【Thursday Arts & Culture】Xinpu Lantern Festival Kicks Off Before Tianguan Festival, Featuring the Return of Japan’s Sleeping Dragon Giant Lantern
Last updated 2026-09-24 — The sensational Japanese Sleeping Dragon that wowed crowds during the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival is making a comeback！In addition to the 2014 Zhubei Lantern Festival running from now until February 16, and the Baoshan Township Noon Culture Festival & Hakka Opera on February 13, the “Xinpu Lanterns Welcome Tianguan – The Return of Japan’s Sleeping Dragon” festival event will kick off on February 14. A pre-festival event, the Xinpu Lanterns Welcome Tianguan Eve Ceremony, will be held at 18:00, featuring a static display of the Sleeping Dragon giant lantern at Xinpu Elementary School, the Righteous People’s Big Lantern at Xinpu Junior High, Tianguan Sky Lanterns along Tianxin Outer Ring Road, and the Maitreya Big Lantern at the God of Wealth Temple. On February 15, a Creative Street Parade Carnival will take place in front of Guanghe Temple in Xinpu Township, recreating the spectacular Sleeping Dragon street performance seen at the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival.
Written/Compiled & Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network
The sensational Japanese Sleeping Dragon that wowed crowds during the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival is making a comeback！In addition to the 2014 Zhubei Lantern Festival running from now until February 16, and the Baoshan Township Noon Culture Festival & Hakka Opera on February 13, the “Xinpu Lanterns Welcome Tianguan – The Return of Japan’s Sleeping Dragon” festival event will kick off on February 14. A pre-festival event, the Xinpu Lanterns Welcome Tianguan Eve Ceremony, will be held at 18:00, featuring a static display of the Sleeping Dragon giant lantern at Xinpu Elementary School, the Righteous People’s Big Lantern at Xinpu Junior High, Tianguan Sky Lanterns along Tianxin Outer Ring Road, and the Maitreya Big Lantern at the God of Wealth Temple. On February 15, a Creative Street Parade Carnival will take place in front of Guanghe Temple in Xinpu Township, recreating the spectacular Sleeping Dragon street performance seen at the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival.
The Japanese Sleeping Dragon giant lantern that caused a sensation at last year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival will join the street carnival in Xinpu on February 15. (Photo provided by Hsinchu County Government)
The 3.5-meter-tall, 8-meter-wide, and 3-meter-deep Sleeping Dragon giant lantern will be on static display at Xinpu Elementary School on February 14, and will join the street parade in front of Guanghe Temple in Xinpu Township on February 15. In addition to the Sleeping Dragon, displays will include the Maitreya Big Lantern, Tianguan Big Lantern, and Righteous People’s Big Lantern, alongside around 100 groups performing brass band music, flag teams, and indigenous dance.
The “Dragon King” Sleeping Dragon, recognized in Japan as an “Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property,” was created by designer Kitamura Renmei as a symbol of gratitude and a prayer for world peace. It joined the Xinpu “Dynamic Lanterns,” as well as colorful lanterns from schools across Taiwan, in the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival street parade. Its striking character lantern design, powerful drumbeats, and dynamic performance troupes helped drive the street party to a thrilling climax. This year’s parade is scheduled to officially begin at 18:30 on February 15, with the planned route along Zhongzheng Road and Tianxin Road in Xinpu Township. The public is warmly invited to attend.
The 3.5-meter-tall, 8-meter-wide, and 3-meter-deep Sleeping Dragon giant lantern will be on static display at Xinpu Elementary School on February 14, and will join the street parade in front of Guanghe Temple in Xinpu Township on February 15. In addition to the Sleeping Dragon, displays will include the Maitreya Big Lantern, Tianguan Big Lantern, and Righteous People’s Big Lantern, alongside around 100 groups performing brass band music, flag teams, and indigenous dance. The “Dragon King” Sleeping Dragon, recognized in Japan as an “Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property,” was created by designer Kitamura Renmei as a symbol of gratitude and a prayer for world peace.
Additionally, from 17:30 daily between February 14 and 16, visitors can exchange five unified invoices from January or February 2014 for a special gift at the pavilion next to St. Joseph’s Church on Hukou Old Street—limit one per person per visit while supplies last. On February 16, starting at 17:30 at the event space behind Sanyuan Temple on Hukou Old Street, one invoice from January or February 2014 can be exchanged for one raffle ticket—limit three per person per visit. Prizes include cars, 42-inch TVs, refrigerators, and more. On the evening of February 16, there will also be a star-studded performance featuring Golden Horse Best New Performer Goddess of Mercy (Guo Shuyao), Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter Huang Hui-chang (Show Lo), and Hakka music star Xiao Zhong.
● Extended Reading:
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