Taipei Flora Expo

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If you get in after 1:30 pm, you pay only half price. Anyways, you have to wait until 8 or 9 to get into the most coveted pavillions...

[headhonchoII]

Well I know a lot of companies got half-price group tickets as did govt employees and the schoolkids..so probably most people got discounts. Then there was a big flood of people just after 1:30pm, so if you come in later you get a cheaper deal but there was literally 1000s of people walking over the bridge in both directions, like a football match after full-time!

[Chris]

A quick at-a-glance guide to my opinions on the pavilions:

Definitely worthwhile

Pavilion of Future. If you love plants and botany, don't miss it. Line, but no tickets.

Expo Dome. This is the place where you can see the entries of flower and gardening competitions. Line, but no tickets.

Pavilion of Regimen. Amazing bonsai displays. Tickets needed.

Expo Hall. Quality stage shows. Check listings. Long wait to get in; no tickets.

Taipei Story House. Historic house with interesting collection of period furnishings. Don't miss the 1935 promo film. Tickets needed.


Go if you have the time or inclination

Pavilion of Dreams. Maximum weirdness, but crazy waiting/ticketing system. Tickets needed.

Theatre of Dreams. An adjunct to the Pavilion of Dreams. Animated short video by Jimmy Liao, supplemented with some animatronic effects. Line to get in.

Expo Theatre. Short 3D animated movie about landslide. Poorly fitting 3D glasses provided. Tickets needed.

Pavilion of Culture. Small, but interesting displays on aspects of Chinese culture. No line or tickets.

Palace of Flora Teas. Lovely stroll through Taiwanese gardens and traditional old home. No tickets, no lines.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Regular modern art museum. Free entry if on Expo grounds. Gauguin exhibition extra. No lines or tickets.

Pavilion of Aroma of Flowers. Nothing more than a souvenir shop. Go if you want a souvenir. No lines or tickets.


Don't waste your time

EcoARK/Pavilion of Fashion. Boring building made of plastic bottles. (Go only if you like fashion shows and can time your entry to see one). Line to get in.

Pavilion of Angel Life. Silly art display followed by sillier animated short. So, are they rabbits or cats? Line to get in.

Celebrity's House. Unless you're a fan of Teresa Teng, don't bother. Even if you are, you may be disappointed. Tickets needed.

[Tempo Gain]

Pavilion of Regimen. Amazing bonsai displays. Tickets needed.

I believe the programs there are to rotate every few weeks. The bonsai show may be over already. It really was something.

[Chris]

Pavilion of Regimen. Amazing bonsai displays. Tickets needed.

I believe the programs there are to rotate every few weeks. The bonsai show may be over already. It really was something.

I'll have to check it out again. Maybe I'll visit again tomorrow...

[cranky laowai]

Many thanks for the reviews, Chris. I'll certainly keep a printout of the your master list with me once I finally make it to the show.

Re. the Taipei Story House: Those who live here might skip the Story House if they have limited time for the show, as the house was open to the public long before the show began and should remain open long after the show closes -- though perhaps the promo film won't be playing after the Flora Expo.

[Chris]

Pavilion of Regimen. Amazing bonsai displays. Tickets needed.

I believe the programs there are to rotate every few weeks. The bonsai show may be over already. It really was something.

I just came from there and was told they rotate bonsai displays. But what I saw there today is the same as what I saw a few weeks ago. (Hint: Go after 7:00pm... no waiting. The garden out back is better during the day, but it is lit up in the evening.)

BTW, the 550-year-old tree is something to see.

The Expo Dome is now showing an exhibit on agriculture, agri-tech and forestry.

[ThreadKiller]

I'll be getting my season pass in a week's time when my vacation starts. I'm looking forward to leisurely strolling around.

Here are some pics from when my SO and parents viewed some of the show a while back. I was at work and have no idea where they went. I'm sure Chris could tell me though.

[tommy525]

Im in Calif so I wont be attending. But wondering. Your ticket is good for one day only yes? So you have to see as much as you can during your day, unless you pay again?

And when some pavilions need tickets are they extra cost, or the tickets are crowd control?

[Chris]

Im in Calif so I wont be attending. But wondering. Your ticket is good for one day only yes? So you have to see as much as you can during your day, unless you pay again?

I believe that's the case. One day, one ticket (unless you have a season pass; there may be some other concessions). Discounts if you go later in the day. You can leave the Expo grounds at any time, and they stamp your hand (yes, different stamp each day!) so you can come back in.

And when some pavilions need tickets are they extra cost, or the tickets are crowd control?

Pavilion tickets are free, and handed out in front of the pavilions in question (except for the Pavilion of Dreams, in which case they're still free, but are distributed early in the morning at a special location). The tickets have a time stamped on them. Yes, it's for crowd control.