New Taipei’s Glorious Tung Blossom Festival: 50 Free Sky Lanterns Released Monthly

The “Glorious Tung Blossom Festival—Monthly Sky Lantern Releases” event will offer 50 free 4-foot sky lanterns per session, with colored markers available on-site for writing wishes. The completed lanterns will be assisted in release by staff for blessings.Monthly sessions are scheduled for March 16, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, and December 14—10 sessions in total—held on the second Sunday of each month, with check-in times between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the day of the event.

 

The Tourism Bureau stated that the Keelung-Fulong Highway, connecting Keelung to Fulong, is expected to open in May. Before its opening,the first two sky lantern experience sessions on March 16 and April 13 will be held at the Shiding Visitor Center. From May onward, all other sessions will take place at the Pingxi Substation.During the sky lantern release experience, each lantern must be released with the accompaniment of 2–3 adults. Those who fail to check in on the day will be considered to have forfeited their spot and will be replaced by other visitors on-site.

In addition, to showcase the youthful energy and enthusiasm of local students and cultural arts groups, the Tourism Bureau will also hostthe “Shiding Talent Show—Monthly Highlights” event on the fourth Sunday of each month from March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, and October 26, between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM at the Shiding Visitor Center.Local cultural arts groups and teachers and students from elementary and secondary schools in Pingxi—including Pingxi Junior High, Shiding Elementary, Jingting Elementary, Pingxi Elementary, and the local group “Black Gold Years” dance troupe—will perform lively sky lantern dances, dragon and lion dances, and various instrumental music acts.

 

The Tourism Bureau also noted that visitors wishing to visit the Pingxi Substation and Shiding Visitor Center to experience sky lantern releases can transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line train at Badu or Ruifang Train Station, and directly purchase the “Pingxi One-Day Pass” (full fare NT$52, half fare NT$28) to enjoy unlimited rides on the Pingxi Branch Line for the day. Visitors should get off at Jingting Train Station and walk toward the old street entrance, or drive from National Freeway No. 2, exit at Shiding Interchange, turn onto Route 106 toward Jingting Old Street; or take a bus from MRT Maozhai Station and transfer to Taipei Bus 795 or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Maozhai to Pingxi” to Jingting Station to reach the sky lantern substation.