Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert
Before you know it, spring has arrived in full bloom. Have you decided where to go for the 228 Holiday or Qingming Festival? If you’ve had enough of the main island, why not explore Taiwan’s outlying islands? We’ve compiled a list of Penghu and Green Island events for the entire year of 2019. Follow along with us and check them out one by one — don’t just follow the crowd blindly, but figure out what kind of outlying island scenery you really want to see and experience!
Located near the Penghu Administration Office, the Penghu Recreation Area hosts a grand seasonal event every Spring Festival — the Winter Flower Sea. In addition to as many as 10 varieties of petunias, this year also features a new “Rainbow Flower Carpet” area with croton, Acalypha wilkesiana, dwarf ixora, hibiscus rosa-sinensis, petunias, lavender, dianthus barbatus, verbena, and tricolor hibiscus, forming a variety of colorful flower carpets. The total area spans 2.5 hectares. Other areas will also see different flowers blooming one after another from the Spring Festival until around the end of April. If you’re planning a free trip to Penghu in the first half of the year, this is definitely not to be missed!
■ Address: No. 165, Magong City, Penghu County
■ Official FB: Penghu County Forestry Park Management Office https://goo.gl/5CKPov
Many may not be familiar with Penghu in winter, but actually, the annual Lantern Festival is the biggest event across the entire island. From south to north and out to Xi Yu, celebrations are held everywhere. If you want to get to know local Penghu culture, this is the perfect time to visit. Events such as the Lantern Festival’s Turtle Begging Ceremony, the Martial Palanquin Parade, the Golden Turtle Welcoming Ceremony, various temple celebrations, and lantern lighting activities are all very lively. Xi Yu’s Wende Lufen (Note: possibly mistranscribed or unclear section)… Not to mention, there’s also the…
■ Event Website: Penghu National Scenic Area m
Penghu Events – 2019 Lantern Festival Activities. (Photo / Diaodao Happy Tour 0 / Penghu National Scenic Area FB)
When talking about Penghu events, you definitely can’t miss the most famous “Penghu Fireworks Festival”! The 2019 Penghu International Marine Fireworks Festival is scheduled to take place from April 18th to June 24th. This year, fireworks will again be launched every Monday and Thursday evening at Guanyin Pavilion in Magong City. In response to holidays and long weekends, special events have been added for Mother’s Day on May 12th and Dragon Boat Festival on June 8th, making a total of 22 shows — guaranteed to offer a spectacular, unforgettable experience!
Penghu Events – Penghu International Fireworks Festival Schedule. (Photo / Penghu County Tourism Bureau)
In addition to watching the fireworks, the Penghu Fireworks Festival also offers a unique limited-time activity: stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) while watching the fireworks under the guidance of professional instructors. Enjoy front-row views of the Penghu Fireworks Festival and become a shining star on the sea yourself!
Penghu Events – Nighttime SUP Experience. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Riding on the momentum of the Penghu International Marine Fireworks Festival, Penghu will also host the grand Penghu Island Carnival from August to November. This event combines several festivals including Father’s Day, Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day), and the Penghu Bay Carnival. Concerts, dance performances, and fireworks displays will be held at various Penghu attractions across Huxi Township, Baisha Township, Xi Yu Township, Wang’an Township, and Qimei Township. Even as summer transitions to autumn, Penghu still offers a unique landscape. Moreover, watching the fireworks during this period means fewer crowds than during the Fireworks Festival, and the cooler weather makes it quite comfortable!
Penghu Events – Qimei Snorkeling. (Photo / Tripbaa – Expert Guided Tours)
If Penghu is the most popular western outlying island, then Green Island is likely the eastern favorite. With abundant natural resources and breathtaking seascapes, Green Island attracts many travelers every summer for independent trips. Among them, quite a few come specifically to participate in marathons or long-distance swimming events, using physical exertion and sweat to enjoy the freedom of the green landscapes and island circumnavigation.
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Penghu Attractions – Qimei Double-Heart Stone Weir. (Photo / Tripbaa – Expert Guided Tours)
Thanks to the strong, warm Kuroshio Current flowing near Green Island, the surrounding waters boast rich coral landscapes and marine life. To allow more people to experience the beauty of Green Island, an annual 3-kilometer Green Island Open Water Swim is held. Participants can admire the crystal-clear sea while taking on the thrill of conquering the Kuroshio Current — a truly unique experience during a Green Island trip!
■ Event Date: 2019/5/19
■ Event Location: Zhongliao Boat Harbor, Green Island Township, Taitung County
■ Official FB: Penghu County Forestry Park Management Office
Green Island Independent Travel – Green Island Seascapes. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Green Island Independent Travel – Snorkeling Experience. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
The “Fire Island Marathon” is held annually around September, featuring three categories: 42K, 21K, and 5K. With golden rice fields along the Kinmatsu Boulevard in Changbin Township, the swaying rice waves and ocean waves complement local agricultural specialties. Runners can enjoy views of Nanliao Fishing Port, the Human Rights Memorial Park, Haba Dog and Sleeping Beauty rock formations, and Youzi Lake, among other Green Island attractions!
■ Event Date: 2019/9/29
■ Event Location: Human Rights Memorial Park, Green Island Township, Taitung County
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Green Island Attractions. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
If you think traveling to Green Island on your own in summer is too crowded, consider visiting during autumn or winter instead. And don’t worry about having nothing to do in this season—since any trip to Green Island will necessarily pass through Taitung, plan to spend some time there. Join the October Taitung Triathlon or the November Sanxiantai Marathon to challenge yourself and experience a different side of the East Coast.
■ Event Dates: Triathlon on 2019/10/19–20, Sanxiantai Marathon on 2019/11/16
The Sanxiantai Cross-Sea Bridge. (Photo / Pixabay)
[Authorized reprint from Tripbaa] Original article from [This Is a Must-Visit: The Penghu Fireworks Festival in 2019 & A Lazy Guide to Events in Penghu & Green Island]