The Kaohsiung Qishan Lantern Festival kicks off on the 14th—enjoy food, fun, lanterns, and flower seas all in one!

▲ The lighting ceremony for the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will take place on February 14. (Photo / Screenshot from the Kaohsiung City Government website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2015 Kaohsiung Qishan Lantern Festival officially begins on February 14. In addition to setting up various lantern displays along major roads and areas in Qishan as in previous years, this year also incorporates the characteristics of the nine districts of Qimei into street lanterns, showcases themed character models, and collaborates with the agricultural mascot "Tongtong" to bring joy to the New Year celebrations.

The opening lighting event will be held at 6 PM on the 14th, with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu officiating the ceremony, ushering in a series of lantern festival activities. The Huazhong Street area will feature the “Art & Gourmet Wonderland” food zone, offering a variety of novel snacks and local specialties. Selected main roads in the district will also be planted with floral arrangements, such as Nanliao Lane, Gaotan Area, and Yanping 1st Road, allowing visitors to experience the joy of a flowery New Year. Other activities include the New Year’s Street Parade, “Pigs Returning Home,” and the i-center-style “All-Know-Show,” inviting the public to join in and enjoy a unique Qishan New Year atmosphere.

▲ Traffic information for the 2015 Qishan Lantern Festival. (Photo / Screenshot from the Kaohsiung City Government website)

2015 Qishan Lantern Festival Lantern Zones
Five Major Lantern Zones (Bridge Lantern Zone, Entrance Concept Zone, Tree Lantern Zone, Street Lantern Zone, Qimei Tongtong Concept Zone)
※ Bridge Lantern Zone: Lantern display on the New Qimei Tail Bridge.
※ Entrance Concept Zone: Next to CKS Electronics (at the intersection of New Qimei Tail Bridge and Zhonghua Road, the intersection of Zhonghua Road and Huazhong Street, and the intersection of Qijia 1st Road and Yanping 1st Road near Qishan District’s Gushan Elementary School).
※ Tree Lantern Zone: Huazhong Street area (from Zhonghua Road to the intersection with Yanping 1st Road), Zhonghua Road area (from the Huazhong Street intersection to the Yanping 1st Road intersection), and the area around Xizhou Kunzhou Temple.
※ Street Lantern Zone: Zhongshan Road area (from the train station to the Pinghe Street intersection), and the stone arches around Qishan Martial Arts Hall.
※ Qimei Tongtong Concept Zone: (in front of Qishan Confucius Temple plaza) Display of Qimei nine-district mascot characters and the Tongtong agricultural mascot exhibition area.

Surrounding Event Items and Schedule

1. Qishan Lantern Festival Lighting Ceremony Gala
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu will officiate the lighting ceremony. Coinciding with Valentine’s Day, it brings a joyful lighting experience to the public!
Time: 6:00 PM on February 14, 2015 (Year 104).

2. “Sheep Overflow Happiness” New Year’s Street Parade
Daguang Lightning COSPLAY performers, themed character puppets, and community groups will come together to celebrate the New Year in high spirits!
Time: February 19–20, 2015 (14:00–15:00).

3. Art & Gourmet Wonderland Food Zone
A combination of specialty foods, folk performances, and art markets—food, fun, and entertainment all in one!
February 18–23, 2015.

4. i-center-style “All-Know-Show”
Got questions about the lantern festival? Visit the Information Booth—they know all about food, fun, and everything else!
Time: February 18–23, 2015.

5. “Pigs Returning Home” and “Double the Fun”
Bring back the fortune pig given out at last year’s Qishan Lantern Festival, and receive a red piggy bank blessed by Qishan Tianhou Temple for free—containing NT$20 lucky coins—to wish everyone a prosperous and fortunate new year!
Time: February 19–20, 2015.

6. Blossoming Qishan, A City of Happiness
Lavishly planted with floral arrangements, cosmos and scarlet sage will bring a festive and joyful New Year to the public!
Date: February 14, 2015 ~ March 8, 2015.

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