Christmas tree transforms into "bamboo shoot" – New Taipei City’s fortune landmark welcomes Lunar New Year

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei



 
▲ Santa Claus disappeared for a while, then re-emerged wearing a vibrant traditional Chinese cotton-padded jacket, transforming into the lucky God of Fortune who brings blessings. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)

Since its launch in December last year, the 2012 New Taipei City Happy Christmas City has accompanied everyone through various joyful moments with its ever-evolving appearance – from the cheers at concerts, laughter in the carousel, to the breathless moments capturing the colorful LED Christmas tree. After the Christmas holidays ended, Santa Claus took a short break, then returned wearing a festive Chinese cotton-padded jacket, transforming into the lucky God of Fortune who brings good fortune.

The bamboo shoot landmark has also become a money-attracting fortune tree. Still featuring high-tech LED full-color screen animations representing colors and symbols of the Chinese New Year—such as themes of abundance like “Surplus Year After Year,” “Lucky Lions Presenting Auspiciousness,” and the “Three Stars of Blessing, Prosperity, and Longevity”—the display showcases festive and propitious imagery. Coupled with elements like Spring Festival couplets, firecrackers, ingots symbolizing wealth, and copper coins, the animations keep changing along with lively celebratory music. The civic square in front of New Taipei City Hall has instantly transformed into the festive courtyard of a traditional family reunion home, brimming with Lunar New Year atmosphere. From now until February 24 (the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month), a 3-minute-and-50-second New Year light show will be staged every evening at the top of each hour from 6 PM to 10 PM. Meanwhile, the God of Fortune Santa Claus will also climb a heavenly ladder to reach the top of the 35-meter-high fortune tree, standing high above to share abundant good luck with everyone.