Preview of the colorful main lantern at the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival trial lighting
Last updated 2026-09-24 — The "2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival" is being held in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou for the first time. The 10-day spectacular lantern event will take place from February 14 to 23, with a trial lighting rehearsal of the "Main Lantern Area" scheduled for February 13. Starting at 15:00 that afternoon, mini lanterns in the shape of "super cute horses" will be given out at the venue, and a grand rehearsal event will begin at 17:45, featuring performances by well-known groups such as the Nantou Bunun Cultural Association, Nantou Ethnic Dance Troupe, Atayal Traditional Performing Arts Troupe, Ten Drums Art Percussion Group, and Ju Percussion Group. The tallest main lantern in history, "Dragon Steed Soaring," will also have its first trial lighting at 19:00, accompanied by a dazzling 3-minute fireworks display. The public is welcome to come early on February 13 to experience the festive atmosphere.
The "2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival" is being held in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou for the first time. The 10-day spectacular lantern event will take place from February 14 to 23, with a trial lighting rehearsal of the "Main Lantern Area" scheduled for February 13. Starting at 15:00 that afternoon, mini lanterns in the shape of "super cute horses" will be given out at the venue, and a grand rehearsal event will begin at 17:45, featuring performances by well-known groups such as the Nantou Bunun Cultural Association, Nantou Ethnic Dance Troupe, Atayal Traditional Performing Arts Troupe, Ten Drums Art Percussion Group, and Ju Percussion Group. The tallest main lantern in history, "Dragon Steed Soaring," will also have its first trial lighting at 19:00, accompanied by a dazzling 3-minute fireworks display. The public is welcome to come early on February 13 to experience the festive atmosphere.
The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival will kick off tomorrow (14th). (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The 25th edition of the "Taiwan Lantern Festival" is themed "Love for the Earth, Heart of Taiwan." The "Main Lantern Area" is centered around the large field of Zhongxing Auditorium, extending to the "North Lantern Area" at the Provincial Government Roundabout and the "South Lantern Area" at the Taipei Arena, all connected via the "Green Tunnel" along Guanghua Road and Guangrong North Road. This integrates Zhongxing New Village with the Taiwan Lantern Festival, allowing visitors to easily "enjoy the greenery by day and explore the lanterns by night."
The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival will hold rehearsals and trial lightings today. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The much-anticipated main lantern in the "Main Lantern Area," "Dragon Steed Soaring," stands an impressive 23 meters tall, the tallest in the festival’s history. It is designed around the ancient swift and sure-footed horse breed "Yanqi Horse," depicted as galloping atop Yushan Mountain. With a focus on "all-optical technology," "technological innovation," and "green energy and environmental protection," the lantern features over 200,000 LED bulbs to create a dazzling visual spectacle. Surrounding it are three auxiliary lanterns: "Rare Birds in Splendid Competition," "Prosperity, Fortune, and Health," and "Taiwan Cool Bear." Among them, "Taiwan Cool Bear" features a Taiwanese black bear as its protagonist for the first time, dressed in a high-tech suit with a dynamic mask, showcasing the diverse and rich characteristics of the auxiliary lanterns.
This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival lantern artwork—Rare Birds in Splendid Competition. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
To create a warm welcoming atmosphere, three welcome lantern areas—"Fortune Prosperity Gate," "Wealth Life Gate," and "Splendid Art Gate"—have been set up at key locations. The "Fortune Prosperity Gate" features a giant pineapple ingot-shaped treasure basin to welcome golden prosperity and good fortune year after year. For the first time, inspired by Nantou’s King Lychee, a "Prayer Lantern Forest" — Fuli (Lychee) Lily — has been created, with prayer lanterns hung to form plum blossoms symbolizing the arrival of spring and good news, as well as lilies representing harmony and happiness, allowing blessings and joy to bloom across the land. As this year’s Lantern Festival coincides with Valentine’s Day on February 14, the "Love You Forever" lantern area has been decorated with heart-shaped and Western love god Cupid-themed lanterns for the first time, presenting a modern romantic ambiance different from previous years.
This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival lantern artwork—Taiwan Cool Bear. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The Taiwan Lantern Festival has planned comprehensive transportation and shuttle services. The public is welcome to embrace public transport for a hassle-free trip. From 14:00 on weekdays (10:00 on holidays), visitors can take free shuttle buses (running approximately every 5–15 minutes) from "Taichung High-Speed Rail Station," "Taiwan Railway’s Xinyi Station," "Taiwan Railway’s Yuanlin Station," or "Taichung Tiger City Shopping Mall" to reach the "North Lantern Area" (North Transfer Station), then walk or transfer to the "free intra-area shuttle bus" (running about every 10 minutes) to visit the "Main Lantern Area." For those driving, please follow the rule: “Go to see the lanterns via Highway 2, return via Highway 1, head south via Caotun, and go north via Mianjian.” After parking at one of the seven free parking lots surrounding the lantern festival, transfer to the shuttle buses to reach the exhibition area. For detailed event information, please visit the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival official website (http://www.taiwan.net.tw/2014taiwanlantern/) or download the “2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival APP” to access maps, guides, event introductions, parking updates, and more.
● Further Reading:
[Art & Culture Thursday] Xinzhu Lantern Festival Welcomes the Sky-Weaving Pre-Festival Ritual, Japanese Nebuta Dragon King Giant Lantern Reappears
www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=9612
The giant pineapple ingot-shaped "Fortune Prosperity Gate." (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-38732
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines