【Friday Fun in Taiwan】Sky Lanterns in the North, Beehive Rockets in the South — Romantic Lantern Nights to Celebrate Lantern Festival

Text/Photo report by Chen Guanxin, compiled by MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network

 

Today (14th) is the annual Lantern Festival, which also coincides with the romantic Western Valentine’s Day. The festive atmosphere of Lantern Festival fills the entire island, and the long-standing traditions of “sky lanterns in the north, beehive rockets in the south” will take place today. In addition, another highlight of this week — the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival — will officially open tonight. The giant Japanese Nebuta Dragon King lantern will be displayed in Xinzhuang, Hsinchu, while the street parade and Love River fireworks show at the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will also kick off and light up the night tonight.

New Taipei City — Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

 

The 2014 Taipei Lantern Festival shines bright at the Taipei Expo Park from now until February 16. The “Lantern Festival Bus & Beijing Earth Altar Cultural Temple Fair” at the Taipei Expo Park specially organizes a series of Lantern Festival and Valentine’s Day celebration events to mark the romantic 2014 — the year symbolizing “love you for a lifetime.”

 

The Taipei Expo Park Lantern Festival Bus has launched the “Cupid Bus, Love You for a Lifetime” campaign. On this (14th) day, a romantic Valentine’s photo spot has been set up. In addition to Cupid’s love arrows and love locks that bring couples closer, the Moon God from Xiadie Chenghuang Temple will also make an appearance. Visitors who take photos with the Valentine’s photo spot can upload their pictures to their personal Facebook, check in at Taipei Expo Park, and show the FB post to exchange a free “Xiadie Chenghuang Temple Official Moon God Bookmark” (limited to 600 copies) with the bus conductor. The first 120 passengers taking the evening bus (17:30–20:30) and joining the activity will also receive a “Miramar Ferris Wheel Ride Ticket” (limited to 120 copies), offering a stunning view of Taipei’s nightlife and a romantic Valentine’s evening. Additionally, riding the Taipei Expo Park Lantern Festival Bus gives you a chance to join the surprise lucky draw for valuable gifts, with nearly NT$10,000 worth of high-performance water purifiers (9 units total) and NT$1,000 meal vouchers (10 winners total) being given away daily. With only three days left in the event, don’t miss your last chance to win and take home amazing prizes. Come out for a spring walk and enjoy the lantern displays.

 

Date: From now until February 16

Location: Taipei Expo Park

 

In addition to the 2014 Hsinbei Lantern Festival, which runs from now until February 16, and the Baoshan Township Noon Culture Festival & Hakka Opera on February 13, the “Xinzhuang Lanterns Greet Tianchuan — Return of the Japanese Nebuta Dragon King” festival event will kick off on February 14. A pre-Tianchuan night ceremony will be held at 18:00 on the evening of the 14th, featuring a static display of the giant Nebuta Dragon King lantern at Xinzhuang Elementary School, the Yi Min Giant Lantern at Xinzhuang Junior High School, the Tianchuan Sky Lanterns along Tianxin Outer Ring Road, and the Maitreya Giant Lantern at the God of Wealth Temple. On February 15, a creative street carnival will be held in front of Guanghe Temple in Xinzhuang Town, recreating the spectacular Nebuta street parade from the 2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival.

 

Date: From now until February 16

Location: Xinzhuang Elementary School, Xinzhuang Junior High School, Tianxin Outer Ring Road, and other areas

 

Entering its 25th edition, the “2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival” is being held in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou, for the first time. From today through the 23rd, a dazzling 10-day lantern festival is underway with the theme “Love for the Land, Heart of Taiwan.” The main lantern area is located around the large field of Zhongxing Hall, extending to the “North Lantern Area” at the Provincial Government Roundabout and the “South Lantern Area” at the Taipei Arena, all connected by a “green tunnel” along Guanghua Road and Guangrong North Road. This integration of Zhongxing New Village and the Lantern Festival allows visitors to “enjoy the greenery by day and explore the lanterns by night.”

 

Date: From now until February 23

Location: Zhongxing New Village, Nantou

 

To welcome the arrival of the Lantern Festival on February 14 (the 15th day of the first lunar month), the annual Yanshui Beehive Rockets event will soon kick off at the Yanshui Junior High School playground. This year’s beehive rockets are even more spectacular than before. The Wu Temple has specially created a 12-foot-tall statue titled “Guan Yu Riding the Red Hare,” symbolizing the spirit of a dragon and horse, which will make its debut. Coupled with high-tech LED lighting and 400,000 beehive rockets, a dazzling main rocket fortress has been created. In addition, over 200 smaller rocket fortresses will be scattered throughout Yanshui, allowing participants to experience the thrill of the rockets all over town. The Wu Temple divine palanquin parade will take place on February 13 and 14 (the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month). The public can follow the palanquin to experience the excitement of rushing through the rockets firsthand. On the night of the Lantern Festival at 21:00, a centralized launching area will be set up at the Yanshui Junior High School playground, where the theme “Dragon Horse Spirit, Success Upon Arrival” main rocket fortress will be ignited. It’s sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

 

Date: From now until February 15

Location: Yanshui Junior High School Playground