The 2017 "NaoRe Guandu Festival" kicks off this weekend in Taipei with thousands hitting the streets and hundreds of boats setting sail

▲The cheerful hand-painted canoe by National Taipei University of the Arts Vice President Chiu Hsien-hsun makes its debut. (Photo provided by the organizers of the Lively Guandu Festival)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

One of Taipei’s most grand festive events, the “2017 Lively Guandu Festival,” will kick off this Sunday, the 29th. Participating teams will advance by both water and land, converging at Guandu Waterfront Park for a full day of exciting activities. A total of 35 creative street parade teams will take part on land, while over a hundred canoes will form a fleet on the water. Mayor Ko Wen-je will also join the canoe fleet that day, paddling to the venue and joining Guandu residents in a fun-filled, costumed celebration.

▲Local residents of Guandu also dress up in creatively designed duck-themed costumes for the street parade. (Photo provided by the organizers of the Lively Guandu Festival)

This year’s most anticipated event is the “Hundred Boats Set Sail, Gathering at Guandu.” On the morning of the 29th at 8:30 AM, the first fleet of boats will set off from Shuangxi Pier, paddling along the Keelung River and Tamsui River toward the final destination at Guandu Fishing Port. In conjunction with the parade, traffic control will be implemented on Guandu Road and Zhixing Road in Beitou from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM on October 29. Buses will also skip stops on Zhixing Road and Guandu Road. The public is advised to plan alternate routes accordingly.

2017 Lively Guandu Festival
Water and land routes converge at Guandu Waterfront Park
Address: No. 360, Zhixing Road, Beitou District, Taipei City
For more information, please visit the official event website:http://www.guandu.tw/