Reviving the Glory of Yuanshen Temple: The 3D Architectural Projection Light Show at Taipei Lantern Festival Illuminates the West District

▲The Taipei Lantern Festival will run from February 4 to 12, with a carnival-style street parade designed and executed by the Paper Windmill Theatre Troupe taking place on the night of the Lantern Festival (February 11). (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism; same for all following images.)

Reported by Yuan Yin / Taipei

After 20 years, the Taipei Lantern Festival has broken away from its traditional venue at the Flower Expo in Yuanshan Park and, for the first time this year, moved to the West District along Zhonghua Road. The main lantern displays stretch from the Red House, North Gate, Zhongshan Hall all the way to Ximending. The public can visit...From February 4 to 12, the public can head to both sides of Section 1 of Zhonghua Road to explore a variety of uniquely themed lantern zones, or visit the North Gate to enjoy an exciting light show that showcases the century-old charm of the old city gate.

This year’s Taipei Lantern Festival features the participation of over 10 artists and designers—an unprecedented initiative in its history—with the theme “Westside Story, Taipei Glory,” aiming to tell more stories about the glorious history and legacy of Taipei’s West District throughout the nine-day event.The historic site of Yuanshen Temple on Zhonghua Road has been revitalized through an art installation called “The Gallery of Light,” designed by artist Chen Kehuang. Using light and shadow, it recreates the former splendor of the ancient temple.

▲In Taipei’s West District, organized by block, starting from the North Gate—the origin of the West District Gateway Plan—and extending along Zhonghua Road, different representations of “light” and “lanterns” transform the entire West District into a vibrant street theater.

Recommended Lantern Viewing Routes:

● Route 1: Taipei Metro Beimen Station

Taipei Metro Beimen Station → North Gate Light Show → Egg White Zone & Zhongshan Hall Light Show → Red Egg Zone → Egg Yolk Zone → Golden Egg Zone → Main Performance Area → Surprise Egg Zone → Gashapon Egg Zone → Golden Egg Zone

● Route 2: Taipei Main Station (can access the lantern area via Taipei Underground Mall exits Y26 and Y28)

Taipei Main Station → North Gate Light Show → Egg White Zone & Zhongshan Hall Light Show → Red Egg Zone → Egg Yolk Zone → Golden Egg Zone → Main Performance Area → Surprise Egg Zone → Gashapon Egg Zone → Golden Egg Zone

● Route 3: Taipei Metro Ximen Station (Exits 1 & 6 on the west side)

Taipei Metro Ximen Station West Exits → Main Performance Area → Surprise Egg Zone → Gashapon Egg Zone → Golden Egg Zone → North Gate Light Show → Egg White Zone & Zhongshan Hall Light Show → Red Egg Zone → Egg Yolk Zone → Golden Egg Zone

● Route 4: Taipei Metro Ximen Station (Exits 2–5 on the east side)

Taipei Metro Ximen Station East Exits → Red Egg Zone → Egg Yolk Zone → Golden Egg Zone → Main Performance Area → Surprise Egg Zone → Gashapon Egg Zone → Golden Egg Zone → North Gate Light Show → Egg White Zone & Zhongshan Hall Light Show

● Route 5: Taipei Metro Xiaonanmen Station

Taipei Metro Xiaonanmen Station → Red Egg Zone → Egg Yolk Zone → Golden Egg Zone → Main Performance Area → Surprise Egg Zone → Gashapon Egg Zone → Golden Egg Zone → North Gate Light Show → Egg White Zone & Zhongshan Hall Light Show

▲Light Show Zones: The North Gate, liberated from its elevated highway structure, hosts a 3D architectural projection light show titled “West Street Party.” Then head to Zhongshan Hall, where a montage-style presentation invites audiences to experience the 3D light projection spectacle of “West City Grand Theater”!

▲Gashapon Egg Zone (Taipei 2017 Universiade Interactive Zone): Located on both sides of Zhonghua Road, this interactive area invites the public to participate in virtual experiences of sports such as running, swimming, table tennis, and billiards. You can even help Bear (Taipei’s mascot) light the Olympic cauldron. Through light and shadow, experience the Universiade coming to Taipei this August.

▲Red Egg Zone: Located in front of the Armed Forces Cultural Activities Center on Zhonghua Road, this area features traditional lanterns representing the Five Virtues—“Literature, Martial Valor, Bravery, Benevolence, and Integrity”—as well as paper-cut art inspired creations themed around “Home” (derived from the Taiwanese pronunciation of chicken, “ㄍㄟ”). It feels like stepping into a giant red lantern.

▲Egg Yolk Zone: Not far across from the Red Egg Zone, at the historic site of Yuanshen Temple, the art installation uses light to recreate historical elegance, turning the area into a street gallery of light.

▲Surprise Egg Zone: The Ximending Red House, a symbol of Ximending’s multicultural identity, hosts a wishing tree and an egg wall, allowing visitors to make wishes for love and faith, and prayers for themselves and their families.

▲Golden Egg Zone & Egg White Zone: The Golden Egg Zone, which fosters exchanges with sister cities and folk organizations such as the Tianhou Temple, is located at the front end of Zhonghua Road closest to the North Gate and near the Main Performance Area. The Egg White Zone, showcasing student-created works, surrounds Zhongshan Hall and will also host a lantern riddle competition.

Taipei’s Yuanshen Temple, sharing the name with the historic Kyoto temple in Japan, has a poignant and storied past. Located on the west side of Section 1 of Zhonghua Road, between Changsha Street and Guiyang Street, the Yuanshen Temple complex was formerly officially known as “Taiwan Branch of the Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji Sect.” Originating as a missionary outpost in Taipei in the 19th century, it became the “Taipei Branch” in 1901 and began constructing the temple on-site. In 1923, the main shrine and bell tower were completed; in 1924, the residence for the residing monk, called the “Rengban-sho,” was built; and in 1932, the main hall of the Taipei Branch was finally completed.

▲%The Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji Sect’s historic temple in Kyoto (Japan) (strong cultural heritage site)