By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
During the Lunar New Year holiday, head out with your family to enjoy the festive fun together. The hottest attractions this week include the launch of the Jimmy Liao Flying Train at Yilan Railway Station, as well as lantern festivals in Kaohsiung’s Gangshan District and Hualien. Additionally, in New Taipei City’s Happy Christmas Town, Santa Claus has donned a new outfit as the God of Wealth, while the original flying teddy bear has been transformed into an adorable flying panda cub, joining in the New Year celebrations with cute animations. Moreover, Taichung’s “Zhuzhguang Taichung 3D Light Sculpture Show” has reopened, now operating year-round with screenings even on the second day of the Lunar New Year, plus a special “Lunar New Year Greeting Edition.”
The Jimmy Liao Flying Train takes flight, bringing the world of picture books to life once again. (Photo provided by Yilan County Government)
Yilan City
Yilan County Government has installed two artistic structures inspired by Jimmy Liao’s picture books at Yilan Railway Station and Diudiuang Forest Square. From afar, the tree-lined plaza in front of the station resembles the serene forest where the boy and girl stroll through in the book “Starry Starry Night,” making the railway station appear as if it’s hidden within a forest. Building on this concept, the building’s exterior is wrapped in Jimmy Liao’s lush green imagery, transforming Yilan Railway Station into a “railway station in the forest.” This adds a lively and vibrant touch to the busy station while also featuring a giraffe as the gatekeeper to welcome daily travelers.
Date: Open for viewing starting now
Location: Plaza in front of Yilan Railway Station
Yilan Railway Station transforms into a verdant forest world. (Photo provided by Yilan County Government)
New Taipei City
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Santa Claus in New Taipei City’s Happy Christmas Town has donned a festive new outfit as the God of Wealth, and the flying teddy bear has turned into a cute flying panda cub. Starting now, the “Super Cute, Bear-Filled Fortune” Lunar New Year light show will continue every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with performances on the hour.
Date: Now until February 14; performances suspended from January 30 to February 1 (Lunar New Year’s Eve to the second day)
Location: Civic Plaza, New Taipei City Government
The Lunar New Year light show stars the God of Wealth and an adorable panda cub. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau)
Taichung City
The “Zhuzhguang Taichung 3D Light Sculpture Show,” which became a huge hit in Taichung last year, will continue throughout the year starting now. Shows are held every Saturday at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 9:00 PM at Taichung Prefectural Hall. Not only is it open year-round, but it will also screen as usual on the second day of the Lunar New Year, with a special 3–4 minute “Lunar New Year Greeting Edition” added at the end of the performance.
Date: Every Saturday evening starting now
Location: Taichung Prefectural Hall
The Zhuzhguang Taichung 3D Light Sculpture Show returns to the stage. (Photo provided by Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau)
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival
The “2014 Gangshan Lantern Festival” kicks off on January 31 (Lunar New Year’s Day) and will run for 15 days. In addition to a creative screw-shaped main lantern, there will be a lantern area highlighting Gangshan’s rural features and a 3D water dance light show. Moreover, the stage performances from Lunar New Year’s Day to the fifth feature international performance troupes like Jiutian Folk Arts Troupe, a stunning opening by celebrity host Dong Zhicheng, and performances by Golden Melody Award-winning artist Huang Fei, singers Tsai Changxian, Lo Shihfeng, Hsu Fukui, Huang Wenhsing, Lin Lianghuan, and Tsai Yide, along with 3D water dance light shows and colorful fireworks displays.
Date: January 31 to February 14
Location: Riverside Park, Gangshan District
The main lantern of the Kaohsiung Gangshan Lantern Festival is designed based on local cultural elements. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)
- 1
- 2