Thu, Jul 09, 2009 - Page 13 News List

Ho-Hai-Yan: bigger and better?

Tens of thousands are expected to flock to Fulong Beach this weekend for the Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival, which turns 10 this year. While indie bands make up most of the bill, this year’s festival touts several mainstream acts

By David Chen  /  STAFF REPORTER

their beachwear.

Ho-Hai-Yan vendors will not be able to sell alcohol so that everybody can keep “a clear head,” said Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠), director of the Taipei County Government’s Travel and Tourism Bureau (台北縣政府觀光旅遊局). Revelers, however, are permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages.

Fireworks and sparklers have been banned this year due to a number of injuries suffered by visitors last year, she said.

Chin said that with the large volume crowds expected at Fulong, festival-goers are encouraged to take Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) trains.

IF YOU GO

GETTING THERE

» Additional trains have been scheduled between Taipei Main Station and Fulong throughout the weekend. Trains run several times every hour between 11:30am and 9:30pm. Visit www.railway.gov.tw/index.htm for a full schedule or download the schedule (in Chinese only) from www.hohaiyan.tw/links.asp

Places to visit in the area:

» Caoling Historical Trail (草嶺古道芒花季): This 8km-long hiking trail has panoramic views of the mountains of the Northeast coast and the Pacific Ocean. Buses leave Fulong Tourist Center (福隆遊客中心) for the trail head at Yuanwangken (遠望坑) every 20 minutes from 8am to 11am. Alternatively, you can walk to Yuanwangken from Fulong Train Station, which is less than 2km away

» Jiufen, Jinguashi and Ho-Hai-Yan in one day: These historic mining towns, which offer scenic views of the coast and colonial architecture, are popular destinations in their own right. The Taipei County Tourism Bureau has arranged for special bus tours that leave from East Exit 1 at Taipei Train Station (台北車站,東一門) at 8am tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. The tour stops at the Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park (金瓜石黃金博物園區) in the morning. The afternoon will be spent in Jiufen (九份) with visits to local teahouses. In the late afternoon the bus makes a stop at Ho-Hai-Yan, before heading back to Taipei at 7:30pm. The tour costs NT$900 per person; spaces are available on a limited basis. Registration is required online at cyc.cc/2009Ocean or by calling (02) 2563-8787. The Web site is in Chinese only.

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