The Puli Fuxing Bike Tour, co-organized by the Nantou County Government and the Nantou Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, was held on the 19th at Fuxing Hot Spring Park, drawing over a thousand enthusiastic participants. The event featured a range of eco-friendly activities, including guided bike tours, tree planting, the "Forest Feast" vegetarian market, the distribution of 1,000 saplings, the "Green Action Challenge Pass," and an environmental education drama by the Yuchi Theatre Group, creating a full day of green living experiences in Nantou.
Nantou County Mayor Hsu Shu-Hua attended and presided over the opening ceremony. In her speech, she noted that April 22nd marks Earth Day, underscoring the county government's commitment to sustainability. She highlighted the establishment of the county’s Sustainable Development Division, which works for eco-conscious tourism while promoting local attractions. Furthermore, she noted that hosting the Puli Fuxing bike tour at Fuxing Hot Spring Park allowed attendees to appreciate Puli’s stunning natural landscape. She also expressed gratitude to FANCA for providing saplings and to council members who contributed funds for disadvantaged children to participate in the event. She hoped the event would inspire greater public engagement in sustainable development initiatives. Additionally, she announced that the Nantou Chocoffee Festival will take place at Fuxing Hot Spring Park starting May 30th, featuring bicycle and autonomous vehicle guided tours to encourage low-carbon travel.
Building on last year’s greening efforts, a tree-planting ceremony was held at the Fuxing Hot Spring Visitor Center, where Mayor Hsu was joined by Legislator Ma Wen-Chun, FANCA Deputy Director General Liao Yi-Kuang, FANCA Nantou Branch Director Lee Cheng-Hsien, County Councilors Chen Yi-Chun, Wu Kuo-Chang, Su Yu-Cheng, Huang Shih-Fang, and Puli Township Mayor Liao Chih-Cheng. Together, they planted saplings, contributing to a lasting green legacy for the environment.
The event kicked off with a guided bike tour, led by an expert instructor through the Fuxing area and its scenic surroundings. By integrating local culture and environmental storytelling, the tour provided participants with a deeper understanding of Fuxing’s history and landscape. The "Green Action Challenge Pass" activity featured interactive stations focusing on plastic reduction, waste sorting, and green energy education. Participants who completed the challenges could choose from five rewards, including saplings, exclusive event gifts, NT$50 park vouchers, travel-sized toiletries, and inflatable playground admission tickets.
Another major highlight was the "Forest Feast" vegetarian market, showcasing a diverse selection of plant-based meals, desserts, and sustainable lifestyle products, promoting a diet with less meat and more vegetables. Nearby, public service booths provided information on motorcycle inspections, smoke-free environments, and wildlife conservation, along with free haircuts and charity sales, inviting attendees to support social causes.
According to the Nantou County Department of Tourism, 40 bicycles are available for free public use at the Fuxing Hot Spring Visitor Center’s rental station. The department also encouraged participation in upcoming events, including a 100km cycling challenge, small-town bike tours, the Nantou Starry Night Festival, Taiwan Tourism 100 Spotlights, and the Nantou Chocoffee Festival, offering visitors opportunities for cycling, stargazing, and enjoying coffee and chocolate in Nantou.