Two Major Christmas Tree Lightings in Southern Taiwan for the Holiday Season
Last updated 2026-09-24 — To celebrate the festive season, the cities of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan and Pingtung County have respectively illuminated their Christmas trees at the World Games Main Stadium and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Wanjin. Organized by the Kaohsiung City Government, the “2013 Christmas Tree Lighting – Kaohsiung Shines Bright” event...
By MOOK Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
To celebrate the festive season, the cities of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan and Pingtung County have respectively illuminated their Christmas trees at the World Games Main Stadium and the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Wanjin. Organized by the Kaohsiung City Government, the “2013 Christmas Tree Lighting – Kaohsiung Shines Bright” event features a 29-meter-tall main Christmas tree. Meanwhile, 175 churches, government offices, and other locations across the city also lit up in unison at 8:00 PM on December 1, illuminating the night sky of the harbor city. The 8-meter-tall Christmas tree in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary was lit on the evening of November 30, officially kicking off the 2013 Wanjin Christmas Season.
Kaohsiung’s “2013 Christmas Tree Lighting – Kaohsiung Shines Bright” features a 29-meter-tall main Christmas tree. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
The “2013 Christmas Tree Lighting – Kaohsiung Shines Bright” event was launched by Mayor Chen Chu along with city government officials and representatives from various religious groups, who activated the 29-meter LED main Christmas tree, lighting up the Kaohsiung night sky and marking the start of the festivities. At the same time, over 175 key sites including churches, temples, schools, and department stores across the city also lit up their displays, filling the harbor city with the peace and joy of Christmas. The entire World Games Boulevard was transformed into a dazzling light zone, creating a beautiful illuminated street.
The Kaohsiung City Government’s Bureau of Civil Affairs noted that in addition to the carefully planned 900-meter-long Starry Rain Boulevard, a Christmas-themed environmental art exhibition, and the “River of Life” installation modeled after the exterior of the Catholic Sacred Heart Church, various enriching performances are scheduled every weekend evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM during the event period. Additionally, in conjunction with the Mayday year-end concert, the Kaohsiung City Government will evaluate extending the light display period to carry the festive atmosphere into 2014.
The annual Wanjin Christmas Season in December is the highlight of Pingtung County’s yearly events. The lighting ceremony kicked off the Christmas season with performances by the traditional stick-drumming team from Wanjin and the drum team from Dominican High School. The Wanjin Choir and the Tyuvu Elementary School Indigenous Song Group performed heavenly blessings, while Father Xu Qingxian of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary delivered a sermon explaining the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Three Wise Men, guided by the Star of the East, found the Christ child and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolizing kingship, divinity, and humanity—creating a sacred and reverent Catholic festive atmosphere.
The 8-meter-tall Christmas tree is lit during the Wanjin Christmas Season. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
Yao Fenglan, Director of Pingtung County’s Department of Tourism and Communications, pointed out that many of the decorations incorporate religious artistic elements. In addition to the 3D rose relief artwork, the star atop the 8-meter Christmas tree represents the Star of the East that guided the Three Wise Men and also symbolizes hope. Visitors can follow the starlight to find the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Beneath the Christmas tree, a sleigh loaded with gifts and pulled by reindeer is on display. The Department of Tourism and Communications has specially arranged a “Happy Snapshot” activity. On December 7, 8, 14, 21, and 24 during the Wanjin Christmas Season, 170 slots are available daily for both adults and children to sit on a dreamlike sleigh beside the joyful Christmas tree. A professional photographer will take commemorative photos, which will be printed as postcards—allowing visitors to keep unique memories of the Wanjin Christmas Season. These postcards can also be dropped into a temporary mailbox at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary to send to family and friends.
Many people gathered at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary to light up the Christmas season together. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government)
Additionally, an artistic nativity scene has been set up. A Spanish missionary couple, Mr. and Mrs. Xavier and Meng Jina, brought traditional Spanish Christmas nativity culture and meticulously recreated the domestic scenes of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. The flowing water from the artificial hill symbolizes the fountain of life, quenching thirst for all who drink.
Following the lighting ceremony, the Wanjin Christmas Season kicks off nearly a month of activities, including the Basilica Feast Day Parade on December 8, the Pingtung Indigenous Coffee Industry Development Project Achievement Presentation on December 14, the Pingtung Coffee Tasting Event and Grassland Starlight Coffee Music Banquet on December 21 and 22, the Angelic Voices Christmas Gala and Christmas Carol Service on December 24, and the Tyuvu Coffee Street. Various surprises are hidden within the alleys of Wanjin Village and the Ulaljushe Tribe, along with a Wanjin Christmas Themed Pavilion that introduces the area’s unique Catholic culture and related tourism information.
● Further Reading:
[Christmas Gift Exchange Series] Afternoon Tea: A European-style Fantasy Park Welcomes Christmas
http://goo.gl/BjpQ0B
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-39012
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!
- 旅客携带的“保健石”核辐射超标千倍，同机人员或遭殃！海关提醒！
- 深圳机场深夜通报！出现不明升空物，航班大面积延误！
- “拆盒洗了才说要钱！”高铁200克葡萄卖60元，12306回应！
- 买不了机票？出境被拒？登机被拦？一大波中国游客莫名成了“失信人”
- 不利天气和经济波动影响哥伦比亚咖啡市场
- 海边浴场回应冲脚淡水收费2元/30秒：明码标价！
- 舱门没关好就起飞？机翼出现问题？多个航班途中紧急折返！
- 感受大自然的馈赠！盘点世界十大唯美海岸线