A Unique Approach to Tourism in Fenglin
Nestled in the tranquil landscape of Taiwan, the small town of Fenglin has found a creative way to draw attention to itself: snail racing. This unusual attraction is more than just a quirky event; it’s a reflection of the community’s commitment to a sustainable lifestyle and its dedication to fostering strong local ties. With a population of around 10,000, Fenglin has embraced its slow-paced rhythm, turning it into a unique selling point for both residents and visitors.
The concept of snail racing was introduced as a means to boost tourism, especially after a powerful earthquake struck in 2024. The natural disaster had a significant impact on the region, causing many to avoid visiting the area due to concerns about future seismic activity. Hsu Lu, a 32-year-old resident, explained that the earthquake had led many people to leave Hualien, the county where Fenglin is located.
In this context, the humble snail offers a novel and gradual method to entice visitors back to the region. By focusing on quality of life, Fenglin has positioned itself as a “slow city” since 2014, when it joined the Cittaslow international network. This network promotes small cities that prioritize quality of life and locally sourced foods. The symbol of Cittaslow is a snail carrying an assortment of buildings on its back, a fitting emblem for a town that has embraced its slow pace.
A Growing Trend
Fenglin’s association with snails has grown over the years, especially as the town has become a prime example of Taiwan’s “super-aged” society, with more than 20% of its residents over the age of 65. To help reinvigorate local tourism after the April 2024 earthquake, which claimed 19 lives and injured over 1,100, the community decided to host a snail race the following month. Organiser Cheng Jen-shou explained that they believed the event could attract people and provide a small but meaningful contribution to the local economy.
This year, the town held the third edition of the race during the May Day holiday. Several dozen enthusiastic residents and tourists attended the event, which featured six snail races spread out over two days. The winners from each race competed in the final, but not before posing in front of their audiences while slowly being pulled on a piece of plywood across a green carpet as their fans cheered them on.
Snail Racing at Its Best
Li Cheng-wen, a 70-year-old retiree from Fenglin, brought several snails to the race. He caught them in his vegetable garden, where they were snacking on his leafy greens. Instead of killing them as some farmers do, he decided to raise them as pets. Li feeds them slices of bananas, papaya, and vegetable leaves and showers them daily. According to him, the criteria for choosing snails for the race include selecting those that are very active and pleasing to the eye.
Kelvin Hong and Tiara Lin also brought a slightly snail to the race. The couple traveled all the way from the southern city of Kaohsiung, about a five-hour drive away, together with their 2-year-old daughter, Murphy, and their giant African snail, Aquaman. The couple had signed up Aquaman for a previous race in 2024, but just as they were headed for Fenglin, Lin went into labour. Now the whole family returned to cheer on Aquaman.
Brother Snail, a Recurring Champion
Despite being larger than most of its homegrown competitors — which had been picked out from local gardens or the side of the road — Aquaman was rather slow. Once the race started, it and nine other snails were placed near the center of a round table covered with a thin vinyl sheet. The first to reach the edge of the table was crowned the winner.
The absolute champion was Guage, or Brother Snail. Its owner, 39-year-old Tanya Lin from Hualien, had been raising the snail since 2024, when it also won one race. This year, Brother Snail crossed the 33-centimeter (13-inch) tablecloth in 3 minutes and 3 seconds. That performance earned it the top spot on a tiny stadium and a prize of organic sweet potato leaves.
A Slow Life Alternative
Beyond the snail race, the local government has been trying to attract tourism by offering guided e-bike tours with stops at historic tobacco barns, Japanese colonial-era buildings, and a Hakka-minority museum. The idea of a slower pace of life was compelling enough to attract university students Annette Lin and Tanya Liu, who rode the train for about 30 minutes from Hualien on Saturday to check out the snail race and Fenglin’s slow vibes.
The friends found the competition unique and enjoyed Fenglin’s leisurely pace — but only as a respite from the busy city life. “I think for travel or a trip, it’s a great choice,” Liu said. “But maybe living here would not really be my dream choice.”
