The main lantern of the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival makes its debut: A serpentine "Green Little Dragon" soars on Lantern Festival night

Written/Compiled by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin

 

From traditional to heart-shaped and pumpkin-shaped lanterns—after seeing the diverse forms sky lanterns can take, the 2013 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City will feature a serpentine sky lantern this year. The main lantern of this year’s Lantern Festival, the "Green Little Dragon," has a round, coiling body that spirals upward, with half-closed eyes and a little red tongue sticking out, giving it a cute and lovable appearance. And the “Love Character Poll,” which generated intense online voting on the event’s official website last month, saw the character “伴” (companion), depicting two people huddled close together, win the favor of netizens and claim the title of “2013 Love Character.”

For Valentine’s Day there are heart-shaped lanterns, for Halloween there are pumpkin lanterns, and for the Year of the Snake’s Lantern Festival, the organizing body—the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau—overcame production and launching challenges to specially create a large serpentine sky lantern main piece, the "Green Little Dragon." The real-life Green Little Dragon will make its debut on February 24, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (Lantern Festival), at the "Hand in Hand for Reunion, Joyful Lantern Festival" event at Shifen Square, where the public will witness for the first time a 12-meter-tall serpentine sky lantern ascending into the sky.

 

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival isn’t only lively during the Spring Festival period. Warm-up events began as early as January, among which the “Love Character Poll” attracted numerous online voters. By the campaign’s end on January 25, the total number of votes reached 8,888, with the top vote-getter, the character “伴” (companion), earning 1,572 votes—reflecting many people’s deep desire to be supported and accompanied by loved ones. At the “Twinkling Stars, Happiness Ascends” lantern event held on February 14 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year) at Jing Tong Elementary School, the 2013 Love Character “伴” will be written on a sky lantern, spreading the sweetest atmosphere as it slowly drifts upward.

Due to the massive annual turnout for the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, the New Taipei City Government has strengthened traffic controls and public transport convenience. On February 17 (the eighth day of the Lunar New Year) and February 24 (Lantern Festival), comprehensive vehicle restrictions—including cars, motorcycles, and bicycles—will be enforced from 10:00 to 24:00. Restricted areas include the intersection of Provincial Highway 106 and 106B at Shuangxi Kou, the tunnel entrance of the Shiding Bao Tunnel on Provincial Highway 106B at Shuangxi Kou, Zhuangjing Bridge, the entrances to Shifen Scenic Area, the entrance to Ping-Shuang Tunnel (entrance to Shuangxi Mana Resort), and the intersection of Rui-Ping Highway and Ding-Ping Highway (Ruifang Industrial Area).

To accommodate the traffic restrictions, shuttle buses have been arranged. Fares for uphill rides range between NT$10 and NT$50, while downhill rides are free. Train travelers should note that Pingxi Line schedules differ on festival days; please check the Taiwan Railways Administration website for details. Additionally, on February 17, trains to the Pingxi Line will operate in two segments: Ruifang (Houtong)–Pingxi, and Pingxi–Jingtong. Passengers heading to Jingtong Station must transfer at Pingxi Station. On February 24, trains will run in two segments: Ruifang (Houtong)–Shifen, and Shifen–Jingtong. Passengers traveling to stations between Shifen and Jingtong must transfer at Shifen Station. Taiwan Railways Administration website: www.railway.gov.tw.

 

 

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