By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported
The Central Taiwan Lantern Festival kicks off today at the Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City, running for 12 consecutive days. During the festival, visitors can admire the longest main lantern in the history of Taiwan’s Lantern Festivals — the “Cloud Dragon.” With its synchronized light and sound effects and electric lifting system, the entire main lantern appears as if a dragon is soaring through the sky. The international lantern area features themed displays from Hong Kong, Zigong in Sichuan, Xiamen, and other regions, each with its own unique style and well worth seeing. For example, Sichuan’s “Jadeite Cabbage” is crafted based on the palace museum treasure the Jadeite Cabbage; the “Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Vase” lantern stands 18 meters tall and is made up of 500,000 small bottles. When illuminated at night, it shines with dazzling colors. Starting at 6 PM tonight, small Cloud Dragon mini lanterns will also be given out at the lantern zone. Interested visitors are encouraged to arrive early to claim one.
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The Central Taiwan Lantern Festival opens today at the Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City. The main lantern, “Cloud Dragon,” measures 40 meters in length and 15 meters in height, setting a record for the longest main lantern in the history of Taiwan’s Lantern Festivals. (Photo provided by Taichung City)
From 7 PM to 10 PM each evening during the event, a main lantern show will be performed hourly, extended until 11 PM on holidays. In addition to the main lantern shows, the secondary lantern area features several large themed lantern displays, including “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” which embodies the concepts of heaven, earth, and humanity, and “Qilin Bringing Auspiciousness,” symbolizing luck and brightness. Moreover, four dragon-shaped light corridors have been set up at the four entrances of Wenxin Forest Park, each featuring a wishing dragon ball representing “Luck,” “Prosperity,” “Happiness,” and “Joy.” Visitors can personally turn these dragon balls, symbolizing the casting out of misfortune and the ushering in of good fortune.
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Zigong City in Sichuan Province will showcase a giant lantern version of the “Jadeite Cabbage” at this lantern festival, modeled after the national treasure housed in the Palace Museum. (Photo provided by Zigong Lantern Trade Committee)
To accommodate the Lantern Festival activities, 11 parking areas will be set up around Wenxin Forest Park. Additionally, on February 4, 5, 6, 11, and 12, free shuttle buses will operate between Taichung Railway Station and Wenxin Forest Park. The public is encouraged to make use of this service.