hands-on tea picking and indigenous beadwork DIY activities, participants can gain an in-depth understanding of the development of the magnolia tea industry and the unique cultural resources of the local indigenous communities. Throughout the event period, performances such as Atayal dances and Hakka tea-picking songs will also be held at the Yulan Visitor Service Center and the Green Onion Cultural Park Plaza.
Magnolia Tea Festival
Dates: August 18 – September 23, 2012
Venue: Yulan Visitor Center
Tel: Sanxing Farmers’ Association 03-989-3170
Websites: Sanxing Farmers’ Association www.sunshin.org.tw, Yulan Leisure Agriculture Area www.yulan.org.tw, Tea Mountain Hiking & Original Tea Aroma Day Activity Website shan.sunshin.org.tw.
● Related Reading: Yilan Handcrafted Experiences – Fun in the Organic Countryside
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