[Reported by Tan Jie and Zhao Qitao from Yilan]
The highly anticipated annual environmental event, the "2026 Yilan Green Expo," will be held on March 28th at the Wulaokeng Scenic Area in Su'ao. The Yilan County Government held a press conference today (March 12th) in the County Hall to announce the premiere of its new theme song, "May Dreams Bloom." Acting County Magistrate Lin Mao-sheng invited people from all over the country to visit Yilan this spring, step into the Green Expo Park, and experience this year's sustainable exploration journey themed "Treasures of Science."
This year's Green Expo theme song, "May Dreams Bloom," was composed by veteran musician and Yilan native, Mr. Hsieh Wen-te, and performed in collaboration with the Hart Musical Theatre and the Wen-Feng Dance Theatre. This is Mr. Hsieh's fourth time composing for the Green Expo. This time, he specifically used the Yilan dialect as the basis for the lyrics, weaving the gentle, poetic local language into the melody to depict the warmth of neighborly help and support, and to evoke memories of a simple yet pristine life. Facing the challenges of overexploitation of resources and climate change, he hopes to remind the world through the song that since humanity is merely a passerby on Earth, we have a responsibility to protect this land for future generations, sowing seeds of kindness in our daily lives so that the world can blossom and bear fruit anew in a slower pace.
The county government stated that the 2026 Yilan Green Expo will run for 44 days, from March 28th to May 10th. This year's theme is "Treasures of Investigation," a concept derived from the "investigation of things to extend knowledge" (格物致知) in the *Book of Rites* (礼记·大学), symbolizing the discovery of the wisdom and knowledge inherent in the workings of nature through observation and exploration. The exhibition incorporates the "Nature's Solution (NbS)" concept, using environmental education and interactive experiences to guide the public in rethinking the relationship between humanity and nature, and to work together to protect species, cherish the ocean, and restore the earth.
This year's Green Expo features 18 sustainability zones, covering topics from oceans, ecology, and energy to agricultural culture, creating an immersive experience that combines scientific exploration and environmental education. Among them, "Blue Pulse" takes visitors on a deep-sea dive to explore marine life such as the trident fish, anglerfish, and false killer whale; "Elder's Paradise" unveils the mysteries of gas and atmospheric operation through air rockets and experimental devices; and "Future Power Company" uses hundreds of interactive energy teaching aids to help children learn about energy transformation and a net-zero future through play.
In addition, "Origins of the Austronesian Islands" recreates Atayal houses from a century ago, leading the public to learn about Austronesian culture and forest wisdom; "Carbon Memory" explores the role of carbon in the Earth's 4.6 billion-year evolution through a time-space journey, reflecting on the relationship between climate change and human civilization.
In terms of natural aesthetics and cultural experience, the exhibition areas such as "Plant Nursery," "Green Ark," "Orchid Garden," and "Potted Greenery" showcase plant art, native plant landscapes, and bonsai aesthetics, allowing visitors to feel the vitality of the land amidst flowers and greenery. The agricultural and healing-themed exhibition areas "Agricultural Experiment School" and "Healing Land" combine smart agriculture with five-sense experiences, presenting the resilience of agriculture and the charm of a slow-paced life.
The Green Expo also features several interactive exhibition areas for families, including "Animal Farm," where visitors can get up close to dairy cows, goats, and musk pigs and learn about economic animal welfare; "Duck Axe Show," which introduces the rice-duck symbiosis culture of Yilan through food and agriculture education; and "Fish Eye World," which invites visitors to wear binoculars or masks to enter the Xincheng River and observe the aquatic fish and shrimp ecosystem.
In addition, the park also offers the immersive puzzle game "Land of No Gods" and 19 low-carbon family-friendly games and facilities across three water and land experience areas, including a human gyroscope, a 360-degree bicycle, a turtle bungee, a dream net, and a space ring, allowing visitors to gain a fun and sustainable learning experience through physical challenges and interactive games.
Lin Mao-sheng stated that the Green Expo, meticulously planned throughout the year, combines science, culture, and ecological education to present a rich and diverse array of sustainable exhibits, from the deep sea and the land to the sky. It is Yilan's most important spring environmental flagship event. He sincerely invites people from all over the country, along with their families, teachers, and students, to visit Wulaokeng, explore the wisdom of all things, and discover their own sustainable treasures in the rhythm of nature.
The "2026 Yilan Green Expo - Gezhi Treasures" will be held from March 28 to May 10 at the Wulaokeng Scenic Area in Su'ao, lasting 44 days. Tickets include a NT$100 pass for Yilan County residents and school children, a NT$150 full-price pass for weekdays, a NT$250 full-price pass for weekends, a NT$120 concessionary pass for weekdays, a NT$200 concessionary pass for weekends, and a NT$300 multi-entry pass. A combined ticket with the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Lanyang Museum is also available. From April 20 to April 26, it is New Taipei City Week, during which New Taipei City residents can enjoy a NT$100 admission discount upon presentation of their ID card.