Zhuangwei Sand Dune Ecological Park Introduction
The Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Ecological Park is located next to the Provincial Highway 2 coastal road at 149.3K, covering an area of approximately 4.8 hectares. It is a representative new attraction with international charm in Yilan. The park was designed by renowned architect Huang Sheng-yuan, with the core concept of "emptying the valley to see the sand dunes." The design integrates local natural elements of Yilan to present the landscape of the sand dunes and the spatial creation of sand-cave buildings. Walking alongside the park is a tranquil rural landscape, with ponds reflecting changes in the weather and the treetops of the nearby forests. The picturesque scenery enhances the beauty of the Zhuangwei Sand Dunes Tourist Service Park, with the expansive and undulating view of the sand dunes encouraging visitors to slow down. The park was opened in 2018 and features a visitor center, a sand dune exhibition hall (curated by director Tsai Ming-liang), and other spaces. Additionally, nearby attractions include Zhuangwei seaside, bike paths, the Houpi and Luhou distinctive communities, and the Lanyang River estuary birdwatching reserve. Whether during dawn, sunset, or moonrise, strolling through the park, listening to the sound of the waves, and enjoying the scenery provide an excellent experience. This is a place where one can slow down and deeply appreciate the tranquility of nature and cultural charm that the sand dune architecture evokes. The Sand Dune Exhibition Hall: Curated by Tsai Ming-liang with the imagery of "sand dunes" as the core theme, it features six major thematic exhibition halls (Dust, Sea, Moonlight, Wind, Tide, and Rain). The overall presentation mainly utilizes large-scale image projections and integrates natural elements of Zhuangwei such as sand, windbreak forests, and water into the scenic installations, allowing visitors to experience nature firsthand. The walls of the different thematic exhibition halls utilize the originally irregularly curved spaces of the sand cave, as well as the texture of the sandy walls. Furthermore, large hand-painted images created by director Tsai Ming-liang are affixed to the glass curtain walls; each image is personally crafted by him. For instance, the "Dust" hall employs charcoal lines and irregular torn paper techniques to depict the natural imagery of the Zhuangwei sand dunes and the forests. Moreover, each exhibition hall screens Tsai Ming-liang's "Slow Walk Long March" series of films, including eight works such as Colorless, Traveler, Journey to the West, and Sand. The short film "Sand" is the latest creation dedicated to Zhuangwei and this park by director Tsai Ming-liang and actor Lee Kang-sheng. Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors can perceive the interactive effects of visual and sensory creation within the space, while also immersing themselves in the "slowness" conveyed through the works. Visitor Center: The center features parking lots for cars and buses, a bicycle rest station, a tourist information service desk, and a multimedia audiovisual room that accommodates 50 people, playing digital multimedia videos such as "Mountain and Sea Love Scenery" or behind-the-scenes footage of Tsai Ming-liang's "Slow Walk Long March" series of films "Sand." Additionally, brochures introducing travel attractions in the Northeast corner are available for visitors to take.
