Running from November 9 to December 1, the 2024 Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival promises a floral spectacle, utilizing over 200,000 plants and 23 flower varieties. This year’s theme, “A Flower World in Space,” features seven main areas, as well as the massive “Flower City in Space” installation—a 17-meter-tall, 55-meter-wide mechanical device designed to make history. “Xinshe is Taiwan's Provence!” Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen said at the press conference today (6th), adding that this year’s Flower Carpet Festival is more spectacular and fascinating than ever. She’s confident that this year’s expanded scale will surpass last year’s attendance of 3.12 million. The festival invites global visitors to witness its grandeur.

This year's Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival, held at the Seed Improvement and Propagation Station’s No. 2 Nursery in Xinshe, presents the main flower carpet, “Flower City in Space.” This display rotates every hour and includes dazzling stars, a large telescope, a space-traveling cat astronaut, and a mushroom spaceship, promising visitors an unforgettable experience.

“Missing this would be falling behind!” said Mayor Lu, noting that this marks the 13th year the city government has hosted the Flower Carpet Festival. Before her term, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Chiang Chi-chen recommended holding the event in a beautiful, flower-rich location. As a result, Mayor Lu brought the festival back to Xinshe, famously called Taiwan’s Provence, during her first year in office. Now Taiwan’s largest floral festival, this year’s event will run for 23 days, from this Saturday through December 1.

Mayor Lu added that this year’s festival is setting its sights on five major records: the tallest main flower carpet, the largest diameter, the most dynamic movements, the most flowers and plants in the exhibition area, and the highest number of booths. With Xinshe as the event location, the theme centers on repurposing “Xinshe mushroom bulk bags” to support sustainable development, blending recreational and educational elements. Mayor Lu invites global tourists to make the most of the opportunity to visit.

Mayor Lu thanked Vice President Chiang for his efforts in coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture to secure the venue and central funding to support the growth of Taichung’s mountainous areas, making it possible to host international events in Xinshe. She also expressed gratitude to city council members for approving the budget. Xinshe is celebrated not only for its stunning flowers but also for its mushrooms, fruits, and garden-style B&Bs, restaurants, and cafes. It's an ideal spot to stay, shop, dine, and explore, making it one of Taiwan’s premier travel destinations. All are warmly invited to visit.

“Missing out this time would be a real regret—everyone should come!” Vice President Chiang noted that last year’s Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival drew 3.12 million visitors, achieved on-site sales of NT$48 million in local agricultural products, and boosted the economy in relevant sectors by over NT$7 billion. He thanked the event organizers for their efforts and expressed confidence that this year’s event will continue to impress domestic and international visitors.

Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Mei-hsiu shared that this year’s main flower carpet, Flower City in Space,” will present an hourly mechanical show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Other installations, such as “Time Tunnel,” “Interlock,” and “Co-Creation Hub,” offer immersive walk-through experiences and photo opportunities to engage the senses. Additionally, fun and creatively designed installations like “The Strawberry Rocket,” “Explore the Future,” and “The Newborn Worm” bring a playful charm, inviting visitors to discover and snap memorable photos.

The Tourism Bureau also noted that local associations will offer hands-on experiences at the exhibition area throughout the event, and six featured itineraries have been introduced in partnership with the Taichung B&B Association. Visitors staying at participating B&Bs during the festival can enjoy a range of offers. Additionally, the Agriculture Bureau has arranged a marketplace for local agricultural products so festival-goers can take home fresh, delicious produce and admire the floral displays.

The Tourism and Travel Bureau reminded that traffic control will be enforced daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the event location, with limited parking available on-site. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation and take shuttle buses. Three shuttle routes—Fengyuan, Taiyuan, and Songzhu lines—will operate during the festival, with two additional routes—Dongshi and Event Circular lines—available on weekends. For more information about transportation and the event, visit the Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival website (https://www.flowercarpet.tw) or the Tourism and Travel Bureau’s Facebook page.

Furthermore, the Tourism and Travel Bureau has partnered with the Ministry of Transportation’s Tourism Administration to offer limited-edition gifts. Visitors can participate by taking photos at designated selfie walls in any of Taichung’s seven “Top 100 Taiwan Tourism Highlights” spots (Xinshe Shopping District, Gaomei Wetlands, Taichung Park, National Taichung Theater, Calligraphy Greenway, Wuling Farm, and Fushoushan Farm) or by presenting proof of a November stay at a licensed hotel in Taichung (such as an invoice, receipt, or booking confirmation) at the festival's service desk. For more information, visit the Tourism and Travel Bureau website’s Events section (https://travel.taichung.gov.tw/zh-tw).

Today’s press conference was attended by a number of notable figures, including Vice President Chiang Chi-chen of the Legislative Yuan, Deputy Director Liu Ming-tsung of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, Deputy Director Tsai Tsung-sheng of the Tourism Administration’s Tourism Promotion Division, Deputy Director Liao Hsi-piao of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Headquarters, Director Chen Jung-chun of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Taichung Branch, Director Chang Ching-chang of the Agriculture Bureau, Director Liao Ching-chih of the Social Affairs Bureau, Taichung Post Office Director Yeh Yu-hsia of Chunghwa Post, Taichung City Council members Chang Ching-fen, Chiu Ai-shan, and Wu Chen-chia. Legislator Tsai Chi-chang, City Council members Chen Ching-lung and Tsai Cheng-kuei, and various tourism-related guilds and associations in Taichung also sent representatives to show support.