By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
The 2012 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival runs from January 27 to February 6. It is the earliest lantern festival in the country and the only one held on a waterfront in Asia. In addition to featuring the nation’s only harbor water dance and fireworks show, visitors can also listen to the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival theme song “Water Lantern Love Song” by the Love River, release water lanterns, and taste the first-ever lantern-themed meal.
Kaohsiung unveils the nation’s only harbor water dance and fireworks show, this is a simulation photo. (Photo / ScenicSpot Li Xinyi)
Chen Shengshan, Director of the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, said that this year’s Kaohsiung Lantern Festival includes many innovations, such as the first-ever maritime art gallery featuring the Dragon Character Culture and water dance fireworks. The festival will kick off at 7 p.m. in three areas — Qishan (1/27), Gangshan (1/28), and Glory Pier & Love River (1/29) — in rotation. Activities include the Naked Dragon Blessing, the Fortune-Turning Light Car, the Flying Dragon in the Sky with Double Dragons Bestowing Auspiciousness, and the Romantic Love River Water Lantern Blessing. Additionally, visitors can also stop by the newly opened Buddha Memorial Center at Fo Guang Shan.
This year’s Kaohsiung Lantern Festival will be held successively in Qishan, Gangshan, as well as at Love River and Glory Pier. (Photo / ScenicSpot Li Xinyi)
The “Lantern-Themed Meal,” launched for the first time this year, is created by combining local Kaohsiung ingredients with renowned chefs’ expertise. It will be available in limited quantities daily at Kaohsiung’s True Love Pier during the event period. In addition, well-known hotels and restaurants in Kaohsiung will also pair lantern-themed meals with their New Year’s Eve dishes. Visitors coming to Kaohsiung for New Year’s cuisine can also purchase lanterns at discounted rates at hotels, then head to the Love River to release them and pray for good fortune in the new year.
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Public Transport Transfer Plan
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Lantern Festival Locations |
Route Names |
MRT Transfer Points |
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January 27 Qishan Drum Mountain Park |
National Freeway Express Bus (free ride) |
High-Speed Rail Zuoying Station |
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January 28 Gangshan Riverside Park |
Red 69, Red 70 (free ride), Red 71 (free ride) |
MRT Qiaotou Railway Station |
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January 29 Glory Pier |
Red 20 |
MRT Central Park Station |
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Fo Guang Shan |
Yida Bus 8501 |
High-Speed Rail Zuoying Station |
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Kaohsiung Bus 8010, 8011 |
Kaohsiung Railway Station, MRT Fongshan West Station |
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival official website: www.2012khl.com