Pingtung Lantern Festival’s Light Sculpture Night Scene – The Wannian River Transforms into a River of Light

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled and reported

In 2015, Pingtung hosted various events providing both locals and tourists with great places to celebrate the Lunar New Year, attracting over 1.45 million visitors. This year, in addition to the Hot Spring Expo, the Lantern Festival has been added. The event centers around the Wannian River, with the main light installation “Soaring Miracles,” designed around the zodiac sign of the Rooster for the New Year. It features a golden rooster with outstretched wings, combined with light projections showcasing Pingtung’s rich ethnic cultures and local produce. It also symbolizes hope, as the nearly one-kilometer stretch of the Wannian River from the Labor Affairs Office to the Jade Emperor Temple is adorned with 17 themed light zones along its banks. These include artistic and cultural lights, Farewell to the Five-Cent Train, Idol Theater, indigenous and Hakka ethnic culture light zones, as well as artist-created light installations like the Water Cloud Lanterns.

Once known as the “Fan-A-Pu Creek” or “Agou Creek,” the Wannian River meanders through downtown Pingtung and is the lifeblood of the city. However, in the past, due to pollution from industrial, livestock, and household wastewater, it was once mockingly called the “Eternal Stinky River.” In recent years, thanks to the county government’s efforts in restoration, the Wannian River has been revived, regaining its beautiful appearance and now serves as a leisure spot for locals at dawn and dusk.

Among them, the “Wannian River Along the River Painting” was jointly created by teachers and students of Minhe Elementary School located by the Wannian River and local historians over three years across seven student generations. It delicately depicts the scenery and figures along the riverbank, even including scenes cherished by old Pingtung residents such as the now-demolished Wu Bridge and boating on the river. The “Swaying with the Light – Music Nursery” light zone, installed next to the former residence of Li Shude, features works shaped like growing music saplings bearing bright musical note fruits. The colors change with the music, paying deep tribute to the great “Mother of Taiwanese Violin” – Professor Li Shude.

The Labor and Recreation Center building will present a light sculpture show every half hour from 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM starting January 30, with each show lasting about three minutes. Themed around popular New Year symbols loved by the public, the shows feature auspicious pairs of dragons, giant firecrackers, as well as blackfin tuna symbolizing “abundance every year” and abundant agricultural produce, all sending New Year greetings to the people.