Hot air balloons make their debut in Taoyuan — tethered flight experience now open for registration

▲ Taoyuan is holding its first hot air balloon festival this year, allowing locals to experience tethered balloon rides without traveling far. The image is for illustrative purposes only. (Photo / Dream Factory of Flight / Sky Aviation)

Reported by Tsai Wen-jun / Compiled by staff

Taoyuan is hosting its first-ever "Shihmen Hot Air Balloon Festival" this year, taking place on June 18, 19, 25, and 26 at Shihmen Reservoir. Visitors can enjoy a rare hot air balloon festival right here in Taoyuan without having to take a train over the mountains to head east. Among the highlights, the tethered hot air balloon experience is now open for registration, with each session priced at NT$500.

During the event, the tethered hot air balloon experience will be available twice daily — from 5:30–7:30 a.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. — with a limit of 100 participants per session, offering a chance to ascend in a hot air balloon and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Shihmen Reservoir. Registration for the morning and afternoon sessions on June 18 and 19 is now open. Starting at 10 a.m. on June 20, registration will open for the morning and afternoon sessions on June 25 and 26. The general admission fee is NT$500, while Taoyuan residents can enjoy a discounted rate of NT$400 by presenting their citizen card.

▲ The main lantern of the Taoyuan Lantern Festival, "Qi Tian Chuang Hong Yun" (Heavenly Creation of Prosperity), will once again shine brilliantly. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

In addition to the hot air balloon experience, the 26-meter-high main lantern "Qi Tian Chuang Hong Yun" from the 2016 Taoyuan Lantern Festival will also make an appearance at Shihmen Reservoir, lighting up the area once more. Beyond the tethered balloon rides, the organizers have also planned a night light and music show, special vertical wind tunnel experiences, simulated flight demonstrations, mini hot air balloon lessons, and WALK IN exploration tours. For registration and event details, visit the official event website (http://www.tyballoon.com/ ).