Pingxi Mini Trip Essay / The Whole Town Is My Wish!

Text & Photos / Lan Xinyu

The train slowly passes through a quiet little village, heading toward the wishing path.


How many dreams does a train carry?


Two years ago, due to a school internship, I started working in a place not far from Pingxi.
Tourists would ask: What’s fun to do in Pingxi?
As a newcomer, I could only explain based on suggestions from printed materials and had never been to Pingxi myself.
By chance, I got the opportunity to visit the Pingxi Line!
Once I went, I couldn’t stop going!
Over these two years, I’ve visited Pingxi District five times, and my wishes have changed along with the surroundings!
You don’t have to take the train on the Pingxi Line—sometimes walking leads to unexpected discoveries!

How much hope does one sky lantern carry? What would you most like to write on a short wishing bamboo tube?
When I was interning, I wished that my whole class could pass the internship together and graduate together.

When I went with my family, I wished for everyone to have smooth careers and progress in their exams.

While writing wishes, I could hear the shop owner explaining in English, Japanese, and Korean to tourists,
The messages on the sky lanterns were no longer just in Chinese but written in languages from all over the world,
Simple words, yet deeply moving……

Pingxi District isn’t just about sky lanterns—it’s also a filming location for many idol dramas and commercials.
Having stomach issues? Then you can check out Pingxi Guesthouse!


Try running down Zhang○Ya Boulevard—maybe someone will invite you home for dinner?


Walking on the tracks in front of Jingting Station, is there someone special by your side?


The most well-known way to travel in Pingxi is by train, but sometimes you can take each step on foot to the next attraction.
On the journey from Pingxi to Jingting, skip the train; choose your feet.
In this short 20-minute trip, you’ll unexpectedly discover scenery you wouldn’t see from the train.

The touching moments in travel are finding many birds on the power lines or seeing two cats cuddling on the tracks



Or you might uncover tiny, lesser-known stories of the Pingxi Line.


I once overheard a woman from Taipei at work say: “What’s there to do in New Taipei City? I only hang out in Taipei and have never been to New Taipei.”
Now I can say loud and clear: New Taipei City is more fun than you think!

Shifen boasts the grand waterfall known as Taiwan’s Niagara Falls.


Jingtong has one of the few wooden train stations in Taiwan

Zhifen, Pingxi, and Jingtong are all located in Pingxi District, New Taipei City,
Small but perfectly formed,
it offers a must-visit festival—the “Sky Lantern Festival”; boasts the largest waterfall in Taiwan, “Zhifen Waterfall”; and features an ancient wooden train station, “Jingtong Station.”
A short trip, yet filled with big emotions.

 Recall every small trip to Pingxi—didn’t each leave a unique ripple in your heart? Do you still remember the wishes written on those sky lanterns?
Turn your thoughts into words. Write your own story.

Pingxi Travel Writing Contest