By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
The first illuminated area of the 2013 Taipei Lantern Festival, “Happiness Light Sea,” lit up Zhongshan North Road last night (6th)! The 11-day “2013 Taipei Lantern Festival” will be officially showcased at its main venue in the Taipei Expo Park from February 21 to March 3, where, in addition to various themed lantern zones, the Happiness Light Sea has been launched early along Zhongshan North Road and in parks along the MRT line.
This year’s first wave of light sea stretches along Zhongshan North Road, from Civic Boulevard all the way to the front of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, spanning over one kilometer. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
This year, the Taipei Lantern Festival lights up for the first time before Lunar New Year, making it a uniquely charming destination during the festive holiday. As for the exhibition venues, this is also the first time the location has changed, and the light sea has expanded to two areas: Zhongshan North Road Sections 1 to 3 (from the intersection with Civic Boulevard to the front of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, approximately 2.9 km), and the linear park along the MRT Minquan West Road Station to Yuanshan Station (approximately 1.1 km), totaling 4 km — the longest light sea in the history of the Taipei Lantern Festival.
This year’s festival is themed “Happy Taipei,” choosing Zhongshan North Road — a road that has accompanied Taipei for a century, once the city’s most modern “boulevard of tourism” and a witness to urban transformation — as the exhibition venue. One of the themes of the Happiness Light Sea, “Playful Tour of Taipei City,” extends lights beyond landmarks such as the Grand Hotel, the old Zhongshan Bridge, and Mackay Memorial Hospital. Through adorable bus decorations, it takes the public on a journey through time to see the Zhongshan North Road of memories. The “Lovers’ Wedding Street” theme, inspired by the characteristics of Zhongshan North Road’s wedding street, features two closely connected hearts and the word “Love,” creating an atmosphere full of happiness. Meanwhile, the section in front of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, closest to the main venue of the Taipei Expo Park, will offer the most unique surprises along both sides of the pedestrian walkway, with hanging lanterns paired with wind chimes that tinkle delightfully in the breeze.
As for the content of the linear park along the MRT Minquan West Road to Yuanshan Station, the Taipei City Government has also designed 10 major themes. The recommended visiting route is to exit from Exit 1 of Minquan West Road Station, cross Minquan West Road, and stroll to the right toward Yuanshan, appreciating in sequence “Zhuang Zhou’s Dream of the Butterfly,” “Time of Love,” “Legend of the White Snake,” “Pathway of Time,” “Pathway of Light Canopies,” and “Happiness Light Tree” until reaching Yuanshan Transfer Station, then turning back to continue exploring “Zoo of Memories,” “Kaleidoscope,” “Rolling Future,” and “Yuanshan Culture.” The Taipei Lantern Festival lights up daily from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For more details, please visit the official website: www.taipeilanternfestival.com.
● Read More: Taipei Lantern Festival Mini Lanterns Unveiled, to be Distributed Citywide and at Taipei Expo Park on 2/23
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