Pingxi Mini Trip Essay / Even Koreans Love Releasing Sky Lanterns – Friendship Lights Rise Gently

Text and Photos / Xiao Can

Whenever meeting up with friends, it’s usually at a café in the city, having afternoon tea and chatting about this and that. However, earlier this year, we spontaneously decided to go on a “mini trip” that immerses us in nature – the hottest trend right now. So, we chose Pingxi, a serene spot away from the hustle and bustle, a place rich in culture and human warmth, the perfect opportunity to quiet our hearts.

Departing from Taipei Main Station, we took the Tze-Chiang Limited Express, transferred to the Pingxi Line train at Ruifang, and along the way, what mattered most to us was the rare reunion of the three of us. We laughed and chatted the whole journey, ensuring the beautiful scenery was accompanied by joy.

Upon arriving in Pingxi, nestled between mountains and water, “releasing sky lanterns” is undoubtedly the “must-do activity” when visiting Pingxi, and also our primary goal for this mini trip. We first headed to Shifen, where the tracks are lined with various shops, and the bustling crowd on the tracks is the most spectacular sight at Shifen Station. My friends and I, of course, also “stepped onto the tracks and created memories.” Sky lanterns can also be released in Shifen, and the most memorable moment was seeing a group of Koreans writing their wishes on their respective lanterns. Their expressions full of curiosity and amazement were truly touching. “The sky lanterns of Pingxi are indeed an indispensable part of Taiwanese culture.”

As the sky gradually darkened, we hurried to Pingxi Station, quickly found a shop selling sky lanterns, and earnestly wrote down our hopes. The three of us together let our wishes soar into the sky, symbolizing the loftiness and enduring nature of our friendship.

When it comes to mini trips, everyone seeks something different. On this trip, although we didn’t document much of Pingxi’s landscapes, we captured something far more precious – beautiful memories of friendship. Watching the sky lanterns rise gently, the pressures in our hearts were covered by hope. This Pingxi trip, with its tracks walked, delicious food eaten, photos taken, and sky lanterns released, truly opened our hearts. Compared to our usual urban life, it finally gained extraordinary meaning.

Letting go of worries, we continued walking along the tracks, following the sky lanterns as they soared toward our dreams.