The “Flying Dragon in the Clouds” makes its debut at the Taichung Lantern Festival today, while the “Jadeite Cabbage” attracts attention

By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported

The Central Taiwan Lantern Festival officially opens today at Wenxin Forest Park in Taichung City. Spanning 12 days, the festival will feature the longest main lantern in Taiwan Lantern Festival history—the “Flying Dragon in the Clouds.” With synchronized lighting, sound effects, and an electric lifting system, the entire structure appears as if the dragon is soaring through the sky. The international lantern area showcases themed displays from Hong Kong, Zigong in Sichuan, Xiamen, and other regions, each with its own unique style worth seeing. For example, Sichuan’s “Jadeite Cabbage” is crafted based on the national treasure housed in the Palace Museum; the “Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Vase” lantern stands 18 meters tall and is made up of 500,000 small bottles. When illuminated at night, it displays vibrant and dazzling colors. Small “Flying Dragon” lanterns will also be distributed at the lantern area starting at 6 PM tonight. Interested visitors are encouraged to arrive early to claim one.

From 7 PM to 10 PM each evening during the event, there will be a main lantern show hourly, extended to 11 PM on holidays. In addition to the main lantern shows, the secondary lantern area features several large themed lantern displays, such as “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” which embodies the concepts of heaven, earth, and humanity, and “Kirin Bringing Auspiciousness,” symbolizing luck and brightness. Furthermore, four dragon-shaped light corridors have been set up at the four entrances of Wenxin Forest Park, each with a blessing dragon ball representing “luck,” “prosperity,” “happiness,” and “joy.” Visitors can personally turn these dragon balls, symbolizing the casting out of misfortune and the welcoming of good fortune.

To accommodate the lantern festival, 11 parking areas will be set up around Wenxin Forest Park. Additionally, from February 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, and 12th, free shuttle buses will run between Taichung Railway Station and Wenxin Forest Park. The public is encouraged to make use of these services.