Super-popular "Angry Birds" hot air balloon  Soar over the East Rift Valley

▲ The super-popular Angry Birds hot air balloon soared over the East Rift Valley today！(Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government)

Reported by Chen Ziyin / Taipei

In the past, hot air balloon events in Taiwan, due to weather and various technical factors, only offered tethered flights at fixed locations. But this year, the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival introduced a new "free flight" experience, giving visitors the chance to fly over the East Rift Valley and take in the breathtaking scenery of eastern Taiwan. Yesterday (the 15th), after weather conditions in the Taitung area were finally deemed stable, the first group of participants took to the skies in the "free flight" hot air balloons, setting a historic record for hot air ballooning in Taiwan.

Hot air balloon events often face challenges such as unstable weather and high humidity, making it difficult to take off and fly. As a result, this year’s free flight event in Taitung has garnered even more attention, with hot air balloon enthusiasts eagerly looking forward to soaring in the colorful balloons. In addition to the successful "passenger flights" yesterday, today’s highly anticipated Angry Birds-shaped hot air balloon also took off in the afternoon after the weather cleared up. The immense popularity of the Angry Birds balloon makes it the most exciting attraction of this year’s Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival. Visitors can also take off from Luye in the Angry Birds balloon, flying over the valley for 30 to 45 minutes.


▲ The free flight hot air balloon activity offers stunning aerial views of the picturesque countryside of eastern Taiwan. (Photo / Courtesy of the Taitung International Hot Air Balloon Festival website)

The "hot air balloon free flight aerial tour" at this year’s Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival has been hailed by pilots from around the world as the "most scenic" flight. Flights take off daily at 5 AM, though times may be adjusted depending on weather conditions. Reservations are made by phone, and the cost is NT$8,000. Additionally, tethered hot air balloon activities will also be held at the Dafongdafu Plain Forest Park in Hualien and at Kaohsiung’s Chengcing Lake, allowing visitors to choose a location based on their regional preferences.

【Event Information】
2013 Hualien Soaring Season International Hot Air Balloon Event
Event Period: June 22, 2013 to September 1, 2013
Hot air balloon flight sessions: Morning sessions from 6:00 to 8:00 AM; Afternoon sessions from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Event Location: Dafongdafu Plain Forest Park, Guangfu Township
Flight Cost: NT$500 per person per ride; NT$200 per person per ride for local Hualien residents

2013 Kaohsiung Take Off City Hot Air Balloon Festival
Event Period: July 6, 2013 to August 11, 2013
Hot air balloon flight sessions: Morning sessions from 6:00 to 8:00 AM; Afternoon sessions from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Event Location: Dafongdafu Plain Forest Park, Guangfu Township
Flight Cost: NT$500 per person per ride