Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Ecological Park Introduction
Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Ecological Park is located next to the Provincial Highway 2 coastal road at 149.3K and covers an area of approximately 4.8 hectares. It is a representative international attraction in Yilan. The park was designed by renowned architect Huang Sheng-Yuan with the core concept of "Emptying the Valley to See the Dunes," blending local natural elements to present the landscape of sand dunes and the architectural space of sand caves. Walking alongside the park, one can find the tranquil rural fields on one side and ponds reflecting the changing weather and the treetops of lithocarpus trees on the other. The scenery not only complements the beauty of the Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Tourism Service Park but also invites visitors to slow down with the vast undulating dune landscape before them. The park was completed and opened in 2018 and includes a visitor center and a Dune Exhibition Hall (curated by director Tsai Ming-Liang). Additionally, nearby attractions include Zhuangwei Coastal Area, cycling paths, Houpi and Luhou特色 communities, and the Lanyang River Estuary Bird Watching Reserve, all showcasing unique landscapes. Whether during dawn, sunset, or moonrise, strolling through the park, listening to the sound of the waves, and enjoying the scenery is an exceptional experience. Visitors can slow down and savor the tranquil nature and cultural charm brought about by the sand dune architecture. Dune Exhibition Hall: The exhibition hall, centered on the imagery of "sand dunes," features six themed exhibition areas (dust, sea, moonlight, wind, tide, and rain), primarily showcasing through large-scale image projections. It incorporates natural elements of Zhuangwei, such as sand, windbreaks, and water. Visitors can experience nature firsthand, while the walls of the different themed exhibition areas use the naturally irregular and curved spaces of the sand caves, enhancing the sand-textured wall surfaces. Notably, large hand-painted murals created by director Tsai Ming-Liang are attached to the glass curtain walls, and each mural is personally applied by him. For example, the "Dust" hall uses charcoal lines and irregular torn paper techniques to depict the natural imagery of the Zhuangwei sand dunes and lithocarpus trees. Furthermore, each exhibition hall screens a selection of Tsai Ming-Liang’s "Slow Walking Long March" series films, including eight works such as "Colorless," "Walker," "Journey to the West," and "Sand," with the "Sand" short film being a recent creation dedicated to Zhuangwei and the park by director Tsai Ming-Liang and actor Lee Kang-Sheng. Entering the exhibition hall, visitors can simultaneously experience the interactive visual and sensory effects of the space while immersing themselves in the conveyed notion of "slowness." Visitor Center: The center features parking facilities for buses and cars, bike stations, a tourism information desk, and a multimedia audio-visual room that can accommodate 50 people, screening the digital multimedia video "Mountains and Seas Love Scenery" or behind-the-scenes footage from Tsai Ming-Liang's "Sand" in the Slow Walking Long March series. It also provides brochures introducing tourist attractions in the Northeast Coast for visitors to take.
