New Year’s Day Flag-Raising in New Taipei Goes Sporty: Climb 29 Floors & Get a Blue & White Commemorative Towel

▲ The 2016 New Year’s Day flag-raising in New Taipei City took on a sporty vibe. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government, the same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2016 New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony in New Taipei City was held at Banqiao Civic Square. This year, the event embraced a healthy concept with a sporty theme. Not only were Chinese Professional Baseball League players invited to lead the national anthem, but after the flag was raised, fitness enthusiasts led warm-up exercises in the square and joined the public in climbing stairs all the way up to the 29th floor of the city government building. Those who reached the top received a free “New Year’s Day Commemorative Sports Towel.”

Jiang Jun-ting, Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau of New Taipei City Government, said that in previous years people queued up to get scarves, but this year’s flag-raising combines sports—participants have to climb stairs to “conquer the top” to receive the sports towel. The ceremony will kick off with a performance by the military honor guard, showcasing their rifle drills, rivaling National Day performances. Then, Chinese Professional Baseball League players will lead the national anthem, and a mystery guest will lead the crowd in fitness exercises and stair climbing.

This year’s commemorative sports towel is 120 cm long, embroidered with the words “New Taipei City,” and is highly absorbent. Each floor of the 29-floor climb will also display the calories burned and motivational slogans to encourage participants to keep going and climb higher, symbolizing a healthy and energetic year in 2016.

% The 2016 New Year’s Day commemorative sports towel from New Taipei City.

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