Major Renovation of Taichung City Hall Plaza: Transforms into a Dreamland for Christmas

Photos and text provided by Taichung City Government Information Bureau

Where should you go to celebrate the upcoming Christmas holiday? This year, Taichung has come up with a creative idea — transforming the usually formal City Hall Plaza into a warm and magical dreamland. It features an 18-meter-tall LED-lit Christmas tree, with a giant gingerbread house at its base that can accommodate 20 people for visits. The city government has also set up large amusement facilities such as hot air balloons, a carousel, and a mini train, making the plaza a playground for both kids and adults.

Many Taichung residents have been pleasantly surprised in recent days when passing by Section 3 of Taiwan Boulevard, where they found the vast City Hall Plaza adorned with dazzling festive lights. It turns out that the Taichung City Information Bureau has expanded the scale of this year’s Christmas events, turning the Civic Plaza into the “Dream Christmas Wonderland.” After being lit up by Mayor Lin Chia-lung last Friday, the wonderland officially opened to the public, attracting many visitors.

▲ The 18-meter-tall LED Christmas tree in front of Taichung City Hall Plaza has drawn large crowds for photos and check-ins.

The Taichung City Information Bureau stated that the “Dream Christmas Wonderland” not only features an 18-meter-high Christmas tree combined with a gingerbread house design, but also includes five large amusement facilities loved by all ages: hot air balloons, a carousel, a mini train, spinning boats, and spinning coffee cups. These attractions will be open for use every evening from now until December 27, between 7 and 9 PM.

▲ In addition to the Christmas tree, there are also five large amusement facilities including spinning boats and coffee cups, open every evening from now until December 27, between 7 and 9 PM.

The Information Bureau noted that using the amusement facilities and visiting the gingerbread house are completely free of charge, and taking photos for social media comes with plenty of attractive giveaways. Prizes include iPad Air 2s, Polaroid cameras, power banks, as well as limited-edition Christmas calendar cards and Christmas dolls.

▲ A giant gingerbread house has been built under the Christmas tree, which can accommodate 20 people for visits.

This year’s event will also feature live performances by bands such as 1976, Quarterback, Suming, and La New from December 25 to 27. In front of the Fengyuan Yangming Municipal Building Plaza, aside from the Christmas tree, there will also be dance, magic, and band performances every evening at 7 PM from December 25 to 27. The first 300 people who collect a number on December 25 will receive a limited-edition Christmas doll.

Event webpagehttp://www.travelbook.tw/2015xmas/.

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