The park mascots kick off the "Happy Lantern Area" celebrations starting February 7 for the Lantern Festival

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

The 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Lukang, Changhua, featured a grand lantern-lighting ceremony and a parade of 24 theme park mascots on the actual Lantern Festival day. From today (February 7) to February 19, visitors can continue to admire creative lantern displays from nine theme parks in the "Happy Lantern Area," including Lilliput Land, Janfusun Fancyworld, Moon World, Ocean Park, Shanlinxi Eco-Resort, West Lake Resort, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Doraemon Science Theme Park, and Tayal Resort. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, the mascots from each park will also put on performances. On weeknights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (and until 9:00 pm on holidays), hosts will engage the crowd with fun quizzes and giveaways, ensuring a delightful evening at the lantern festival.

Additionally, free "Majestic Dragon" mini lanterns will be given out daily starting at 3:00 pm at the Happy Lantern Area, the intersection of Jianguo Road and Zhongzheng Road, Longshan Temple, and Wenchang Temple—limit one per person while supplies last. To encourage the use of public transportation, the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Lukang Line offers free shuttle services throughout the lantern festival period. Pick-up points include Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, Changhua Railway Station, Changhua County Government, Cultural Center, and Changhua Railway Station (TRA).

The 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival is arguably the largest in scale to date, in terms of the main lantern design, exhibition area, performance lineup, distinguished guests, and visitor turnout. The highlight was undoubtedly the first-ever appearance of cartoon characters from Tokyo Disneyland in Japan at a Taiwanese Lantern Festival, which thrilled the crowds.

The festival runs until February 19. The main lantern "Dragon Soaring Amidst Clouds" at Lukang Township Stadium lights up every evening at 7:00 pm, with a light show every half hour. Other highlights include the North Lantern Area (Lukang Sports Park), the Zhongshan Road Charm Lantern Area (Tianhou Temple, Guild Hall, Longshan Temple, and Folklore Museum), and the South Lantern Area (Wenchang Temple, Huguan Temple, and Ksitigarbha Temple). In addition to dazzling lantern displays, there are plenty of exciting activities. For more information, visit the 2012taiwanlantern.net/download.php download section at the Changhua County Government’s "Chang Lantern Festival" webpage.