Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival: Red-faced Duck Water Dance Light Show “Full of Charm”

▲The Red-faced Duck lantern at Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival’s Lotus Pond area, paired with a nightly water dance show. (Photo provided by Hualien County Government)

Reported by Chen Ziying / Comprehensive Report

As the Lantern Festival approaches, lantern displays are lighting up cities across the country, and Hualien County’s most popular attraction at Lotus Pond—the “Red-faced Duck” lantern area—has debuted a water dance light show for the first time, presenting a different “duck” charm in the evenings to accompany visitors. The Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival will run until March 15.

Last year’s Red-faced Duck lantern in Hualien was well-received by tourists. This year, it is accompanied by a water dance and light show, with performances every half hour from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM each evening. The Hualien County Government stated that the lantern festival area spans from Hualien Railway Station to the downtown Sanjiao Shopping District. In addition to red lanterns and tree light decorations adorning the main roads of 13 townships, there are also the two main lanterns—a blue killer whale—and five sheep-themed lanterns crafted by inmates from the Ministry of Justice’s Taiwan Taoyuan Prison, Tzuchi Prison, and Hualien Prison. Over 600 student-created lanterns are also on display. This seasonally limited urban light spectacle welcomes visitors.


▲The Blue Killer Whale main lantern at the Hualien Lantern Festival. (Photo provided by Hualien County Government)

The county government further announced that during the event period, a “Magic Sheep Mini Lantern” will be given out nightly at the Sixth Phase Redevelopment Area lantern zone, with a limited quantity of 100 available. Additionally, from now until March 5, 100 DIY lanterns will be available for visitors to paint every evening starting at 7:00 PM.

[2015 Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival]
Dates: Now until March 15 (Sunday)
Locations: Sixth Phase Redevelopment Area, Lotus Pond