Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Travel Life Network’s Chen Guanxin
The New Taipei City Government’s Department of Tourism has launched the “Brilliant Tung Blossom Festival ~ Monthly Sky Lantern Release” and “Shihfen Showcases Talent ~ Every Month Is Spectacular” events,offering 50 free 4TN sky lanterns each month, as well as organizing talent shows performed by local groups such as elementary and middle school teachers and students from Pingxi, allowing every visitor to deeply experience the natural and cultural beauty of Jing Tong, Shihfen, and other areas.
The New Taipei City Government’s Department of Tourism will provide 50 free 4TN sky lanterns for public release each month. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government’s Department of Tourism)
The “Brilliant Tung Blossom Festival ~ Monthly Sky Lantern Release” event will offer 50 free 4TN sky lanterns per session, with colored pens available on-site for writing wishes. The completed lanterns will be assisted in release by staff to send blessings.Monthly sessions are scheduled for March 16, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, and December 14—10 sessions in total—held on the second Sunday of each month, with registration from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the day of the event.
The Department of Tourism stated that the Keelung-Fulong Highway, connecting Keelung to Fulong, is expected to open in May. Before its opening,the first two sky lantern experience sessions on March 16 and April 13 will be held at the Shihfen Visitor Center. Starting in May, all subsequent sessions will take place at the Pingxi Substation.For the sky lantern release experience, each lantern must be released with the accompaniment of 2–3 adults. Those who fail to register on the day will be considered to have forfeited their spot and will be replaced by other visitors on-site.
The Pingxi Substation event will debut on White Day, March 14. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government’s Department of Tourism)
Additionally, to showcase the youthful energy and enthusiasm of local students and cultural arts groups, the Department of Tourism will also hostthe “Shihfen Showcases Talent ~ Every Month Is Spectacular” event on the fourth Sunday of each month from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Shihfen Visitor Center on March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, and October 26.Local cultural arts groups and elementary and middle school teachers and students from Pingxi—including Pingxi Junior High School, Shihfen Elementary School, Jing Tong Elementary School, Pingxi Elementary School, and the local group “Black Gold Years” dance troupe—will perform vibrant lantern dances, dragon and lion dances, and various instrumental music acts.
The Department of Tourism also noted that visitors wishing to visit the Pingxi Substation and Shihfen Visitor Center to experience sky lantern releases can transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line train at Badu or Ruifang Railway Station and purchase the “Pingxi One-Day Pass” (full fare NT$52, half fare NT$28) to enjoy unlimited rides on the branch line for the day. Visitors should disembark at Jing Tong Railway Station and walk toward the old street entrance, or drive from National Freeway No. 2, exiting at Shiding Interchange, then turning onto Route 106 toward Jing Tong Old Street; alternatively, take a bus and transfer at MRT Beitou Station to Taipei Bus 795 or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Beitou to Pingxi” to Jing Tong Station to reach the sky lantern substation.
The Pingxi Substation is illuminated by nearly 200,000 LED lights, creating a stunning visual performance. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government’s Department of Tourism)
Additionally, those driving to Shihfen can enter via County Road 106 toward Shihfen, accessing the scenic area entrance at Kilometer 68.7 on County Road 106. Bus riders can take Taipei Bus 795 or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Beitou to Pingxi” directly to the terminal Shihfen Visitor Center Station. Sky lantern release session reservations for the entire year are now being accepted. For reservations, please call: 02-2495-8409.
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