Taitung Hot Air Balloon Free Flights All Year Round; Hualien and Sun Moon Lake Events to Launch in July

▲ Taitung's "2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta" will offer its free flight experience all year this year. (Photo / Provided by the organizer)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The annual "2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta" will launch first in Luye, Taitung, starting May 30th. In addition to the return of the Black Knight hot air balloon, the organizers have announced that the "Hot Air Balloon Free Flight" experience will begin on June 14th and continue for a full year. Meanwhile, events such as the "Hualien Soaring Season" hot air balloon activities and the Sun Moon Lake Hot Air Balloon Park will also launch successively during the summer vacation.

Already ranked among the world’s top ten hot air balloon events and attracting nearly one million visitors each year,the "Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta"will once again host the "Hot Air Balloon Free Flight" experience from June 14th. To allow more visitors the chance to take to the skies, enjoying a 360-degree panoramic view of Eastern Taiwan’s mountains, sea, and countryside from 5,000 feet above ground, the number of balloons available for free flights has increased to four this year. As long as weather permits, the experience will continue year-round, meaning visitors won’t be limited to the festival period and can enjoy aerial flights any time of the year, making this a unique travel experience exclusive to Taitung.

Each "Hot Air Balloon Free Flight" session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes, with each ticket priced at NT$8,000. Only 24 spots are available per day, and online reservations opened at 12:30 PM on May 15th.Online bookingis available via the"2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta" official event websiteorits official Facebook page.For more details, please visit either.

▲ Last year’s eye-catching Black Knight hot air balloon will make a comeback this year. (Photo / From theTaiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Facebook page))

For those who just want to try a hot air balloon ride, the NT$500 "Hot Air Balloon Tethered Flight" experience is also a great option. With the number of certified hot air balloons increasing from five to nine, along with more licensed Taiwanese pilots and participation from about ten countries’ balloons, the number of tethered balloons available this year has reached a record high. At least seven balloons will take off daily, with each session lasting 5–7 minutes. Additionally, there’s an on-site “walk-in hot air balloon” activity where visitors can step inside a balloon during its cold inflation process to see what’s inside.

Hualien Soaring Season

Also well-known for its hot air balloon events, the "Hualien Soaring Season" will move to the Fenglin Township Environmental Technology Parkfrom July 5th to August 9th. During the event, tethered balloon rides will be offered daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with eight or more balloons available. The event is also expected to feature paragliding and ultralight aircraft activities.Launched, during the event period, from 6 AM to 8 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM each day, more than eight “hot air balloon tethered flight” experiences will be offered, with paragliding and ultralight aircraft activities also expected on-site.

▲ The "Hot Air Balloon Tethered Flight" experience at the Sun Moon Lake Hot Air Balloon Park has the longest operating hours in Taiwan. (Photo / From theJindouyun Hot Air Balloon Facebook page))

Sun Moon Lake Hot Air Balloon

The "Jindouyun Hot Air Balloon Park" in Sun Moon Lake, which began operations earlier this year, currently offers "Hot Air Balloon Tethered Flight" services only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. However, during the summer vacation from July to August, it will operate every day. Each tethered flight lasts about 5 to 8 minutes, making it the longest such experience available in Taiwan. The park also offers an early-bird discount—tickets purchased before 7:30 AM are available for NT$399, with boarding times assigned according to the number on your ticket. The park also recommends that visitors interested in both a hot air balloon ride and a boat tour of Sun Moon Lake consider the NT$699 combo ticket, which includes a boat ticket. After the balloon ride, visitors can head to the Shuishe Pier, about 2 kilometers away, to enjoy a different perspective of Sun Moon Lake from the water.“Jindouyun Hot Air Balloon Park”, currently only offers “tethered hot air balloon” rides on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. During the summer vacation from July to August, rides will be available daily. Each ride lasts approximately 5 to 8 minutes, making it the longest tethered experience available in Taiwan. The park also offers an early bird discount — tickets purchased before 7:30 AM are available at a special price of NT$399, with boarding times assigned according to the number given when purchasing. The park also recommends that visitors who wish to enjoy both a hot air balloon ride and a boat tour of Sun Moon Lake can purchase a combo ticket for NT$699, which includes one boat ticket. After the balloon ride, visitors can head to the Shuishe Pier, about 2 kilometers away, for a boat ride to experience the unique charm of Sun Moon Lake from both the sky and the sea.