Summer vacation in Taitung: Soar through the skies – Registration now open for Taiwan’s only hot air balloon summer camp

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

Kids who have seen *Up* must also dream of tying their house to colorful balloons and flying among the blue sky and white clouds. The “2012 Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival” hosted by Taitung County Government will kick off on June 29 and will feature Taiwan’s only hot air balloon summer camp, with a total of six sessions. Foreign pilots will serve as instructor advisors, and the course content includes knowledge of hot air balloon flight, equipment operation, balloon inflation and deflation demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Participants can enjoy the thrill of flying without needing to tie a house full of balloons. Registration is open from now until June 5. Each session will accommodate 60 participants, with an entry fee of NT$5,000 per person. Applicants must be at least 15 years old.

The 2012 Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival runs from June 29 to September 2. In addition to the hot air balloon summer camp, hot air balloon experience activities will also be offered starting June 30, twice daily from 6:30–9:00 am and 4:30–6:30 pm, at NT$500 per person. Visitors planning to attend can enjoy discounted train fares when traveling from Taipei-area stations (Shulin, Banqiao, Taipei, Songshan) and Kaohsiung-area stations (Xinzuoying, Kaohsiung, Fengshan) via Taiwan Railways during the event period — NT$350 and NT$160 respectively. Upon arriving at Taitung Station, visitors can take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus to the event venue. Those flying into Taitung can take a shuttle bus from the airport to Taitung Railway Station, then transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle. During the event, designated taxi-sharing pick-up spots will be set up at Taitung Railway Station, Taitung Airport, Taitung City Travel Service Center, Four-Faced Buddha in Zhiben Hot Springs, and Luye Plateau to help alleviate traffic congestion around the venue.

Additionally, a naming and online voting campaign will be held for the newly acquired tilting electric multiple units on the Eastern Line of Taiwan Railways. Winners will receive a free hot air balloon flight experience. The detailed rules will be announced and implemented after confirmation by Taitung County Government.

2012 Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival

Venue: Luye Plateau, Taitung County

Dates: June 29 to September 2

Experience times: Hot air balloon experiences run daily from 6:30–9:00 am and 4:30–6:30 pm

Experience fee: NT$500 per person

● Read more: Grass sledding, paragliding, hot air balloons — Luye Plateau is lively all year round

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