3.5-meter-tall "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" giant lantern to return for Lantern Festival in Hsinpu, Hsinchu

▲ The massive "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" lantern, which made a huge impact when it debuted at the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Hsinchu County, will return this Lantern Festival. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu County Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The massiveSleeping Dragon King of Aomorilantern, which caused a sensation at last year's (2013) Taiwan Lantern Festival and boasts over 250 years of history in Japan, will make another appearance on February 14 and 15 this year in Hsinpu Township, Hsinchu County.

The event "Hsinpu Lanterns Welcome the Heavenly Maiden — Return of the Sleeping Dragon King," which combines Hakka traditions, will once again take place in Hsinpu Township, Hsinchu County. The 3.5-meter-tall, 8-meter-wide, and 3-meter-deep "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" lantern, regarded as an important intangible cultural asset in Japan, is currently undergoing restoration. Hsinchu County Magistrate Chiu Ching-chun visited the site today to check on the progress of the lantern’s repairs and to offer support to the workers.

Chiu Ching-chun stated that the festival will showcase the theme "Sky Lanterns in the North, Beehive Rockets in the South, and Movable Lanterns in Hsinpu." The "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" will first be displayed statically at Hsinpu Elementary School on February 14, then join a street parade in front of Guanghe Temple in Hsinpu Township on February 15. In addition to the giant dragon lantern, other displays will include a Maitreya Buddha lantern, a Heavenly Maiden lantern, and a Hakka Martyrs’ lantern. Around 100 performance groups, including brass bands, flag teams, and indigenous dance troupes, will also celebrate the folk festival.

▲ The "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" lantern currently undergoing restoration. (Photo / Provided by Hsinchu County Government)

The father-and-son team of Liu Hsing-hsing and Liu Pao-chih, owners of a traditional handicraft shop in Hsinpu, are responsible for crafting and restoring the lanterns this year. Project supervisor Liu Pao-chih said that the main structure and lighting of the dragon lantern have been completed, and that paper-mache work and painting will be intensified during the holiday period. He expressed confidence in presenting a vibrant and colorful lantern display to the public.

The street parade of the "Sleeping Dragon King of Aomori" lantern is scheduled to officially begin at 6:00 p.m. on February 15. The parade route will follow Zhongzheng Road and Tianxin Road in Hsinpu Township. The public is welcome to come and enjoy the event.