How a small Taiwanese town uses slow snail races to bounce back

Fenglin, a quiet town in Taiwan, has found an unusual way to draw visitors back after a damaging earthquake in 2024. Instead of flashy attractions, it leans into its reputation as a "slow city" with snail races. The idea isn’t to go fast, but to go slow—literally. Since joining the Cittaslow network over a decade ago, Fenglin has embraced a relaxed lifestyle, even using a snail as its symbol. That slow, steady approach might seem odd for tourism, but after natural disasters scared off travelers, the town needed something simple yet memorable. The first snail race in 2024 was meant to be a small gesture to cheer up visitors and locals alike. A year later, it became a tradition. This year’s event drew a mix of residents and curious tourists, including a family who drove five hours just to watch a giant snail named Aquaman crawl across a table. The rules were easy: first snail to reach the edge wins. Speed didn’t matter as much as consistency—something Fenglin knows a lot about, given its aging population and shrinking size.Among the competitors was Brother Snail, a veteran racer that had already won a race in 2024. Its owner, Tanya Lin, had raised it carefully, feeding it organic leaves and keeping it clean. Brother Snail’s win this year—crossing a 33cm table in just over three minutes—showed that patience pays off. Not all snails were winners, though. Aquaman, despite being much bigger, moved at its own pace, reminding everyone that not every race is about speed. Beyond the races, Fenglin promotes a slower way of life through e-bike tours past old tobacco barns and colonial buildings. Some young visitors, like two students who came from nearby Hualien, enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere but wouldn’t want to live there full-time. For them, it was a fun escape, not a permanent change. That’s the point—Fenglin offers a break from the rush, even if it’s just for a day.