Taiwan will celebrate its first summer solstice festival later this month as part of the Tourism Bureau under the ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications drive to bolster the nation’s reputation as a leading travel destination in Northeast Asia.
“The activity will be another major tourism draw in line with the Taiwan Lantern Festival,” a bureau official said. “While many countries celebrate the summer solstice in their own ways, we plan on making our version an international extravaganza bursting with fun-filled activities staged at Taiwan’s Tropic of Cancer landmarks.”
On June 21, the bureau will stage the festival’s inaugural event at Dongshih Fisherman’s Wharf in Chiayi County featuring a Hawaiian dance group performance.
Other bureau initiatives include a competition to find Taiwan’s top desserts. Leading contenders include fig jelly, mango ice cream, grass jelly and freshly sliced watermelon.
The bureau will also map out special travel routes covering Taiwan’s six national scenic areas in the counties of Chiayi, Hualien and outlying Penghu, where Tropic of Cancer landmarks can be found. This is expected to prove a major draw for visitors from abroad.
According to the official, the bureau will submit a proposal containing all promotion initiatives for Cabinet approval June 13, and hold a news conference the next day to kick off its latest campaign.
The summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South pole. It falls between June 20 and 22 in the northern hemisphere. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mofa.gov.tw