By MOOK Travel Life Network, Reported and Compiled by Chen Guanxin
The “Pingxi Substation of Ruifang Precinct, New Taipei City Police Department” (Sky Lantern Police Station), with its large sky lantern-like exterior, will officially open on March 14. To reflect Pingxi’s local charm, the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau commissioned the architectural team of Chang Che-Fu—who has previously designed distinctive structures such as “Kaohsiung MRT Central Park Station,” “Qingshui Rest Area,” and “Weisman Art Museum in Minnesota”—to create the Sky Lantern Police Station. In addition to maintaining local public safety,the station will also offer tourism consultation, scenic viewpoints, bicycle stations, restrooms, and light meals upon its launch.It will feature a uniquely large “Officers’ (police) Sky Lantern” that allows visitors to make personalized wishes and enjoy hourly sky lantern shows. To complement the opening of the substation, the Tourism Bureau has also launched a series of activities including “Romantic Sky Lantern Release,” “Light Up Happiness Package,” and “Pingxi Mini-Tour,” aiming to provide visitors with a unique and memorable travel experience.
The Pingxi Substation will make its debut on White Day, March 14. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
Another highlight of the Pingxi Substation isthe hourly Officers’ Light Show from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily after its opening.The light show primarily depicts how the sky lantern was originally invented by Zhuge Liang for military communication. In the early days of Pingxi’s mountainous region, when bandits attacked, locals used sky lanterns to send messages to their families and pray for safety. Over time, coal trains transitioned to serving travelers, and traditional sky lanterns were creatively redesigned by local artisans, giving different colors and shapes symbolic meanings while preserving tradition. The story of the sky lantern show culminates during the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, where countless lanterns are lit and released—each carrying wishes for peace and happiness. Though time and space change, the emotion remains unchanged under the same night sky.
The beautiful Officers’ Light Show will also be performed every evening at 6:00 PM. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
Chen Kuo-Chun, Director of New Taipei City Tourism Bureau, stated that the main structure of the large sky lantern on the substation’s exterior is made of glass curtain walls and 193,924 LED lights. In the future, in addition to releasing traditional sky lanterns, visitors to Pingxi can also release the uniquely designed Officers’ Sky Lanterns at the Sky Lantern Police Station. They can write their wishes on a card, and after watching the 3-minute performance show every evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, their handwritten wishes will rise into the sky on the large Officers’ Sky Lantern.Currently, the Officers’ Sky Lanterns are scheduled to be released at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily, with three shows per hour, ten lanterns per show, and each lantern costing 150 NTD.Due to limited daily releases, visitors are advised to register on-site at the Sky Lantern Police Station or pre-book a release time via phone. In celebration of the substation’s opening, the Tourism Bureau has collaborated with Pingxi’s Charm Business District and Lion Travel to specially launch events such as “White Day Sky Lantern Release” and 666 sets of the “Light Up Happiness Package.”
Created with nearly 200,000 LED lights, it delivers a visually stunning performance. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
Additionally, the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with Lion Travel, launched the “Pingxi Mini-Tour” on February 26. With just about one day’s notice, 30 groups totaling 1,200 spots sold out immediately. Therefore, an additional 10 groups (400 spots) will be offered before the end of June. Those interested can start registering now via the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau website or through the Lion Travel website and designated retail locations (Zhongxiao Flagship, Taipei Main Station, City Hall Transfer Station, Banqiao Lion Station). In the future, another 400 spots are planned for seasonal Pingxi travel packages from September to November.
The inauguration of the Pingxi Substation coincides with White Day. The Tourism Bureau has specially planned a free sky lantern release event, inviting couples-to-be, romantic partners, and life-long spouses to release festive heart-shaped sky lanterns and adorable round sky lanterns together on this romantic March 14. Registration is open from now until 12:00 PM on March 6.
The Pingxi Substation will become a new local landmark. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau has also partnered with Pingxi’s Charm Business District to launch 666 limited-edition “Light Up Happiness Packages.” Each package is priced at 300 NTD and includes one 150 NTD Officers’ Sky Lantern release voucher and 300 NTD in shopping vouchers redeemable at over 130 Pingxi district shops. These vouchers can be purchased at the Pingxi Substation, Jing Tong Qiao Men Western Pastry Cake Shop, Pingxi Mingtong Yashi, Pingxi Meiyun Fabric Workshop, and Shifen Railway Art Gallery. The promotion runs from March 14 to June 13, with limited daily availability.
【Info】 Pingxi Substation (Sky Lantern Police Station)
Address: No. 141, Section 2, Jing’an Road, Pingxi District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2495-1063 (Substation), 02-2495-2358 (Tourist Service Center)
Transportation:
1. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle:
Take the MRT Wenhu Line in Taipei to Muzha Station, transfer to Taipei Bus 795 (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Muzha–Pingxi Line) and get off at Jing Tong Pit Station.
2. Drive Yourself:
(1) National Freeway No. 5 towards Yilan → Shiding Interchange → County Highway 106 → Pingxi Substation
(2) Zhongshan Expressway → Badu Interchange → Ruibajiao Highway / Provincial Highway 2丁 → Ruifang Industrial Park → County Highway 106 → Shifen → Pingxi → Pingxi Substation
(3) Taipei → Muzha Zoo → Shenkeng → County Highway 106 → Pingxi Substation
(4) Xizhi → Xiping Highway → County Highway 31 → Pingxi → Pingxi Substation
(5) Northeast Corner → Fulong in Gongliao District → Shuangxi District → Provincial Highway 2B → Shifen (heading toward Xipingxi) → Pingxi Police Substation
3. Taiwan Railways:
Take the Taiwan Railways' West Coast Line or Yilan Line to Badu or Ruifang Station, then transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line and get off at Jingtong Station.
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