The overwater Christmas tree in Liuchuan Canal, Taichung officially lit up! This year, Taichung City Government unleashed creativity to construct the country’s first overwater Christmas tree in Liuchuan Canal, a popular scenic destination in the Central District. Mayor Lin Chia-lung Lin attended the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 19:00 on the 9th to light up the riverbank of Liuchuan Canal. As the resplendent overwater Christmas tree lit up, cries of astonishment burst from the crowd, and Mayor Lin took the opportunity to announce the great news that the central government has approved the phase 2 of the city government’s Liuchuan Canal project. Furthermore, Luchuan Canal project will also be completed in February next year, thus the beauty of Taichung will revive once again because of the rivers.

Water Resources Bureau, Taichung City Government collaborated with Information Bureau to create the country’s first overwater Christmas tree in Liuchuan Canal, a popular scenic destination in the Central District. Inspired by the never-ending flow of Liuchuan Canal, the tree also combines imageries from the World Flora Expo, where 4 major flowers of Taichung, including oncidium orchid, gladiolus, lily and anthurium are used to decorate the tree. The glistening Christmas tree casts a reflection upon the water, forming a romantic mirror image. In addition, there are also numerous interactive art installations, including the high-tech shadow puppet theater and romantic 3D sea of flowers to provide the public with unique Christmas experience.

Dignitaries including Mayor Lin, Legislator Huang Kuo-shu, City Councilor Chian Chao-kuo, Chiu Su-chen, Water Resources Bureau Director Chou Ting-chang, Information Bureau Director Cho Kuan-ting, former Mayor Chang Wen-ying as well as a dozen Village Chiefs from the West District all attended the lighting ceremony.

Mayor Lin commented that in the season of gratitude and blessings, everyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of Christmas. In the past, Liuchuan Canal was heavily polluted by sewage discharge in the age of rapid industrialization and became a foul-smelling ditch that people stayed away from. With dredging efforts by the city government, it has now been successfully transformed into one of the most popular check-in spot in the city.

This year, the city government especially relocated the Christmas celebration to Liuchuan Canal and created the only overwater Christmas tree in Taiwan so that citizens may make wishes for their beloved. Moreover, it is hoped to attract more people to visit the Central District and reinvigorate the old town.

“Verdant willows and never-ending flow of water!” Mayor Lin also announced great news; first, the phase 2 of the Liuchuan Canal project has received approval and funding from the central government, and preparations are underway to extend the stunning Liuchuan Canal riverfront. Secondly, a 600m stretch of Luchuan Canal will be dredged, and the completion is slated for February next year. By then, Taichung will once again become beautiful because of rivers and new life will be breathed into the old town district.

He expressed his gratitude to the unsung heroes behind the rejuvenation of the Central District, including City Councilor Chian Chao-kuo and Legislator Huang Kuo-shu from the central government as well as tremendous support from elected representatives. He also thanked the sponsorship of major hotels in order to ensure the success of the Christmas tree lighting event.

Water Resources Bureau Director Chou Ting-chang suggested that after the completion of the Liuchuan Canal (Zhongzhengliu Bridge to Minquanliu Bridge) water improvement and landscaping project last year, a concert was held at the Liuchuan Canal overwater stage and innovative light installations were created, both were well-received by the public. This year, in collaboration with the Information Bureau, LED lights were used to decorate a giant gift box, while other art installations were designed to celebrate the Christmas ambiance, including: Romantic Tulips, Sea of Roses, Light Corridor Under the Bridge and Rainbow Colored Love Tree etc. The art installations will be on exhibit until March 4 next year.

Information Bureau Director Cho Kuan-ting indicated that this year’s Christmas tree is designed by ZAMAMA from the Central District. Towering at 9 meters, the tree’s design is inspired by the never-ending flow of Liuchuan Canal. Besides decorating the tree with metallic replicas of the 4 major flowers of Taichung, including oncidium orchid, gladiolus, lily and anthurium, there are also numerous interactive art installations such as the high-tech shadow puppet theater and romantic 3D sea of flowers to provide the public with unique Christmas experience.

In addition, the Christmas Bazaar will be open from the 9th until the 25th. Offering a blend of Taichung’s characteristics and exotic flair, the bazaar can be found next to the Xingzhong Parking Lot, where visitors can sample a variety of Taichung and Scandinavian gourmet delicacies in the 5 cabins attended by gourmands and cultural & creative writers from Taichung and abroad.

Exciting Christmas programs will also be staged at Yangming Building in Fengyuan from December 23 to 25. Starting from 15:00 on the 23rd and 24th, there will be youth choir, acrobatics, ballroom dancing and diabolo performances, while Taiwanese singer Tsai Chia-lin will take to the stage in the evening of the 25th. For more information, please refer to the event’s official website (http://tcxmas.com.tw/index.php).