Clash of Generations: Hsinchu Lantern Festival Lights Up the Moat on Lantern Festival Night

▲ One of the lantern installations at the Hsinchu Lantern Festival – “Love Abundance.” (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu City Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Exquisitely craftedHsinchu Lantern Festivalkicks off on March 4th ! This year’s lantern displays along the moat of Dongmen Fortress specially blend the craftsmanship of local veteran artisans with the creative concepts of young artists, offering visitors a refreshing experience where tradition meets modernity.

Different from other regional lantern festivals, Hsinchu’s event offers a uniquely romantic ambiance, showcasing delicate glass artworks. The festival area stretches 88 meters, where six local master craftsmen have combined traditional techniques with glass materials to create nine themed art pieces. Among them, the red “Love”-inscribed “Love Abundance” is particularly eye-catching, made up of over 400 glass bulbs.

▲ One of the lantern installations at the Hsinchu Lantern Festival – “Happiness Seating,” symbolizing mutual support and reliance. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu City Government)

Besides the romantic lantern displays, the Hsinchu City Government will also host a Retro Lantern Parade on the evening of March 5th, inviting the public to join the festive walk and pray for peace and happiness for the whole year. In addition, to promote tradition this year, the city has invited Mr. Lin Chen-yan, founding president of the Hsinchu Cultural Volunteers Association, to demonstrate how to make traditional milk can lanterns using materials such as cardboard boxes, bamboo sticks, and candy wrappers. This parent-child activity not only helps adults recall childhood memories but also allows children to unleash their creativity by making unique, eco-friendly traditional lanterns.

▲ Mr. Lin Chen-yan, founding president of the Hsinchu Cultural Volunteers Association, will demonstrate how to make traditional milk can lanterns. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu City Government)

The Hsinchu City Government has also prepared 7,000 round traditional mini lanterns, which will be given out from 5 PM to 7 PM on March 3rd at the service desk on Dongmen Bridge. The public can exchange two purchase receipts from January or February 2015 issued in Hsinchu City for one free mini lantern, with a limit of two lanterns per person. Supplies are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details about the Hsinchu Lantern Festival, please refer tothe Hsinchu City Government website.

2015 Hsinchu Lantern Festival
Event Period: March 4 to March 22
Venue: Dongmen Fortress Moat

Retro Lantern Parade:
Time: 6:30 PM, Thursday, March 5, 2015
Venue: Gathering at the Plaza in front of Hsinchu City Hall
Parade Route: Starting Point: Hsinchu City Hall → Zhongzheng Road → World Street → Culture Street → Central Road → Fuhou Street → Around Dongmen Fortress → Shengli Road → Datong Road → Xinyi Street back to Dongmen Fortress → Dongmen Street (Dongning Temple) → Chenghuang Temple → Zhongshan Road → Hsinchu City Hall
Dress Code: Wear red clothing and carry retro lanterns (such as milk can lanterns, broadswords, etc.)
Contact for Registration: Ms. Hsu Pao-lan, Integrated Marketing Division, Urban Marketing Office, Hsinchu City Government
03-5216121 Ext. 541, 540, 547 or 03-5265604