By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin
Remember the ever-changing Christmas tree from the 2012 New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town event that everyone couldn’t stop taking photos of? As Lunar New Year approaches, the resident Santa Claus in New Taipei City’s Happy Christmas Town has donned new attire, transforming into a jubilant God of Fortune, with his little bear still by his side. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s tallest Christmas tree has also been given a makeover. From today until February 24, a spectacular 3-minute-and-50-second New Year light show will be staged every hour on the hour from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. At the same time, the God of Fortune Santa Claus will climb a heavenly ladder to ascend the 35-meter-tall Fortune Tree, standing high above to shower everyone with abundant good fortune.
The bamboo landmark in front of New Taipei City Hall will feature a New Year light show, with Santa Claus transformed into the God of Fortune climbing a ladder to reach the Fortune Tree. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
Since its opening in December last year, the 2012 New Taipei City Happy Christmas Town has accompanied everyone through various joyful moments with its ever-changing appearance. After the Christmas holidays ended, Santa Claus put on a festive Chinese cotton-padded jacket and transformed into the Lucky God of Fortune who brings blessings. The bamboo landmark has also become a Fortune Tree that attracts wealth and prosperity. It still features high-tech LED full-color animated displays, using colors and patterns symbolic of the Chinese New Year — such as “Abundance Year After Year,” “Lion Dance Bringing Auspiciousness,” and the “Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity” — along with themes rich in joyful symbolism. Paired with spring couplets, firecrackers, gold ingots representing wealth, and copper coins, the animations change continuously to lively celebratory music, instantly turning the Civic Plaza in front of New Taipei City Hall into a joyous family reunion courtyard, full of Lunar New Year atmosphere. Those unable to visit in person can also enjoy the “2013 New Taipei City New Year Fortune Tree Light Show” online. Online viewing URL: tour.ntpc.gov.tw/page.aspx?wtp=1&wnd=171&kw=&id=165.
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