With the theme of “Hope Castle,” the 2021 Yilan Green Expo kicked off at the Wulaokeng Scenic Area (武荖坑風景區) in northern Taiwan’s Yilan County on March 27 and will run 44 days until May 9.
Combining a variety of DIY activities and events, the Green Expo is held in conformity with UN Sustainable Development Goals to promote ecological conservation, environmental education, environmentally-friendly farming, and a circular economy.
Please watch the following video: “The Magnificent 2021 Yilan Green Expo in Taiwan.”
History
The Yilan Green Expo was first initiated in 2000. Featuring the concepts of ecology, green energy, green industry, and environmental education, this biggest annual spring event of Yilan has been held over the past 22 years.
It was held at Yilan’s Wulaokeng Scenic Area from 2000 to 2016 and was relocated to the Dongshan River Ecoark for 2017 through 2019. It was planned to be held at Wulaokeng again last year, but was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past two decades, the green expo has been subsidized with approximately NT$500 million (US$17 million) by the Council of Agriculture, which has in turn generated about NT$10 billion (US$345 million) in business.
The 2021 Yilan Green Expo
The Green Expo this year returns to the Wulaokeng Scenic Area. This magnificent green extravaganza comprises 14 exhibition areas, 2 aquatic ecological recreation areas, and 8 art installations.
Circling around the theme of “Hope Castle,” all of the Expo’s activities are related to ecological conservation, adaptation to climate change, eco-friendly farming, sustainable oceans, renewable energy, plastic reduction, etc.
With abundant experiences accumulated over the past 22 years, the Green Expo this year is one of the most significant large-scale eco-friendly festivals in Taiwan.
The Dream Rider stage
The stage is located in the beautiful garden near the entrance. Visitors can appreciate a variety of performances in fixed time frames every day, including symphonies, performing arts, dramas, and programs performed by local bands, dance troupes, drum teams, etc.
The Don Quixote Exploration Area
Not only can visitors view the giant art installations of Don Quixote’s windmill and horses in an expanse of the garden with colorful flowers, but they can also follow Don Quixote’s indomitable spirit to explore in the container-turned castle. Additionally, they can also go up to the lookout towers to take in the surrounding landscape.
The Bird-Watching Area
Some existing pavilions in the scenic area are decorated as bird nests. Visitors can see various introductions to the characteristics of migratory, resident, and transit birds, as well as some recommended bird-watching activities. The art installations outside the pavilions symbolize a large population of migratory birds passing through Yilan’s vast expanse of clean and pollution-free paddy fields.
The Wild Animal Area
In addition to a giant installation called “Leopard Cat,” there are some picture book-style illustrations and interactive games centered on five symbolic wild animals in the Wild Animal Area. Visiting this area, people can gain further insights into the impact of human activities on animals at low elevation mountains and the importance of biodiversity.
The Call of the Whale Pavilion
In this Pavilion, visitors can explore the changes and pollution of marine ecology, from the perspective of whale and dolphin conservation, by watching the animations. Through interactive experience activities, visitors can also gain some knowledge about marine conservation under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14.
Theme Pavilion of Hope Castle
With a striking globe art installation and the AR presentation in a semi-open-air exhibition hall, visitors can learn information related to UN Sustainable Development Goal 13, and the disasters humans may encounter in the future due to climate change.
Visitors can also read the stories of some environmental activists who have dedicated themselves to environmental protection. It is to call for more modern-day Don Quixotes to protect our environment.
The Green Land
There are six sub-areas in the Green Land, including the Fragrance Area, Culinary Plant Area, Healing and Health Care Area, Children’s Play Area, and Tea Area.
Over 100 species of beautiful plants and flowers are displayed in various shapes in the Green Land. Visitors will be amazed by a 10-meter (32-foot) butterfly-shaped garden upon entering the area. Visitors can also go up to the lookout tower to take in the panoramic view of the beautiful garden.
The Fun Paradise
There is a colorful artificial ski grass turf slope where visitors can experience the fun of grass skiing. Visitors can also play a large array of bamboo musical instruments displayed on the lawn. Added to this, there are some traditional Atayal houses where visitors can learn a bit about the traditional culture of the tribe and enjoy traditional Atayal cuisine.
Combining tourism, food, entertainment, and education in a single massive event, the Yilan Green Expo is undoubtedly a significant event raising awareness of the importance of sustainable living through fun and family-friendly activities.
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2 comments
Would love to visit
Great! It’s an attraction worth visiting with family members.
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