Lasting 23 days, the 2019 Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival came to a conclusion today (21st). This year's theme is Hi On Daan – Whale Rhapsody Party, which combines the features of Taichung with the ecological characteristics of the ocean and land, and the whale image of Daan Harbor to present the largest 3D whale sand sculpture for the very first time, attracting more than half a million visitors. In order to let more people appreciate the lifelike sand sculptures, Taichung City Tourism Office has extended the exhibition to September 1, during which the 18 3D sand sculptures will not be repaired, allowing them to weather naturally.

According to Tourism Office Director-General Hsiao-chi Lin, the biggest ever Hi On (Taiwanese for whale) sand sculpture was designed for this year's Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival. Furthermore, Hi On Whale, the personification of the whale, was created for Facebook along with other activities, drawing countless tourists to come to Da-an Sea Theme Park to take photos with Hi On Whale. Interactive photo shooting locations have been designed throughout the sand sculpture exhibits, while Tourism Bureau, MOTC's OhBear and adorable Taichung City mascot Leo also attracted plenty of tourists to take photos with them. The Sea God sand sculpture is also a highly popular attraction for the visitors, astonishing them with humorous and exquisite 3D sculpting.

According to Director-General Lin, Mayor Shiow-yen Lu has reminded that the activities should be designed with people's needs in mind, therefore accessible paths have been designed at the sand sculpture exhibition area for disabled people, parents with baby strollers and senior citizens, so that they can admire the delicate carvings closely. In addition, the Sound of the Ocean Concert held during every weekend allowed many tourists to enjoy the musical feast of the ocean while swaying their bodies to the gentle sea breeze.

Moreover, Mayor Lu has vigorously promoted urban tourism by marketing the Inaugural Taichung Shopping Festival and 2020 Taiwan Lantern in Taichung from July 10 to August 18 through the sand sculptures. As a result, she has successfully marketed Greater Taichung as well as the azure coastal scenery and unique cultural traits of Daan.

Director-General Lin emphasized that the 2019 Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival has come to an end, but the city hall will continue to host events that merge sand sculptures with musical elements so that more citizens will be able to understand the tourism resources of Daan and the coastal regions of Taichung.

Although the event has concluded, in an effort to let more people admire these lifelike sand sculptures, citizens are free to visit the sand sculptures freely. The sand sculpture exhibition will close on September 1 the latest, during which the 18 3D sand sculptures will not be repaired, allowing them to weather naturally (the organizer may close the exhibition depending on the conditions). Everyone is welcome to visit Da-an Sea Theme Park to frolic in the water, get away from the summer heat, take in the breathtaking coastal landscape, and experience Daan's summer charm.