Taitung, the pioneer of hot air balloon activities in Taiwan—gained fame through the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, also making Luye Gaotai the hottest tourist destination in the summer. This year’s event has invited many uniquely designed hot air balloons to Taiwan, including adorable animals that children love, such as penguins and turtles, a wish cake for birthdays, and Darth Vader from the popular movie “Star Wars.” The beloved Angry Birds Hot Air Balloon is also making its global debut in Taitung, participating in two light shows and flight performances. Additionally, this year marks the first-ever introduction of a passenger-carrying free flight service, making it the only hot air balloon event in Taiwan that offers this experience.

 

For the 2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, tethered ride tickets go on sale daily at 5:00 AM and 3:00 PM. In addition to on-site ticket purchases, the first 80 spots for the balloon-exclusive one-day tour are available for standby. This year’s new free flight passenger service is by reservation only, requiring advance application with the event organizers.

 

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Dates: Now until August 11

Location: Luye Gaotai, Taitung

Official Website: balloontaiwan.taitung.gov.tw

 

 

Visiting Taitung in the summer and cycling through vast fields of golden rice gives the air a faint scent of rice, with the land presenting a scene of abundance. After harvest, the straw between the fields emits another unique aroma. To experience this Taitung rice fragrance, Guanshan and Chihshang in Taitung are represented by the Guanshan Loop Bike Path and Boulevard des Bourbons respectively.

 

Spanning 12 kilometers, the path winds through endless rice fields, passing Redstone Creek and the Guanshan Irrigation Canal, and ends at Guanshan Water Park. Along the way, signs display calorie consumption and slope grades, making it very user-friendly. On clear days, the sky is an endless blue adorned with white clouds, which reflect off Redstone Creek like scattered paint, blending blue and white across the landscape.

 

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Address: No. 1, Longsheng Road, Guanshan Township, Taitung County

 

 

Boulevard des Bourbons in Chihshang Township is a serene country lane in the Wan’an Community. It earned the name due to a commercial shoot for Bonjour Coffee, and has also appeared in a recent airline advertisement starring Takeshi Kaneshiro. The gentle breeze rustling through golden rice stalks and the sight of cycling along quiet rural paths make it an idyllic destination to experience this simple, natural beauty.

 

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Address: No. 3, Jinxin Road, Chihshang Township, Taitung County

Not to be outdone by Taitung, Hualien is also hosting the “2013 International Hot Air Balloon Hualien Soaring Season.” In addition to tethered balloon rides and free flight performances, visitors can take helicopter tours for aerial views, watch light aircraft shows, and even try paragliding and other light aircraft for a vibrant Hualien skyline.

 

The hot air balloon experience lasts five minutes and costs NT$500, with daily launches taking place from 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The park also features a hot air balloon flight pavilion integrating digital imaging technology, a family water play area, a park train, as well as ox cart rides and horseback riding in the countryside, aiming to offer visitors a fresh 360-degree aerial perspective of this beautiful pearl of the Huatung Valley. Guests can fully enjoy the park while immersing themselves in the valley’s stunning natural environment and discovering new inspiration.

 

[Info]

Dates: Now until September 1

Location: Dafeng Dafu Plain Forest Park, Guangfu Township

Official website: http://hibf.com.tw/