Organizer: Department of Culture and Tourism
To promote Yunlin’s rich cultural heritage, local industries, and natural landscapes, and to showcase the hidden beauty of Yunlin’s classic towns, the Yunlin County Government held the first half-year contest titled “Goddess of Nature – Yunlin Through the Lens”, which attracted photography enthusiasts nationwide and received over 3,000 submissions. In the second half of the year, the contest “Bravo Yunlin – Capturing the Essence” concluded on November 30, 2024, with 1,688 entries. After careful evaluation, 56 outstanding works were selected and are now featured in the exhibition launched today (January 5, 2025). The public is warmly invited to attend and enjoy these stunning images.
Deputy County Magistrate Chen Bi-Jun stated that Yunlin is no longer just a traditional agricultural county. In recent years, it has actively transformed, integrating cultural tourism and connecting internationally, gradually becoming a cultural and tourism highlight in Taiwan. Tourist visits have grown from 7 million annually to surpassing 30 million in 2024, making Yunlin one of the most desirable destinations for return visits. She emphasized: “The beauty of Yunlin lies not only in its natural scenery but also in its deep cultural roots, everyday life, and warm hospitality. Through the creative lens of photography enthusiasts, more people can discover Yunlin’s stories, visit Yunlin, and fall in love with Yunlin.”
Deputy Director Chen Shi-Xun added that Yunlin boasts abundant and diverse cultural assets and vibrant activities. In the second half of the year, a series of events were launched, including the Yunxi Ocean Music Festival, Chenglong Wetlands Environmental Art Festival, Zhao’an Hakka Cultural Festival, Yunlin International Puppet Festival, Taiwan Coffee Festival, Community Creation Carnival, and Sugar City Carnival. These events provided rich creative themes for the photography contest. The images are not only artistic achievements but also valuable visual assets for promoting Yunlin tourism. Coming up next is the Caoling Cherry Blossom Festival, and the public is encouraged to bring family and friends to enjoy the blossoms and experience Yunlin’s slow-paced lifestyle.
The Department of Culture and Tourism further explained that the contest featured three main themes: Cultural Heritage, Humanistic Landscapes, and Touching Moments in Cultural Activities. It attracted 105 photographers nationwide, who captured Yunlin’s beauty through 1,688 submissions. After rigorous judging, the winners were selected: 1 Gold Award (NT$50,000), 2 Silver Awards (NT$30,000 each), 3 Bronze Awards (NT$10,000 each), 10 Merit Awards (NT$5,000 each), and 40 Honorable Mentions (NT$1,000 each), totaling 56 works. The exhibition runs from today (January 5, 2025) until January 13, 2025. The public is invited to visit, discover Yunlin through these images, and feel its charm and vitality.
SDGs 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
SDGs 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable