Thousands of red lanterns adorn Hualien Lantern Festival; 15-meter-tall "Red Duck" joins the fun

▲ The Hualien Spring Festival Lantern Festival kicks off on the 24th with thousands of big red lanterns already hung along major roads throughout the county, creating a festive ambiance. (Photo / Courtesy ofHualien Tourism Official Website Facebook Page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

With Lunar New Year approaching and a strong festive vibe in the air, extravagant lantern festivals will begin in various locations across Taiwan from the eve of the Spring Festival. This year (2014), Hualien’s "Pacific Lantern Festival" will launch on the 24th, with thousands of large red lanterns illuminating the main roads in all 13 townships of Hualien, along with the "Red-faced Duck" and large inflatable characters paired with a laser light show.

The Hualien County Government officially announced on the 21st that the "2014 Pacific Lantern Festival" and the New Year Goods Street will officially begin. The main lantern display areas will be located in the Sixth Redevelopment Zone of Hualien City and at Liyu Lake, featuring a Q-version blue killer whale alongside a laser light show, as well as a 15-meter-tall "Red-faced Duck." Inflated on the 22nd, the duck will be placed on the surface of Liyu Lake, allowing visitors to take photos throughout the festival period.

▲ Hualien Lantern Festival’s 15-meter-tall Q-version Red-faced Duck will be illuminated from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM on January 25 at Liyu Lake. (Photo / Courtesy ofHualien Tourism Official Website)

Throughout the county, major streets have been adorned with large red lanterns, resembling a red carpet stretching across the sky, adding a festive touch to Hualien. The lantern festival will also feature a student lantern area, showcasing 550 hand-painted lanterns and over 100 large and small handmade creative lanterns. Coupled with the New Year Goods Street and the Rainbow Night Market drawing crowds, daily performances including lion and dragon dances, as well as street performances, will make Hualien an exceptionally lively place this Spring Festival. (News Source: Central News Agency)