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Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park offered more than a quick Christmas-tree photograph in 2025. Its 12-metre tree, weekend seasonal market and interactive warehouse exhibition could form one afternoon-to-evening visit. The essential planning point was to separate market trading, indoor art hours and outdoor illumination.
The 2025 season extended into January 2026
The festival opened on December 6, 2025. Originally scheduled to finish December 25, it extended to January 4, 2026, including the tree in Nanrong Square and two additional market weekends.
As of October 22, 2026, the following winter’s Christmas programme had not been announced. These dates describe a completed season, not an annually recurring timetable.
| Historical component | Dates and hours | Planning consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Tree illumination | Daily 17:00–22:00 in the 2025 season, extended through January 4, 2026; Wednesdays included | A later visit could still work for the outdoor tree |
| Initial Saturday markets | December 13 and 20, 2025, 11:00–20:00 | Shopping could continue into the evening |
| Initial Sunday markets | December 14 and 21, 11:00–18:00 | Browse first, then see the tree after 17:00 |
| Extension markets | December 27–28 and January 3–4, 10:00–18:00 | Do not carry over the earlier 20:00 Saturday finish |
| Indoor exhibition during the extension | 10:00–18:00, closed Wednesdays | Visit the warehouse before the outdoor evening stop |
Indoor art initially had later Friday and Saturday hours, but the extension phase used 10:00–18:00. For an extension-weekend visit, finish the warehouse exhibition before heading outside for the tree.
A tree framed by the former paper mill
The 12-metre main tree stood in Nanrong Square, where the industrial buildings provided a setting quite unlike a department-store entrance. A useful photographic approach was to see the architecture in remaining daylight, then compare it with the illuminated tree after 17:00.
Keeping a person in the foreground and the tree and buildings behind can communicate the location better than standing directly beneath the lights. Stay in pedestrian areas rather than approaching closed industrial structures for a photograph. Do not plan around nightly artificial snow, a synchronized musical-tree show or an observation platform simply because the event is a light-art festival.
The market was a weekend event, not a daily fixture
The initial markets occupied 戲棚下 and 光合屋, bringing together crafts, fragrance, lifestyle goods and food. For gift shopping, compare the materials and intended use rather than choosing solely by Christmas packaging; food stalls offered a useful break between exhibition spaces.
A limited gift-exchange promotion accompanied purchases during the initial programme, subject to its own rules. It was not a guaranteed free present for everyone, and the extension notice does not establish identical promotional terms. Free admission also did not mean free merchandise, food or workshops.
Give the interactive art more than a passing glance
The 2025 festival divided five works between an outdoor “Light” area and a warehouse “Shadow” area. 光聚 緩緩 responded to the outdoor setting, while a tunnel-like indoor route used changing light to shape the experience of moving through the old building.
Echoes of Shadows used five large projection screens to enlarge visitors’ images and trigger sound and light as they approached. Cosmic Writing offered a different interaction: sending a symbolic wishing sphere from a phone. Read the on-site instructions and take turns rather than having everyone crowd the sensing position simultaneously.
These were specific 2025 artworks, not permanent park facilities. A 21:00 arrival could work for the tree, but would have missed the indoor programme. Afternoon was the more useful choice for visitors wanting shopping and art as well as illumination.
Rail access: distinguish Zhongli from Zhongli
The park is at 6-8, Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Wujie Township. Nearby options include the Zhongxing Cultural Park/Sijie bus stop and Zhongli railway station, written 中里. This is not Taoyuan’s 中壢 station, despite the similar English spelling.
If using a local train and walking, check the actual stopping service and pedestrian route to the entrance. Straight-line map distances are not walking distances. 中里 station is unstaffed and cannot provide station assistance. Travellers needing assistance, or planning a late return, may find Luodong station plus a prearranged taxi simpler.
The Taipei–Yilan/Luodong guide covers the intercity leg; the Yilan transport guide helps with local connections. A 22:00 lights-off time does not imply transport runs until then.
FAQ
Did the 2025 tree finish on Christmas Day?
It was extended, together with the exhibition, to January 4, 2026.
Could visitors see both the tree and indoor art on Wednesday?
The historical arrangement kept outdoor illumination operating but closed the indoor exhibition.
Did extension-weekend markets stay open until 20:00 on Saturdays?
No. Their published hours were 10:00–18:00.
Will the same artworks return in late 2026?
That has not been announced. Compare the Yilan Christmas guide and use the next season’s actual programme.