目錄
The 2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival was never on my must-visit list. I picked a weekday to go to Fulong simply because I wanted to get out of Taipei for a while and walk by the sea. The sand sculpture festival was more of an extra stop along the way. But once I actually entered Fulong Beach, what was supposed to be a one- or two-hour visit somehow turned into four and a half hours of taking photos and playing by the water.
The last time I came here was several years ago, and when I stepped onto the beach again, my first thought was that this year’s sculptures seemed much bigger than I remembered. There were dinosaurs from Jurassic World, a giant shark bursting out of the sand, E.T., the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and eventually Shrek’s Far Far Away castle. Only when I got close did I realize how detailed everything was, from skin textures and teeth to the tiny gaps between bricks.
And Fulong has never been only about sand sculptures. The venue is very close to the train station, the beach is right beside it, and after seeing the sculptures you can walk straight to the outer bay and step into the sea. Fulong lunchboxes and the Old Caoling Tunnel cycling route are also nearby, making it very easy for what was supposed to be a half-day trip to stretch all the way into the evening.
2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival｜Dates, Universal IP Theme, and June-Limited Events
What surprised me most was the moment I stood on the beach and suddenly thought, “It really is summer.” The sand beneath my shoes was hot from the sun, while the sound of the waves kept coming from beside me. Fulong is only a train ride away from Taipei, yet the atmosphere felt completely different, and even my walking pace slowed down without me noticing.
The 2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival is already in its 19th year. It opened on May 29 and runs through October 26. This year’s theme is the “Universal Summer Sand Sculpture Party,” bringing an entire lineup of Universal movie IPs onto the beach: Jurassic World, Jaws, Back to the Future, E.T., Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar, and the Minions. Fifteen sand sculptors from Taiwan and overseas were invited to create around 40 works.
It was hard to tell whether the feeling came from the sand sculptures or simply from being beside the sea. Maybe it was just one of those afternoons when there was nowhere else I needed to rush to and no next stop pushing me forward. When it got too hot, I found somewhere to hide from the sun. Whenever I saw the sea, I wandered toward the beach. I didn’t even need to decide in advance when to leave. What began as a simple trip to Fulong ended up feeling like I had unexpectedly pressed pause on everyday life for a while.
How Do You Get from Fulong Station to Fulong Beach? The Sand Sculpture Venue Is Only a 5-Minute Walk Away
One of the best things about Fulong is that you barely need to transfer after getting off the train. It takes around 5–10 minutes to walk from TRA Fulong Station to Fulong Beach. After leaving the station, simply walk along the small street in front of it and you will quickly see signs leading toward the sea. For anyone who does not want to spend the whole day figuring out transportation, the distance is very convenient. If you drive, parking at Fulong Parking Lot currently costs NT$20 per hour on weekdays and NT$40 per hour on weekends and holidays, and it is also only a short walk from there to the beach.
But I did not head straight to the beach after getting off the train. The hardest thing to ignore in front of Fulong Station is still the lunchbox shops. Several long-established stores line the roadside, and before I could even smell the sea, I was already surrounded by the scent of braised pork, marinated eggs, and vegetables. I bought a Fulong lunchbox and continued walking with it in hand. In Taipei, I would rarely treat a lunchbox as part of the itinerary, but somehow in Fulong, eating one feels like part of actually arriving.
It was almost noon when I arrived, so I first stopped at the Starbucks Fulong Ocean View Store for a coffee. Air conditioning, coffee, and the sea outside the window made for an unexpectedly relaxing combination. One moment I was standing beside the station holding a lunchbox, and the next I was sitting down looking at the ocean. Fulong is perfect for this kind of unhurried travel. The station, lunchbox shops, cafés, and beach are all close together, so there is no need to constantly rush between places. Simply wandering slowly from the station toward the sea already feels like the beginning of a trip.
2026 Fulong Sand Sculpture Transportation｜TRA, Bus, and Driving Information
Fulong Beach is located close to TRA Fulong Station, making the train the most convenient way to get there. After leaving Fulong Station, follow the signs and walk for about 5 minutes. Depending on your walking speed, allowing 5–10 minutes is more comfortable.
| Transportation | Information |
|---|---|
| TRA Train | Take a TRA train to Fulong Station, then walk about 5–10 minutes to Fulong Beach. During the 2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival, some Tze-Chiang Limited Express services make additional stops at Fulong on certain weekends and holidays. Check the latest TRA timetable before departure. |
| Bus | Take Keelung Bus 791 (National New Town–Fulong) or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 856 Gold Fulong Shuttle Bus, get off at Fulong Station, then walk to the beach. |
| Driving｜From Taipei | Take National Freeway 1 or 3 and connect to Provincial Highway 2 along the coast toward Fulong. Another option is National Freeway 1 to the Wanli–Ruifang Expressway, then transfer to Highway 2. |
| Driving｜From National Freeway 5 | Exit at Shiding and take Route 106 through Pingxi and Shuangxi before connecting to Highway 2C; alternatively, exit at Toucheng and take Highway 9 and then Highway 2 along the coast toward Fulong. |
| Fulong Parking Lot | Small vehicles currently cost NT$20/hour on weekdays and NT$40/hour on weekends and holidays. On weekdays, the first hour is NT$20 and each additional 30 minutes costs NT$10. On weekends and holidays, the first hour is NT$40 and each additional 30 minutes costs NT$20. Actual rates are subject to on-site notices. |
How Much Are 2026 Fulong Sand Sculpture Tickets? Ticket Options and My Entry Experience
I bought my ticket in advance through KKday. Once I arrived, there was no need to queue at the ticket counter. I simply opened the electronic ticket and scanned the QR Code to enter. Especially on busy weekends, having your ticket ready in advance can save quite a bit of waiting time.
KKday Ticket Link｜2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
Current on-site ticket prices are:
- Adult ticket: NT$220 (ages 13–64)
- Concession ticket: NT$145 (ages 3–12)
- Senior ticket: NT$110 (ages 65 and above)
- Group ticket: NT$190 (groups of 20 or more)
- Children under age 3 enter free
- Visitors with a disability certificate enter free, along with one accompanying person
That day, I pulled up my KKday electronic ticket, scanned the QR Code, and walked straight across Rainbow Bridge with almost no waiting.
KKday Ticket Link｜2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
The moment the Jurassic World entrance appeared, I was completely stunned. I had not even properly entered the exhibition area yet, but the entire row of sand-sculpted dinosaurs at the entrance already felt overwhelming. Their enormous bodies stretched in from both sides as though pulling visitors directly into a movie scene. The dinosaurs held their heads high, their mouths wide open, with every tooth clearly sculpted and even their sharp expressions captured in the sand. It did not feel like looking at sand sculptures at all. It felt more like standing directly in front of them.
I actually froze for a moment at the entrance. My first thought was simply: Is this really all made of sand?
The closer I looked, the more unbelievable it became. Fine grains of sand caught the sunlight across the surface, making the sculpted layers even more visible. The texture of the dinosaur skin, the rise and fall of the muscles, and even the changes in shadow had all been shaped with remarkable depth. I originally thought I would just take a quick photo at the entrance and move on, but I ended up staying there for quite a while, completely absorbed by the opening display.
Highlights of the 2026 Fulong Sand Sculptures｜Jurassic World, Back to the Future, E.T., and Shrek
After passing through the Jurassic World entrance, the rest of the sculptures began appearing one after another. I had assumed I would walk through fairly quickly, but that was not what happened at all. Every few steps, another work pulled my attention away. I would stand in front of it for a while, then slowly move on to the next section. I ended up walking through the exhibition far more slowly than expected.
The first sculpture that made me stop for a long time was Jaws. The entire shark’s head looked as though it were bursting straight out of the sand, with an enormous mouth and row after row of teeth extending inward. Even the folds around its mouth and jaw were carved in detail. I knew perfectly well that it was only a sand sculpture, yet standing directly in front of it still made me instinctively take a small step backward. That sense of pressure did not come from color or special effects. The sculptors created all of it purely through height, depth, and shadow.
Further inside was Back to the Future. The DeLorean is already one of the most recognizable movie cars, but seeing it recreated in sand somehow made me want to stare at every detail. The front, tires, doors, and body lines were all there. Looking closely created a strange contradiction: the vehicle in front of me looked rigid, metallic, and mechanical, yet everything I was seeing was made entirely from sand. This was one of the works where I spent the longest time.
E.T. had a completely different feeling. I originally planned to glance at it and move on, but once I walked around to the side, I stopped again because the character’s expression and hand details looked slightly different depending on the angle.
The atmosphere became much lighter around the Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon section. The dinosaurs and Jaws earlier had felt intimidating, but this part went in an entirely different direction. The characters were already cute to begin with, and turning them into sand sculptures somehow made them look even rounder and softer. A lot of children stood glued to the front of the sculptures and refused to leave. Just watching their reactions made it obvious how popular this section was.
But the work that truly made me stand there looking upward for a long time was the final Far Far Away castle from Shrek.
My first reaction was honestly just: This is way too huge!!!!!!!!!
Standing too close made it impossible to take in the entire thing. I had to keep backing away before I could finally fit the whole castle into my field of view. Towers, arches, walls, and windows were layered together, and even the individual brick patterns across the walls had been sculpted. From a distance, the sheer scale was overwhelming. Up close, I started noticing all the tiny details, and I ended up spending much longer there than expected.
I was not thinking about any profound meaning while standing there. I simply looked at it for a while and unexpectedly felt a little moved. Maybe it was because I had already seen so many sculptures along the way and then suddenly arrived in front of a castle large enough to fill almost my entire view. Or maybe it was simply because the craftsmanship was so detailed. Whatever the reason, at that moment I had one very simple thought: I’m glad I came today.
What Can You Do at Fulong Beach? Walking Around the Inner Bay, Outer Bay, and Rainbow Bridge
After finishing the sand sculpture exhibition, I did not leave Fulong Beach immediately. Instead, I continued walking toward Rainbow Bridge. Once I crossed it, the view suddenly opened up, and directly ahead was the outer bay facing the Pacific Ocean. It felt completely different from the exhibition area, where there was always something competing for your attention. At the beach, there was nothing but a wide stretch of sand, seawater, and the horizon far in the distance.
That afternoon, I did not feel any need to rush into doing something else. When I got tired, I stopped. When a wave came closer, I took a few steps toward it. The sand had been heated by the sun until it was almost too hot to stand on, so whenever my feet could not take it anymore, I simply walked into the water until it reached my ankles, waited for them to cool down, and then kept walking. It was nothing more than an ordinary walk by the sea, yet those twenty-something minutes became one of the most comfortable parts of the entire day.
Fulong is also very suitable for visiting alone like this. There is no fixed time when you need to reach somewhere, and no need to leave simply because the person traveling with you wants to go. If you want to stand somewhere longer, you can. If you want to sit and watch the sea for a long time, you can do that too. What I remember most clearly from that day, besides the giant sand sculptures, is the feeling of walking back and forth through the water alone in the outer bay that afternoon.
What Time Is Best for the 2026 Fulong Sand Sculptures? Photo Timing, Sun Protection, and Clothing Tips
Fulong Sand Sculpture Opening Hours and the Best Time to Enter
The 2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival is open from 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, with last admission at 18:00. On Saturdays and Sundays, it remains open until 19:30, with last admission at 18:30.
If your main goal is photographing the sand sculptures, shortly after opening in the morning or around 4 p.m. is much more comfortable than midday. Around noon, the sun is almost directly overhead. Not only is it extremely hot, but the grooves, carvings, and textures across the sand sculptures are also less visible. Once the afternoon light starts coming in at an angle, shadows begin to form, revealing the characters’ expressions, folds in clothing, and architectural textures in very different ways.
Fulong Beach Gets Extremely Sunny, So Prepare Sun Protection and Comfortable Clothing
The sand sculpture exhibition is directly on the beach, and the biggest issue is not the walking distance but the lack of shade. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water are all very useful. If you burn easily, bringing a thin long-sleeved layer will make the visit much more comfortable. I only used basic sun protection that day and did not realize until I got home that the entire area around my collarbones had turned red. It still stung noticeably from sun exposure the following day.
For shoes, I recommend something lightweight, easy to remove, and able to handle sand. Sandals or flip-flops are much more convenient than closed shoes, especially if you want to walk into the water at the outer bay after seeing the sculptures. You will not need to constantly deal with sand trapped inside your shoes. The entire Fulong Beach itinerary is better suited to relaxed clothing, so there is really no need to wear shoes that are difficult to walk in just for photos.
Fulong Sand Sculpture Tickets Can Be Purchased in Advance, with KKday E-Tickets Scanned Directly at Entry
I bought my ticket in advance through KKday. After arriving at Fulong Beach, I simply opened the electronic ticket and scanned the QR Code to enter without queuing again at the ticket counter. On a weekday, the difference might not feel significant, but on weekends or during the summer vacation period, buying ahead can at least save one queue.
KKday Ticket Link｜2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
There are also ticket machines on-site, so deciding to visit at the last minute is not a problem. However, if your travel date is already fixed, having the electronic ticket ready beforehand is more convenient. Once you arrive, you can go straight into the exhibition and start exploring.
How Should You Plan a Fulong Day Trip? Combining the Sand Sculpture Festival with Nearby Attractions
Fulong is actually worth giving a full day. After seeing the sand sculptures and walking around the outer bay, you can continue toward the Old Caoling Tunnel, Sandiao Cape, or Mao’ao if you still have time. None of these places are especially far away, so you can choose according to whether you want to cycle, walk, or simply continue looking at the sea. There is no need to force all of them into the same day.
- Old Caoling Tunnel Cycling Route: You can rent a bicycle near Fulong Station and follow the former railway route into the tunnel. It is much cooler inside than outside, and once you emerge from the tunnel, the sea comes back into view. It pairs very well with a sand sculpture visit. If the weather is good, allowing two or three hours for a relaxed ride is more comfortable.
- Sandiao Cape Lighthouse: If you want more ocean views, continue toward Sandiao Cape. The white lighthouse and views of Taiwan’s Northeast Coast are excellent for walking and photography, and the stop does not require too much time, making it easy to include in a Fulong itinerary.
- Caoling Historic Trail: This is better suited to travelers who genuinely want to hike and is very different from the easier activities above. Walking the full trail requires more time and proper walking shoes. If your main purpose that day is the sand sculpture festival and you are dressed lightly for the beach, it may be more comfortable to save this for another day.
- Mao’ao Fishing Village: If you still want to continue along the coast in the afternoon, Mao’ao is another option. The rhythm of this small fishing village feels completely different from Fulong Beach. It is a good place to stop for something to eat, look at the sea, and slowly wind down the day.
- Fullon Hotel Fulong: If you do not want to make the trip back the same day, you can stay overnight in Fulong. The hotel is located close to the beach, so there is no need to rush for a train the next morning. You can walk by the sea again or save the Old Caoling Tunnel for the second day.
If you only have one day, my top recommendation is Fulong Sand Sculpture Art Festival＋Fulong Beach＋Old Caoling Tunnel Cycling Route. The distances between them are short, so the day does not feel like it is being consumed by transportation.
After leaving Fulong, the image that kept returning to my mind was the Shrek castle I had seen that afternoon. Once the festival ends on October 26, these sculptures will disappear too, and next year the beach will return with another theme and a different set of characters. Thinking about that made me slightly reluctant to let them go. I had just spent an entire afternoon looking carefully at those windows, brick walls, and character expressions, and only a few months later, returning to the same place would no longer mean seeing the same things.
But that is probably why I remember the day so clearly. I remember trying to find somewhere to escape from the midday heat, walking through the exhibition again after the afternoon sunlight began to angle lower, and eventually taking off my shoes and slowly walking through the water at the outer bay. There was no especially ambitious itinerary. In fact, much of the day was spent simply standing still, sitting down, or looking at things slowly. But it was an incredibly comfortable day.
なんくるないさ — that was probably the feeling.
I had originally gone to Fulong just to take a walk, but somehow ended up leaving the entire afternoon there.
If you happen to be heading toward Taiwan’s Northeast Coast between June and October, you can easily leave half a day for the Fulong sand sculptures. If you have more time, stay until evening. See the exhibition, walk along the beach, eat a Fulong lunchbox, and have a cup of coffee. You do not need to cram the day full of attractions for it to feel complete.
KKday Ticket Link｜2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival
Quick Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival “Universal Summer Sand Sculpture Party” (19th edition) |
| Dates | May 29–October 26, 2026 |
| Location | Fulong Beach, No. 42 Fulong Street, Gongliao District, New Taipei City |
| Opening Hours | Weekdays 08:00–19:00 (last admission 18:00)／Weekends 08:00–19:30 (last admission 18:30) |
| Tickets | Adult NT$220／Concession NT$145 (ages 3–12)／Senior NT$110 (65+)／Group NT$190 (20+)／Free for children under 3 and eligible visitors with disabilities |
| Transportation | 5-minute walk from TRA Fulong Station; Keelung Bus 791, 887, Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 856 Gold Fulong Shuttle Bus; drivers can take Provincial Highway 2 |
| Parking | NT$20/hour on weekdays, NT$40/hour on weekends and holidays |