In Fenglin, a small town in Taiwan, snails are (slowly) helping to rebuild its economy after a rough 2024 earthquake.

In the wake of the disaster, the community set up snail races in order to bring back some of the tourism that was lost. The accessible, low stakes style has allowed many to participate throughout the area, with some driving upwards of five hours to attend. “We thought that our event could attract people, and that would be a small help,” the event organizer Cheng Jenshou said.

The event has been run three years in a row as of 2026, and has attracted a mix of residents and tourists alike since the earthquake, when many left in fear of another seismic event. “The earthquake two years ago had a relatively big impact on tourism because people are worried an earthquake may happen again,” 32-year-old resident Hsu Lu said. “Many people have left Hualien because of earthquakes.”

The races are structured around the shape of a circle: the snails racing are placed in the center and the first to leave the shape is declared the victor, placed on the adequately snail sized wooden stage, and receives a prize meal of organic sweet potato leaves. Those who win get to move on to the final race, in which the fastest snails compete.

Even though snail racing has been a part of Fenglin’s culture for only three years, some have already become regulars. 70-year-old Li Cheng Weng has participated in multiple competitions, and ensures his snails are up to snuff, first catching the snails in his garden, then showering them and feeding them daily on diets of bananas, papaya, and leafy greens. “As to the criteria for choosing snails for the race, I usually select those that are very active and pleasing to the eye,” Li said.

Even if some may not be interested in living in Fenglin, many are attracted to the idea of a slower town, where life does not need to be in a hurry. “I think for travel or a trip, it’s a great choice,” university student Tanya Liu said. “But maybe living here would not really be my dream choice.”