Kelly Austria
2023 Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival
I’ve seen a lot of Disney spectaculars, but this one is for the books.
I recently joined a group of travel writers from Pampanga for a tour of Taiwan, and in the two and a half days, we explored Taiwan; this was my favorite. Quoting Mary Poppins, it was “practically perfect in every way.”
The trip, organized by Clark International Airport and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, took us from the city center of Taipei through the mountains and into the coastlines.
And among all the events we saw, the 2023 Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival was the most magical. It’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even despite the sweltering heat and humidity.
The sand sculpture festival, held on Fulong Beach’s golden sandy stretch, celebrates the centennial of Disney. Seventy-one themed sand sculptures, 66 of which were themed with Disney, are featured, and 15 sand sculptors from Taiwan and other nations breathed life into these artworks.
Fulong Beach is located in the northeastern part of the country and has been acknowledged by the World Sand Sculpting Association as the best for making sand sculptures in Taiwan.
And no pixie dust was required. The sands of Fulong Beach are mostly made of quartz, which is soft and cohesive, making it great for sand sculptures.
There were sculptures from the early years of Disney, like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, created in 1927; Steamboat Willie, the debut of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in 1928; and the 1937 film Snow White.
There were also well-loved characters like Dumbo, Chip & Dale, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, the Lion King, Lilo, and Stitch, Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
Of course, the princesses were there, like our beloved Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, and Elsa and Anna from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Frozen.
Pixar favorites were also featured. Ratatouille, A Bug’s Life, Up, Monster University, Inside Out, Finding Dory, Coco, Incredibles, Toy Story, Soul, Turning Red, and Elemental were just too cute.
That’s not all. Marvel fans were also in for a treat with the Avengers assembled. The Star Wars universe was also there, including its newest hit, The Mandalorian. There were also sculptures highlighting some of National Geographic’s programs. And Pandora was also featured with Avatar-themed sand sculptures.
And just like any Disney theme park, the highlight was a castle. Indeed, this festival features an 8-meter-tall Snow White castle.
The 2023 Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival will be up until October 22nd.
Want to experience the magic? Fly from Clark International Airport to Taipei via Cebu Pacific Air, Eva Air, and soon, Starlux Airlines. Details are on Clark International Airport’s social media accounts and clarkinternationalairport.com.
More about Taiwan at eng.taiwan.net.tw.
Follow Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest if you want more travel updates.
Read:
- The Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival is now on its 12th year
- Marveling at Marbles in Romblon
