TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tourism Administration's annual Solar Festival featured a series of recreational activities across the country, from June 1 to Sept. 1.
In what was its 10th year, the festival highlighted five themes: Sticky Rice Dumplings and Dragon Boats, Summer Solstice 235, Iced Tea and Shaved Ice, Taiwan Culinary Exhibition, and Railway Travel Fun. The event connected 13 national scenic areas and 22 counties and cities.
Railway Travel Fun
This theme featured railway tours with special trains, including the Summer Formosa.
- Formosensis
The Alishan Forest Railway, fully restored after a 15-year project, reopened in July. The Formosensis train, crafted from native Taiwan cypress, offers a luxurious experience with personalized dining, exclusive bento boxes, and Indigenous cultural performances.
The Formosensis train features warm, natural wood interiors and soft lighting, creating a cozy atmosphere. Passengers can enjoy panoramic views through large windows as they journey through the mountains.
An art car features 10 paintings of Alishan from the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945) to the early post-war period. Each work includes a digital guide exploring the area’s forestry and railway history.
The full journey on the Alishan Forest Railway from Beimen Station to Alishan Station takes about five hours. A segmented package tour with a cruise-like travel experience aboard the luxurious train was offered.

- Summer Formosa
The Summer Formosa train operated six round trips between Yuli Station and Taitung Station on July 13, 14, 27, 28, and Aug. 10 and 11.
The vintage train, a cruise-style train pulled by a CT273 steam locomotive and six Chu-Kuang carriages, made stops at Yuli, Fuli, Chishang, Shanli, and Taitung stations. This allowed passengers to explore the surrounding attractions at these popular tourist destinations.
Passengers enjoyed complimentary refreshments such as honey-scented black tea, daylily sparkling drinks, and herbal teas while exploring the region.
Exploring South Taiwan
- Dapeng Bay
Established in November 1993, Dapeng Bay is the largest inland lagoon in southwestern Taiwan. It is a haven for wildlife with abundant marine life and over 95 bird species.
Dapeng Bay boasts one of Taiwan's top 10 classic cycling routes. An 11.7-kilometer cycling path offers a unique blend of natural lagoon, mangrove forest, and coastal scenery.
This well-designed route not only circles the entire Dapeng Bay but also connects to Linbian Qifeng community, Donggang Nanping village, and Donglong Temple.
- Cycling path
- Dapeng Bay Visitor Center
The visitor center serves as the starting point (0 km) for the scenic cycling path that encircles the entire bay.
- Sunset Bay
The name itself is a testament to its breathtaking sunsets. As the sun dips over Dapeng Bay, visitors can enjoy a stunning panorama enriched by several iconic landmarks and picturesque landscapes.

- Pengcun Wetland Park
The park houses an award-winning sculpture, “Hands of the Creator.” It has won the US' Muse Design Awards and Italy's A’ Design Award and Competition.

- Cifong Wetland Park
Cifong Wetland's viewing tower offers breathtaking vistas of Dapeng Bay. The site's Nine Curves Bridge, combined with a birdwatching pavilion, provides excellent opportunities to spot rare migratory birds.

- Dapeng Bay Marina
Visitors to the pier are drawn to the egg-shaped “Heart of the Bay” landmark. The area is a water taxi dock with recreational facilities.
Scenic boat tours are offered during the day. A coffee shop serves for evening relaxation.

- Dapeng Bay Bridge
The bridge offers a view of Xiaoliuqiu, with the Dawu Mountain range on the other side. It opens for a show on weekends and national holidays.

- Donglong Temple
Visitors enter Donglong Temple through a majestic gate. Here, the royal ship for the triennial Wang Yeh Boat-burning Festival stands.

- Siraya National Scenic Area
Siraya National Scenic Area, established in 2005, is the Tourism Administration’s 13th national scenic area.
It plans, develops, and manages the area where Indigenous Siraya culture is dominant. Discovery of prehistoric sites and Siraya descendants preserving traditional communal houses and night rituals led to the area’s name.
- Meiling Scenic Area hike
Visitors can stroll along the Meiling forest trail, enjoying plum blossom aroma and breathing in phytoncides. Plum or turmeric dishes can refuel hikers before continuing on their journey.
- Meifeng historic trail
The trail is 2.3 km long and takes about an hour to hike one way, and is suitable for most levels of fitness. Locals once used the trail to transport bamboo shoots and herbs.
The trail offers diverse ecology and views for sunrises and sunsets. The trail is famed for its vibrant displays of princess flowers and camellias.

- Meiling firefly season
Meiling lights up with countless twinkling lights from April to May after the plum rain season, drawing crowds to the mountain.
The Siraya National Scenic Area Headquarters reminds visitors to avoid shining lights directly on fireflies. Additionally, trails are dark at night, so visitors should watch their steps.

- Meiling plum blossoms
Meiling is blanketed in a sea of white as hundreds of thousands of plum trees bloom each January. Visitors can witness this spectacle at Wulong Trail, Ercengping, and Fulai Plum Garden.
After Qingming Festival in early April, the flowers fall and fruits ripen, starting the busy plum harvest season in Meiling. Harvested plums are used to make pickled plums, plum wine, plum vinegar, and umeboshi.

- Meiling princess flowers
After the plum blossoms fade in February, Meiling's mountain trails become a purple paradise, dominated by over 20,000 princess flowers. It is considered the largest princess flower area in the country.
Flowers bloom during three periods: March to April, June to July, and October to November.

Meiling delicacies
Meiling offers more than blossoms. Local restaurants feature plum-flavored dishes, including plum-glazed spare ribs, plum sauce shrimp balls, and plum fried rice.
The most popular dish is plum chicken, known for its tender chicken and delicious sweet and sour broth.

Summer Solstice 235
The event highlights the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through Taiwan. Ten southern Taiwan cultural institutions have created the "Smiling South Bay" intellectual journey, offering educational and cultural experiences.
The institutions include the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum, Chimei Museum, National Museum of Taiwan Literature, National Science and Technology Museum, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, National Museum of Prehistory, and the National Human Rights Museum, promoting the nation's rich cultural heritage.
Iced Tea and Shaved Ice

Taiwan's renowned high-mountain tea and award-winning coffee, coupled with its unique ice cream culture, have captivated both domestic and international visitors. This year's theme celebrated these beloved beverages and treats.
Taiwan Culinary Exhibition
Featuring 240 chefs and artisans, the event highlighted Taiwan's diverse culinary landscape, from traditional flavors to contemporary creations. This year's exploration of Indigenous cuisine provided a captivating taste of the country's cultural heritage.