Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: "Wishing Sky Lanterns" Take Flight, "Round Baby Sky Lanterns" Debut on Lantern Festival

The "New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival" was selected by CNN in 2013 as one of "The 52 Places to Go" and by the world's largest travel publisher Fodor's as one of the 14 “Once-in-a-Lifetime Must-Experience Festivals.” The "2014 New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival" will continue on February 14th, which is both Lantern Festival and Valentine’s Day, at Shifen Square. The “Hand in Hand, United in Love and Ascent” blessing ceremony will be held there. In addition to the release of romantic heart-shaped sky lanterns, the “Giant Panda Round Baby Sky Lantern,” a collaborative project between New Taipei City and Taipei City, will also make its first public appearance, joining everyone in celebrating the Lantern Festival. The New Taipei City Government invites everyone to come to Pingxi during the first full moon night of 2014, together with family, loved ones, and close friends, to release sky lanterns. Under the warm glow of the lanterns, let’s unite in love, happiness, and togetherness.

On February 14th (Lantern Festival), comprehensive traffic controls for cars and motorcycles will be implemented from 9:00 AM to midnight. Control points include the Shuangxi Intersection on Provincial Highway 106 and 106B, the tunnel entrance before the Shiding Fort Tunnel on Highway 106B, Zhuangjing Bridge, the entrances and exits of Shifen Scenic Area, the entrance before the Shuangxi Mana Villa (Shuangxi Tunnel entrance), and the intersection of Ruiping Highway and Dingping Highway (Ruifang Industrial Area). To avoid traffic jams spoiling your experience, the New Taipei City Government urges the public to take trains or shuttle buses to the event. Shuttle bus pick-up points include Taipei Zoo, Ruifang Railway Station, and the Shiding Connection Road on National Freeway No. 5. Boarding fares are NT$50, NT$30, and NT$30 respectively when paying with coins, while the ride down the mountain is free.