By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin
The "2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival" is being held in Zhongxing New Village, Nantou for the first time. The 10-day dazzling lantern festival will run from February 14 to 23, and a test lighting rehearsal for the "Main Lantern Area" will take place on February 13. Starting at 15:00 that afternoon, "Super Cute Horse" mini lanterns will be distributed at the venue, and a grand rehearsal event will begin at 17:45, featuring performances by renowned groups such as the Nantou Bunun Cultural Association, Nantou Ethnic Dance Troupe, Atayal Aboriginal Dance Troupe, Ten Drums Art Percussion Group, and Chu Ting-ching Percussion Group. The tallest main lantern in history, "Dragon Steed Soaring," will also have its first test lighting at 19:00, accompanied by a spectacular 3-minute fireworks display. The public is welcome to experience the festive atmosphere early on February 13.
The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival kicks off tomorrow (14th). (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The 25th edition of the "Taiwan Lantern Festival," themed "Love of the Earth, Heart of Taiwan," features the "Main Lantern Area" around the large field of Zhongxing Assembly Hall, extending to the "North Lantern Area" at the Provincial Government Circle and the "South Lantern Area" at the Taipei Arena, all connected by the "Green Tunnel" along Guanghua Road and Guangrong North Road. This integrates Zhongxing New Village with the Taiwan Lantern Festival, allowing visitors to easily "enjoy the greenery by day and explore the lanterns by night."
The 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival will hold rehearsals and test lightings today. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The highly anticipated main lantern in the "Main Lantern Area," "Dragon Steed Soaring," stands at an impressive 23 meters, the tallest ever. It is designed around the ancient swift and agile horse breed "Yanqi Horse," depicted as galloping atop Yushan Mountain. With a focus on "full optics," "technology," and "green energy and environmental protection," over 200,000 LED bulbs create a stunning visual feast. Surrounding it are three auxiliary lanterns: "Rare Birds in Splendid Competition," "Prosperity and Health," and "Taiwan Cool Bear." Among them, "Taiwan Cool Bear" features a Taiwanese black bear as the protagonist for the first time, dressed in a high-tech suit with a dynamic mask, showcasing the diverse features of the auxiliary lanterns.
This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival lantern artwork—Rare Birds in Splendid Competition. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
To create a welcoming atmosphere, three decorative lantern zones—"Wealth Prosperity Gate," "Fortune Life Gate," and "Chinese Art Gate"—have been set up at key locations. The "Wealth Prosperity Gate" features a giant pineapple ingot-shaped treasure bowl to welcome golden prosperity and good fortune year after year. For the first time, inspired by Nantou’s King Lychee, a "Prayer Lantern Forest"—Fuli (Lychee) Lily—is created, with prayer lanterns hung in the shapes of plum blossoms symbolizing the arrival of spring and good news, and lilies representing harmony and all things going well, allowing blessings to bloom across the land. As this year’s Lantern Festival coincides with Valentine’s Day on February 14, the "Love You Forever" lantern area is decorated with heart-shaped and Cupid-themed lanterns for the first time, presenting a modern romantic ambiance unlike previous festivals.
This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival lantern artwork—Taiwan Cool Bear. (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
The Taiwan Lantern Festival has planned comprehensive transportation and shuttle services. The public is encouraged to enjoy an easy trip using public transport. From 14:00 on weekdays (10:00 on holidays), visitors can take "free shuttle buses" (departing approximately every 5 to 15 minutes) from "Taiwan High-Speed Rail Taichung Station," "Taiwan Railway Xinwuri Station," "Taiwan Railway Yuanlin Station," or "Taichung Tiger City Shopping Mall" to the "North Lantern Area" (North Transfer Station), then walk or transfer to the "free intra-area shuttle bus" (departing approximately every 10 minutes) to visit the "Main Lantern Area." For those driving, follow the tip: "Take Freeway No. 2 to the lanterns, Freeway No. 1 back home, head south via Caotun, and north via Mingjian." After parking in one of the seven free parking lots around the lantern festival, transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the exhibition area. For detailed event information, visit the 2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival official website (http://www.taiwan.net.tw/2014taiwanlantern/) or download the "2014 Taiwan Lantern Festival APP" to access maps, guides, event introductions, and parking updates.
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Giant pineapple ingot-shaped "Wealth Prosperity Gate." (Photo provided by the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)