The Kaohsiung Qishan Lantern Festival kicks off on the 25th — Taiwan’s largest 12-foot red lantern shines bright

▲ The main lantern of this year’s Qishan Lantern Festival is a massive 12-meter-high red lantern, touted as the largest in Taiwan. The photo shows the test lighting on the evening of the 24th. (Photo / fromthe “2014 Qishan Lantern Festival” Facebook fan page, the same below)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

This year, Kaohsiung City has transformed itself into one giant lantern festival, featuring no fewer than three major lantern displays across the city, each with its own unique charm. Leading the way is the “Qishan Lantern Festival,” which debuts on the 25th in Qishan District. The Qishan District Office has specially created a four-story-tall giant red lantern, which will be on display at Qishan Stadium during the festival period.

This year’s Qishan Lantern Festival embraces a strong traditional vibe. Instead of displaying a variety of cute, creatively designed lanterns, it returns to tradition by lining a long lantern bridge with simple round lanterns. The Qishan District Office has also specially crafted Taiwan’s largest red lantern this year, standing an impressive 12 meters tall — so large that a crane was required for assembly. The giant lantern was erected in front of Qishan Gymnasium yesterday evening.

The Qishan District Office stated that the large red lantern, named “Happiness Lantern,” draws inspiration from last year’s (2013) yellow rubber duck displayed at Glory Pier. Kaohsiung’s duck was the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. Although the lantern isn’t as big as the 18-meter duck, it is still considered the largest lantern in Taiwan to date. There is also another 10-meter-tall lantern in the shape of Mazu, located at Qishan Bridgehead, sponsored by the Qishan Tianhou Temple.

The event is set to launch on the 25th of the month. In addition to the 12-foot red lantern, there will also be a “sea of lanterns” along the route (left photo), and a 10-foot-tall Mazu-shaped lantern sponsored by the Qishan Tianhou Temple (right photo).

Additionally, the Qishan District Office mentioned that besides lantern viewing, this year also features the “Bring the Little Pig Home” event. Last year during the Qishan Lantern Festival, the Qishan Tianhou Temple gave out 500 little piggy banks. Those who received one can bring their old piggy bank back to the temple and exchange it for a larger piggy bank to take home.

The “2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Arts Festival” will kick off with the Qishan Lantern Festival, running grandly from the 25th to February 15th. Along the route from Qwei Bridge, Huazhong Street, Qishan Old Street to Qishan Stadium, visitors can enjoy a beautiful sea of lights. For event details, please visitthe “2014 Qishan Lantern Festival Fan Page”for more information.