【Friday Fun in Taiwan】Yilan’s Flying Train Draws Crowds as Lantern Festivals in Kaohsiung and Hualien Compete for Attention
Last updated 2026-09-25 — During the Lunar New Year holiday, be sure to head out with your family for some festive fun and exploration. This week’s highlights include the launch of the JiMi Flying Train at Yilan Railway Station and the lantern festivals in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District and Hualien. Additionally, the New Taipei City Christmas event...
Text by MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
During the Lunar New Year holiday, be sure to head out with your family for some festive fun and exploration. This week’s highlights include the launch of the JiMi Flying Train at Yilan Railway Station and the lantern festivals in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District and Hualien. Additionally, the New Taipei City Christmas City’s Santa Claus has donned a new outfit as the God of Wealth, while the original flying teddy bear has transformed into a flying panda cub, joining in the New Year celebrations with adorable animations. Moreover, Taichung’s “Illuminating Taichung 3D Light Show” has reopened, now running year-round, including on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and featuring a special “New Year Greetings Edition.”
The JiMi Flying Train takes to the skies, bringing the world of picture books to life once again. (Photo provided by Yilan County Government)
Yilan City
Yilan County Government has installed two artistic pieces inspired by JiMi’s picture books at Yilan Railway Station and Diudiuang Forest Square. From a distance, the tree-filled plaza in front of Yilan Railway Station resembles the serene forest where the boy and girl stroll through in the picture book “Starry Starry Night,” making the station look like one hidden within a forest. Building on this concept, the building’s exterior is wrapped in lush green imagery from JiMi’s works, transforming Yilan Railway Station into a “railway station in the forest,” adding vibrancy to the bustling hub while also featuring a giraffe as the gatekeeper to welcome daily travelers.
Date: Now open for viewing
Location: Plaza in front of Yilan Railway Station
Yilan Railway Station is transformed into a lush forest world. (Photo provided by Yilan County Government)
New Taipei City
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Santa Claus at New Taipei City Christmas City has swapped his suit for a festive red outfit and become the God of Wealth, while the flying teddy bear has turned into an adorable flying panda cub. Starting now, the “Super Cute, Bear Fortune” Spring Festival light show will continue every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the hour.
Date: Now until February 14; performances suspended from January 30 to February 1 (Lunar New Year’s Eve to the second day)
Location: Civic Plaza, New Taipei City Government
The Spring Festival light show stars the God of Wealth and a cute panda cub. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
Taichung City
The “Illuminating Taichung 3D Light Show,” which took Taichung by storm last year, will continue throughout the year starting now. Shows are held at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM every Saturday at the Tai-chung Prefectural Hall. The show runs all year without breaks, including on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and features a specially added 3–4 minute “New Year Greetings Edition” at the end of the performance.
Date: Saturdays starting now
Location: Tai-chung Prefectural Hall
Illuminating Taichung 3D Light Show returns to the stage. (Photo provided by Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
The “2014 Gangshan Lantern Festival” kicks off on January 31 (the first day of the Lunar New Year) and will run for 15 days. Highlights include a creative screw-shaped main lantern, a lantern area showcasing Gangshan’s rural charm, and a 3D water dance and light show. In addition, the stage performances from the first to fifth day of the Lunar New Year feature international performance troupes like the Jiutian Folk Arts Group, with blockbuster opening acts by celebrity host Dong Zhicheng. Other performers include Golden Melody Award-winning artist Huang Fei, singers Tsai Changxian, Luo Shifeng, Hsu Fukai, Huang Wenxing, Lin Lianghuan, and Tsai Yide, along with 3D water dance and light shows and colorful fireworks displays.
Date: January 31 to February 14
Location: Riverside Park, Gangshan District
The main lantern of the Kaohsiung Gangshan Lantern Festival draws inspiration from local cultural elements. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
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