By Wei Ruwei | Compiled and Reported
The 2012 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Lukang, Changhua, will run from February 6th (Yuanxiao Festival) to February 19th. The public can view the lanterns starting from the North Lantern Area where the main lantern is located (Lukang Sports Park), along the charming lantern displays on Lukang Zhongshan Road (including Tianhou Temple, Guild Hall, Folklore Museum, and Longshan Temple), and then proceed to the South Lantern Area (Wenwu Temple, Hugan Temple, and Ksitigarbha Temple).
The Zhongshan Road Charming Lantern Area will feature nine differently posed dragon structures, symbolizing various blessings. This is a conceptual reference image. (Image provided by Changhua County Government)
The main lantern show "Soaring Dragon Amidst Rosy Clouds" at Lukang Sports Park stands 20 meters tall, soaring above undulating waves of dynamic clouds. Thousands of illuminated sail sculptures surround the entire stadium, while the lantern-switching stage directly facing the main lantern is a giant ancient ship stretching 100 meters long, depicting the former prosperity of the “One Prefecture, Two Lukangs, Three Manka” era.
The Zhongshan Road Charming Lantern Area will recreate the legend of Lukang’s “Sky-less Street” with dragons coiling through the sky. In front of Tianhou Temple’s square, a secondary lantern themed around the Goddess Mazu, titled “Heavenly Holy Mother,” will be displayed. Additionally, around the Lukang Guild Hall and Osmanthus Lane Art Village, a traditional toy lantern area will be set up, featuring iconic Lukang toys such as spinning tops, bamboo dragonflies, Lu Ban locks, and tangram puzzles, enhanced with LED technology to create a fairytale-like magical light experience for both adults and children. The South Lantern Area will focus on calligraphy art, incorporating the existing landscape and inviting 12 artists to transform their expertise into light displays using calligraphic styles.
The plaza in front of the Guild Hall will use natural materials like rattan and bamboo to construct elements evoking ancient imagery. This is a conceptual reference image. (Image provided by Changhua County Government)
For this lantern festival, seven additional parking lots have been set up around Lukang for visitors, including: Changbin Xianxi, Changbin Lukang, Ludong, Jiaxing, Bin 4, Outer Ring North, and Outer Ring South. There will also be frequent shuttle buses (running every 5–10 minutes during peak hours) to transport visitors to and from the lantern displays.
In addition, shuttle buses will directly connect high-speed rail Wuri Station, Changhua Railway Station, and Yuanlin Railway Station to the Lukang Lantern Area. Shuttle service hours are 14:00–20:00 on weekdays and 12:00–20:00 on holidays for entry; departure service hours are 15:00–22:30 on weekdays and 13:00–22:30 on holidays. The public is encouraged to make use of these services.
For more information about the lantern festival, please visit the official website at 2012taiwanlantern.net
The traditional Yuanxiao Festival lantern riddle guessing event will be held at the square in front of Longshan Temple. This is a conceptual reference image. (Image provided by Changhua County Government)