Taitung hot air balloons take off!“Fly over the city” plan falls through, only tethered flights available

▲ The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival kicked off in full swing; the original “fly over the city” plan was canceled today (1st) due to wind direction. (Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government)

Travel Center / Taipei Report

The 2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, organized by Taitung County Government, has officially kicked off. Today (1st), the county government had applied for a “Hot Air Balloon Fly Over Taitung City” event in the early morning, but it was canceled due to wind direction. However, the tethered balloon display and experience were still carried out, much to the delight of visitors who eagerly took photos and videos. County Magistrate Huang Jianting expressed hope that the plan could be realized in the future.

At 5 a.m. this morning, Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jianting and his wife, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Bureau Liu Xilin, Taitung County Government Tourism Section Chief Chen Shuhui, as well as many employees and members of this year’s balloon sponsors, gathered at the Taitung Chihhang Airbase, hoping to witness Taiwan’s first-ever colorful hot air balloons slowly flying over the city—a historic moment. However, after wind direction tests by air force and balloon flight control personnel, a southern wind was detected, making flight impossible. This left everyone somewhat disappointed. Although history wasn’t made, 10 hot air balloons still took off on the south runway grass field of Chihhang Base.


▲ Families flocked to enjoy the hot air balloon experience on the first day. (Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government)

After a 7-minute tethered ascent and descent, Deputy Director of the Tourism Bureau Liu Xilin said it was his first time riding a hot air balloon, and the experience was very comfortable. From above, he could see the full view of Chihhang Base, the Pacific Ocean, and Taitung City—it was truly beautiful.

What’s special this year is that besides the stationary tethered experience, Taiwan’s first-ever “free flight” aerial tour service has been launched, allowing people to effortlessly glide with the wind and admire the unique beauty of the Huatung Valley. Some children, after experiencing a tethered hot air balloon ride, excitedly said, “It was so comfortable up there, not scary at all. We saw the Pacific Ocean, the road, the China Bridge, and other balloons. We want to ride again next time.”

 For more details, please visit the official website of the 2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival.