Nantou readies for cycling, fireworks, music fair

2015/10/20

An international cycling, fireworks and music fiesta is set to kick off Oct. 23 at Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County, underscoring the rising profile of the central Taiwan area on the global tourism stage.

Organized by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, 2015 Sun Moon Lake International Fireworks-Music and Come! Bikeday Festival features an eclectic lineup of activities like black tea tasting, charity market, concerts, cycling events, drumming performances, fireworks, photography exhibition and group wedding.

Chang Jenn-chyan, director of Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, said the beautiful body of water is voted one of Taiwan’s must-see scenic spots year after year by local and foreign visitors.

“We are working to springboard off this reputation by staging the festival, while at the same time setting an example for other scenic areas in Taiwan.”

A highlight of the 24-day annual event is the concert series featuring Broadway hits and film scores, folk songs, indigenous music, rock ‘n’ roll, string quintet, symphony and tribute shows for legendary Taiwan singers Teresa Teng and Jody Chiang.

Broadway Night by Hsinchu Symphony Band and accompanying fireworks will take place Nov. 1 on the north side of the lake. The orchestra is set to perform pieces from “Cats,” “Les Miserables,” “Miss Saigon” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” with popular Taiwan singer Johnny Yin and music students of Taichung City-based Tunghai University delivering a selection from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “The Sound of Music.”

Another surefire hit with festival-goers is a three-route cycling event starting Nov. 15 from the west side of the lake. The 30-kilometer waterside track was named one of the world’s 10 most breathtaking cycle paths in 2012 for its indigenous Thao tribe culture, rich ecology and spectacular scenery by CNNGo, an online travel guide affiliated with U.S.-based CNN.

According to Chang, the cycling activity offers something for everyone, with routes tailored for families and bikers seeking serious physical challenges. “Children can enjoy a leisurely 6-kilometer ride, while the hardcore can wind their way through a 50-kilometer course to the Tannan Tribal Village 800 meters above sea level,” he said.

“We hope to attract a record number of visitors this year, and further showcase the potential of Sun Moon Lake as a key driver of Taiwan’s burgeoning tourism industry.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237887&ctNode=2194&mp=9)