Text by MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
This summer, the skies are bustling with activity not only in Taitung, where the International Hot Air Balloon Festival is being held, and in Kaohsiung, where the Chengcing Lake Urban Hot Air Balloon event is taking place, but also in Hualien. The region will not be left behind as it hosts the “2013 International Hot Air Balloon Hualien Soaring Season” from June 22 to September 1 at the Dafengdafu Plain Forest Park in Guangfu Township. This 72-day soaring season event will kick off with a lively opening ceremony featuring 15 hot air balloons on June 22 and 23. On the afternoon of June 22 from 17:00 to 19:00 and the morning of June 23 from 06:00 to 08:00, the public can enjoy free experiences. In addition to tethered hot air balloon rides, there will also be free flight performances. Visitors can take helicopter tours for aerial views, watch light aircraft performance shows, and even take part in activities like paragliding to light up Hualien’s skyline.
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Hualien County will hold the “2013 International Hot Air Balloon Hualien Soaring Season” on the 22nd, joining Taitung and Kaohsiung in the summer battle to attract hot air balloon enthusiasts. (Photo provided by Hualien County-)
The hot air balloon ride experience lasts five minutes and costs NT$500. Balloons are launched twice daily, from 05:30 to 07:30 in the early morning and from 16:00 to 18:00 in the evening. The park also features a hot air balloon flight pavilion integrating digital imaging technology, as well as a family-friendly water play area, a park train, ox-cart rides, and rural horseback riding activities. These aim to offer visitors from all over the chance to rediscover this beautiful pearl of the East Rift Valley from a breathtaking 360-degree aerial perspective. With ample opportunities for recreation in the park and immersion in the beautiful natural environment of the valley, visitors are sure to find new inspiration.
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As night falls, hot air balloon light shows present sights rarely seen during the day. (Photo provided by Hualien County-)
Once the Hualien Soaring Season officially begins, visitors can take time to explore nearby attractions around central Hualien. Guangfu Township itself boasts an old sugar factory, wetland ecological parks, and Taiwan’s largest indigenous tribal villages, such as TaiBa and MaTaLuan. To the north, Fenglin Township is a Hakka stronghold, with the Hakka Cultural Museum and tobacco barns offering opportunities for deep cultural exploration. To the south, Ruisui Township provides leisure activities such as hot springs, dairy farming, and rafting. Further south in Yuli and Fuli, visitors can admire vast fields of golden daylilies. Hualien’s diverse summer offerings are sure to meet the varied travel needs of all visitors.
● Read more: Kaohsiung Hot Air Balloon Carnival Kicks Off at Chengcing Lake on July 6
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