Taiwan all-year round

Spring colours:

Theme: Taiwan lantern festival activities, including the Taiwan Lantern Festival (Tainan County), Taipei Lantern Festival, Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, Pingsi Heavenly Lantern Festival (Taipei County), Yanshuei Beehive Rockets Festival (Tainan County), Miaoli Dragon-Bombing Festival, and Bombing of the Deity Han Dan in Taitung (Feb)

Flower exhibitions: Taipei Flower Show (Jan), Taiwan International Orchid Show (Mar), 2008 Yangmingshan Flower Season (Feb-Mar), Cherry Blossom Festival at Sun Moon Lake’s Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village (Feb-Mar), Shibajian Mountain Flower Month (Mar), 2008 East Rift Valley Flower-Sea (Jan-Feb), and 2008 Changhua Blooms: International Orchid Exhibition (Feb)

Religious culture: Taichung County Matsu International Festival (Feb- May), Neimen Songjiang Battle Array (Kaohsiung County) and National Creative Song-jiang Jhen Contest, College Cup (March)

International exhibitions: 2008 Spring Computex (Mar-Apr)

Sports Competitions: 2008 Kinmen Marathon (Jan), 2008 Tainan Marathon (March), 2008 International Tour de Taiwan Cycling Race (Mar), and 2008 Wantong Cup East Rift Valley International Ultramarathon (Mar)

Summer escapes Theme :

Dragon Boat Festival Activities, including the Lugang Dragon Boat Race, Keelung Dragon Boat Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival Fireworks Display in Longtan, Taoyuan County (June)

Hakka Activities: Hakka Tung Blossom Festival (Apr-May) and Hakka cuisine

Specialty and Ecological Activities:

Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival (Apr-July) and 2008 Sun Moon Lake Firefly Ecotour (May-June)

Religious Culture: Baishatun Cultural and Arts Festival (Apr)

International Exhibitions: Computex Taipei (June) and 2008 Taichung International Travel Fair (Apr)

Competition: Taiwan Bike Day (May), Northeast Coast Mountain Cycling Competition (May), Fulong Sand Sculpture Competition (May), and 2008 Siouguluan Rafting activities (May-June)

Autumn hues

Theme: Taiwan food festivals, including Taiwan Culinary Exhibition (August), Penghu Seafood Festival (July), and Wanggong Harbor Fishing Lights Festival—Song of the Oysters (July)

Aboriginal Culture: Ada Wang United Harvest Festival in Hualien (July) and Festival of Austronesian Cultures in Taitung (July-Aug)

Folk Festivals: Keelung Ghost Festival, Grappling with the Ghosts at Toucheng, Grappling with the Ghosts Hengchun, and Tainan Chihsi International Arts Festival (Aug)

Music, Art and Cultural Activities:

Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival in Gongliao (July), 2008 Dadaocheng Fireworks and Music Festival (Aug), and 2008 Kinmen Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Cake Gambling Competition (Aug-Oct)

Local Industries: Taiwan International Ceramic Art Festival (July-Aug), Sanyi Wood Carving Festival (Aug), and Sun Moon Lake Carnival (Sept)

Competition: 2008 East Rift Valley International Paragliding Invitational and

Luye tour activities (July), Laonong River Rafting and Triathlon Race (July-Aug), and 2008 Sunshine Vigor Guanshan Cycling Competition (Aug)

Winter romance

Theme: Hot springs and cuisine, including Taiwan Hot Springs and Fine Cuisine Carnival and related activities at hot spring areas and the Taipei International Newrow Mian Festival (Nov)

Music, Art and Cultural Activities:

Hsinchu International Flower Drum Festival (Oct), Chiayi City Cochin Ceramic Art Festival (Nov), Miaoli Cultural Arts Festival (Nov), Alishan Sunrise Impression Music Concert (December), Chiayi City Chinese Music Festival (Oct), and Chiayi City International Band Festival (Dec)

Aboriginal Culture: Alishan Tsou Fona (“Bean of Life”) Festival

Local Specialties: Kaohsiung Zuoying Wannian Folklore Festival (Oct), 2008 Austronesian Wedding Festival (Oct), Kunshen Wangye’s Salt for Peace Festival: Southwest Coast Tourism Activities (Oct), and East Coast Sailfish Festival (Nov)

International Exhibitions: 2008 Taipei international Travel Fair (Oct)

Competition: 2008 Shihmen International Kite Festival (Oct), 2008 Taroko International Marathon (Nov), and 2008 ING Taipei International Marathon (Dec)

Flower Exhibitions: 2008 Nantou Flower Festival (Nov) and 2008 Shihlin Official Residence’s Chrysanthemum Exhibition (Nov-Dec)