Zhuangwei Sand Dune Ecological Park Introduction
Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Ecological Park is located next to Taiwan Provincial Highway 2 at kilometer 149.3, covering an area of approximately 4.8 hectares. It is a representative new attraction of international charm in Yilan. The park is designed by renowned architect Huang Sheng-Yuan, based on the core concept of "voiding the valley to see the sand dunes." It integrates local natural elements to present the landscape of the sand dunes and the architectural space of sand caves. Walking alongside the park, visitors can enjoy the tranquil rural fields on one side and pools reflecting the changing weather and the treetops of the Lin Tou trees on the other. The stunning scenery highlights the beauty of the Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Tourist Service Park, while the expansive rolling dunes encourage a slower pace. The park was completed and opened in 2018 and includes a visitor center and a sand dune exhibition hall (curated by filmmaker Tsai Ming-liang). In addition, the surrounding areas feature Zhuangwei Seaside, bike paths, the Houpi and Liouhou unique communities, and the Lanyang River Mouth Bird Watching Protection Area. Whether during dawn, sunset, or moonrise, strolling through the park while listening to the sounds of the waves and enjoying the scenery is a fantastic experience. Here, visitors can slow down and savor the tranquil nature and cultural ambiance evoked by the sand dune architecture. The Sand Dune Exhibition Hall, curated by Tsai Ming-liang with the core theme of "Dune," features six major themed exhibition halls (Dust, Sea, Moonlight, Wind, Tide, and Rain). The overall presentation relies on large image projections, combined with natural elements from Zhuangwei like sand, windbreak forests, and water for scenic installations, allowing the public to personally experience nature. The walls of the themed exhibition halls utilize the original irregular curves of the architectural sand cave space and textural sand walls, and include uniquely attached hand-drawn large murals on glass curtains, each crafted by Tsai Ming-liang himself. For instance, the "Dust" hall employs charcoal pencil lines and irregular paper tearing techniques to showcase the natural imagery of the Zhuangwei sand dunes and Lin Tou trees. Moreover, each exhibition hall broadcasts various works from Tsai Ming-liang's "Slow Walk Long March" series, such as Colorless, Traveler, Journey to the West, and Sand, totaling eight works. The short film "Sand" is Tsai Ming-liang and actor Lee Kang-sheng's latest creation dedicated to Zhuangwei and the park. Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors can experience the interactive effects of the visual and sensory spaces while immersing themselves in the "slowness" conveyed by the works. The visitor center includes a parking lot for buses and cars, a bike station, a tourist information desk, and a multimedia audiovisual room accommodating 50 people, which plays digital multimedia videos like "Mountain and Sea Love Scenery" and behind-the-scenes footage from Tsai Ming-liang’s "Slow Walk Long March" series. Additionally, brochures introducing tourist attractions in the Northeast Coast are available for visitors to take.
