The Nanzhuang Flower Festival, organized by the Tri-mountain National Scenic Area, Tourism Administration, is now in its sixth year. Attracting numerous visitors to Nanzhuang for flower watching each year, it has become a nationally renowned event and one of the local annual highlights.
Last year, the Nanzhuang Flower Festival was honored with the Platinum Award in the Conceptual Design category by the MUSE Design Awards for its aesthetic curations in the streets and alleys. This year, continuing with the same concept, the festival will repurpose and enhance the artwork and installations from the festival last year to enrich the alleys of Nanzhuang.
While past floral exhibitions mainly featured hydrangeas, the festival this year will showcase a variety of flowers in the artwork. In addition to hydrangeas, 17 other species will be featured, including moth orchids, Star Clusters, rosemaries, Paris Daisies, and English lavenders, totaling over 7,000 vibrant flowers. The festival will debut on March 30 and run for 30 days.
Deputy County Magistrate Teng Kuei-chu expressed gratitude to the Administration for organizing the Nanzhuang Flower Festival, which, when combined with the slow city landscape, is becoming a must-visit event for tourists every year. Visitors from all over are welcome to Nanzhuang to enjoy the flowers, savor the local delicacies, and experience the leisurely lifestyle of this slow-paced city, with its slow living, slow food, and slow leisure activities.
Commissioner of the Tri-mountain Administration Tsao Chung-Yu explained that the Flower Festival this year will feature five sets of floral-themed installations. The main installation, "Childhood Memories," located in the Nanzhuang Visitor Center Plaza, comprises an eight-meter-high Ferris wheel music box. The dynamic show will be performed every hour from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, leading visitors on a journey back to their childhood memories. The surrounding butterflies are collaboratively created by 120 students from Nanzhuang Elementary School.
The other four installations are dispersed throughout the alleys of Nanzhuang. These include "Time Travel," created by the Secret to Longer Life Association and located at the entrance of the Kangji Suspension Bridge. At the Nangjiang Riverfront Plaza, "10 Minutes Break" features a seesaw design that evokes childhood memories. Nearby, "Beside the Zhonggang River'' invites visitors to appreciate the rich diversity of species in the Zhonggang River, meticulously recreated by SaySiyat rattan weaving artisan Gen Xiuli. On the roof of the 100-year-old Nanzhuang Post Office, the "Secret Base" artwork features Miaoli's mascot, Miaoli Meow, peeking out from above the century-old landmark, greeting everyone and creating a must-visit spot to take photos.
Tsao Chung-Yu also highlighted that this year marks the first collaboration with tribal craftsmen in creating three local characteristic installations. "Riverside Elegance," located in the Penglai River Ecology Park, is shaped like a fish basket woven from bamboo and rattan and is a collaborative effort between the Ray'in and Tamayo'an. Near the Raisinay Dyeing and Weaving Workshop, "bow loom weaving" artwork - "P’ubuy Heritage," was woven jointly by craftsmen from the Raysinay. On the road outside the Museum of Saisiat Folklore, a three-meter-tall installation, "papa:ngaska tapa:ngasan," has been made by people from the Rareme:an.
The Tri-mountain Administration also recommends April as the best time to observe fireflies in Nanzhuang. Visitors can stay overnight in Nanzhuang, enjoy indigenous and Hakka cuisine, select scenic B&Bs near streams, or visit the Penglai River Ecology Park and the Forty-Two Ping Trail to see the fairies with lanterns in the dark night. Alternatively, they can visit the observatory of the Emei Lake Trail to savor Oriental Beauty Tea, explore the Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center in Tongluo and admire the tung blossoms, or visit the Taiwan Oil Field Exhibition Hall in Gongguan to delve into the history of oil mining in Taiwan. All the above will allow visitors to experience the slow city of Nanzhuang and the leisurely travel pleasures of Miaoli Mountain City. For more information on activities and suggested itineraries, please visit the official website of the Tri-mountain National Scenic Area or the "Fun Travel in Tri-mountain" Facebook page.