Count down to the upcoming year on the New Year Eve is one of the popular traditions all around the globe. The celebration of greeting the New Year in Taoyuan, Taiwan will be a vibrant concert performed by popular celebrities. The celebration will be held at Taoyuan County Arts Park from 5:30 pm, welcomes visitors of all ages together to enjoy the moment the clock strikes midnight, saying goodbye to the past year and welcome the upcoming year 2013.

Taoyuan is a peaceful city in northwestern part of Taiwan, which is about a 50 minute ride from Taipei City. It is a popular tourist city among locals, and it is noted for its rich cultural and tourist sites. Before attending the countdown concert, it is worth to visiting some spectacular Taoyuan attractions. Cihu for marks of Chiang’s Family and Chiang Kai-Shek Mausoleum, also known as Cihu Mausoleum, is established to commemorate Chiang Kai-Shek and his family. The area is about 30 hectares surrounded by mountains with the mesmerizing Back Cihu Lake in the middle. The visitor permit is required for entering the lake which can be applied on-line at http://backcihu.tycg.gov.tw/Cihu/ (currently only available in Chinese). After 2-3 hours wandering around this tranquil and mysterious place, you may drop-by the well-known Daxi Old Street for the reminiscent atmosphere and Hakka dishes and snacks, including glutinous rice ball soup, tofu pudding, maltose, smoked bean curd and more. Some of the traditional folklore stores here offer some old-time fun and remains.

This year, the main theme of the 2012 Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival is “Mazu border-tour,” which is also represents the local spirit of Taichung. The chamber will be organized into 17 theme pavilions to display the characteristics of Taichung: “Mountain, Ocean, Flora, and Metropolis,” as well as propaganda of energy saving, carbon emission reductions and environmental conservations as the vision of the events. There are two major flower carpets- Happiness and Butterflies to wish visitors the happiness and to draw attention of the conservation of butterflies. In each theme area, visitors may find interesting animal-shaped trees and beautiful jardinières plus various colorful flowers, including Dianthus, Henna, Mealy Sage, Mealy Sage, Medallion Flower, Mini Viola, Ramtilla, Scarlet Sage, Cosmos, Sunflowers, and Wax Begonias. The Taichung Government also maps out several routes for visitors to explore Xinshe District, including night view, eco-tour, sea of flower, historical, and mushroom hand-picking.

This year, 2012 Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival and 2012 Sea of Flowers in Xinshe Festival will be opening during the same time from 2012/11/17-2012/12/16. The total area is spans about 34 hectares and is divided into two major fields, containing tons of dynamic flowers in different colors. The Festivals have always been a huge success that have allured large number of visitors for the picturesque sea of flowers.

You may now find more information o of Taichung Sea of flowers in Xinshe and 2012 Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival (currently only available in Mandarin.) at their official web sites.


Directions:
Drive on your own:
No. 1 National Highway (Zhongshan Highway):
No. 1 National Highway -> No. 4 National Highway -> Exit to Fengyuan Interchange (豐原交流道) -> Turn left on Fengshi Road (豐勢路) -> Towards Dongshi (東勢) -> Continue to 129 County Road towards Xinshe -> Sea of flowers in Xinshe

By Bus:
1. Take Fengyuan Bus No. 270, 271, 276, 277 at the front of Taichung Railway Station to Zhongxingling, Xinshe District -> 30 minute walk to Sea of flowers in Xinshe

2. Take Fengyuan Bus No. 91 at the front of Fenyuan Railway Station to Zhongxingling, Xinshe District -> 30 minute walk to Sea of flowers in Xinshe

3. Take shuttle bus at the front of Fenyuan Railway Station -> Sea of flowers in Xinshe (Only available on the weekend)

4. Take Fengyuan Bus No. 6588 to Xinshe Sea of flowers Station