The Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Management Office is holding a competition for design students to submit their ideas on how to turn the scenic area, and in particular Greater Tainan’s Beimen District (北門), into a romantic destination and a hotspot for wedding photography sessions for engaged and married couples.
The goal of the competition is to create a park where creative ideas of romance and happiness are prevalent, the office said, adding that it hopes to attract lovers, newlyweds and other tourists as its primary visitors.
The theme of the design contest is “white romance, romantic wedding dresses and white Christmas,” office director Cheng Jung-feng (鄭榮峰) said.
Photo: Yang Chin-cheng, Taipei Times
Aside from sets designed like honeymoon suites, the park has also planted trees where couples can take pictures while professing their love for each other, as well as replicas of giant bells and penthouses, the office said.
A gazebo where wedding ceremonies can be held, and a “crystal” church will also be built, the office said.
“We are also putting out the word to design students across the country and abroad, as well as specialists in the areas of landscaping, public art and spatial arrangement, the office said.
The winner of the competition will receive NT$100,000 in prize money, while the second and third place winners will receive NT$80,000 and NT$60,000 respectively,” the officials said, adding that other submissions that were considered outstanding would receive NT$20,000.
The office said it would choose 10 entries to be used to design landscapes at the park.
The park would also feature five landscaping works by professional artists.
Aside from being used as background for photography sessions, the park will also offer to host weddings through an arrangement with a local church, Cheng said, adding that wedding banquets would not be a problem as the office also intends to build a banquet hall near the park.
The competition will be held annually, with a different theme to be decided on each year, the office said.
Winning designs will be displayed at the Beimen Tourist’s Information Center, it added.
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