By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
Traditional, heart-shaped, pumpkin-shaped – we’ve seen all kinds of sky lantern designs. For the 2013 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in New Taipei City, a snake-shaped sky lantern will take center stage ! This year’s main lantern for the Lantern Festival, the “Green Little Dragon,” features a plump, coiled body spiraling upward, with half-closed eyes and a tiny red tongue sticking out – an adorable and endearing sight. Meanwhile, the “Love Character Poll,” which generated intense online voting last month, crowned the character “Ban” (companion), depicting two people leaning on each other, as the “2013 Love Character.”
In the “Love Character Poll” held last month, “Ban” won first place with 1,572 votes. (Image provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
There are heart-shaped lanterns for Valentine’s Day, pumpkin lanterns for Halloween, and for the Year of the Snake’s Lantern Festival, the organizer – New Taipei City’s Tourism Bureau – overcame production and launching challenges to specially create a large snake-shaped main lantern, the “Green Little Dragon.” The real Green Little Dragon will make its first appearance on February 24, the 15th day of the Lunar New Year (Lantern Festival), at the “Hand in Hand for Reunion, Joyful Lantern Festival” event at Shifen Square, where the public will witness the 12-meter-long snake-shaped lantern gracefully ascending into the sky.
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival isn’t only lively during the Spring Festival period. Warm-up events began as early as January, among which the “Love Character Poll” attracted numerous online voters. By the January 25 deadline, the total number of votes reached 8,888, with the top vote-getter “Ban” receiving support from 1,572 people, reflecting many people’s desire to have a loved one by their side for mutual support. At the “Starry Nights, Happiness Soaring” lantern event held on February 14 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year) at Jing Tong Elementary School, the 2013 Love Character “Ban” will be written on a sky lantern, emitting the sweetest vibes as it slowly ascends.
Due to the huge annual turnout for the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, the New Taipei City Government has strengthened traffic control and implemented convenient transport measures. On February 17 (the eighth day of the Lunar New Year) and February 24 (Lantern Festival), comprehensive vehicle restrictions will be enforced for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles from 10:00 to 24:00. Restricted areas include the intersection of Provincial Highway 106 and 106B at Shuangxi Kou, the area in front of the Shihui Bao Tunnel on Highway 106B at Shuangxi Kou, Zhuangjing Bridge, the entrances and exits of Shifen Scenic Area, the entrance to Ping-Shuang Tunnel (entrance to Shuangxi Mana Villa), and the intersection of Ruiping Highway and Dingping Highway (Ruifang Industrial Area).
This year’s giant snake-shaped main lantern, the “Green Little Dragon,” will soar into the sky on the day of the Lantern Festival. (Image provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
To accommodate traffic controls, shuttle buses have been arranged. Fares range from NT$10 to NT$50 for the uphill journey, while the downhill ride is free. Train travelers should note that Pingxi Line schedules differ on festival days; please check the Taiwan Railways Administration website for details. Additionally, on February 17, trains on the Pingxi Line will operate in two segments: Ruifang (Houtong)–Pingxi, and Pingxi–Jingtong. Passengers heading to Jingtong Station must transfer at Pingxi Station. On February 24, trains will run between Ruifang (Houtong)–Shifen, and Shifen–Jingtong. Passengers traveling to stations between Shifen and Jingtong must transfer at Shifen Station. Taiwan Railways Administration website: www.railway.gov.tw.
● Read more: Ringing in the New Year – New Taipei’s Lunar New Year Gift Market Offers Half-Price Souvenirs
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