By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported
The 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Lukang, Changhua, featured a parade of 24 theme park mascots and a grand lantern lighting ceremony on Lantern Festival Day. From today (Feb 7) to Feb 19, visitors can continue to enjoy creative lantern displays from nine theme parks in the “Happy Light Zone,” including Miniature Land, Janfusun Fancyworld, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Leofoo Village Theme Park, Shoufeng Forest Recreation Farm, West Lake Resort, Formosa Fun Coast, Doraemon Science Theme Park, and Atayal Resort. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, there will also be performances by the parks’ mascots. On weekdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (and until 9:00 pm on holidays), hosts will lead fun quizzes and give out prizes, creating a delightful lantern festival evening for all.
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The main lantern “Dragon Soaring Amidst Clouds” lights up every night at 7:00 pm, with a light show every half hour. (Photo provided by Changhua County -)
Additionally, the Happy Light Zone, the intersection of Jianguo Road and Zhongzheng Road, and Longshan Temple and Wenchang Temple will distribute free “Majestic Dragon” mini lanterns daily starting at 3:00 pm, one per person while supplies last. To encourage the use of public transportation during the Taiwan Lantern Festival, the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Lukang Line offers free shuttle services. Passengers can board at Taichung HSR Station, Changhua Railway Station, Changhua County -, Cultural Center, and Changhua Railway Station.
The 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival is arguably the largest in scale to date, in terms of main lantern design, exhibition area, performance lineup, attending dignitaries, and participating crowds. Especially exciting was the first-ever appearance of characters from Tokyo Disneyland in Japan at a Taiwanese Lantern Festival, thrilling the crowds.
The lantern festival runs until Feb 19. The main lantern “Dragon Soaring Amidst Clouds” at Lukang Stadium lights up every night at 7:00 pm, with a light show every half hour. Other zones, including the North Light Zone (Lukang Sports Park), Zhongshan Road Charm Light Zone (Tianhou Temple, Guild Hall, Longshan Temple, Folklore Museum), and South Light Zone (Wenchang Temple, Huguan Temple, Ksitigarbha Temple), offer not only dazzling lanterns but also exciting activities. Visitors can check the relevant information by downloading from the Changhua County - “Chang Lantern Festival Color” section at 2012taiwanlantern.net/download.php.