The Lantern Festival is all about enjoying the beautiful lantern displays ! A comparison of the 6 major lantern festival main lanterns across Taiwan in 2016

▲ The main lantern of the Taipei Lantern Festival , the Fortune - Prosperity Monkey . ( Photo / Courtesy of Taipei City Government ’ s Civil Affairs Bureau )

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Lantern Festival is approaching , and lantern festival events are kicking off all over Taiwan ! Taiwanese people traditionally visit lantern festivals during this time to admire the lanterns and join in the festive atmosphere . Ever since the main lantern of the Taipei Lantern Festival , the “ Fortune - Prosperity Monkey ” , was unveiled , it has sparked quite a buzz and become a popular search keyword online . In fact , the main lanterns at various lantern zones across Taiwan each have their own unique features ,Below , we’ve rounded up six lantern zone main lanterns— come see just how special they are !

1 . Taipei Lantern Festival
The main lantern of the 2016 Taipei Lantern Festival , the “ Fortune - Prosperity Monkey ” , was created by internationally renowned multimedia artist Lin Shumin . It features an unprecedented irregularly - curved light sculpture standing 14.2 meters tall . Its exterior is shaped like a “ gourd ” , drawing from traditional cultural symbolism where the gourd represents “ fortune and prosperity ” and “ fertility and good fortune ” . The main lantern was playfully named the “ Fortune - Prosperity Monkey ” based on the gourd ’ s homophone . The peaches and goldfish on the monkey carry wishes for “ longevity ” and “ abundance every year ” .

Date : February 20 , 2016 ~ February 29 , 2016
Location : Hua - Bao Yuanshan Park

▲ The main lantern of the Taiwan Lantern Festival , “ Supreme Creation Bringing Great Fortune ” . ( Photo / By reporter Lai Wen - xuan )

2 . Taoyuan Taiwan Lantern Festival
For the first time ever , the 2016 Taiwan Lantern Festival was held in Taoyuan City . It kicked off on February 22 in front of the Taoyuan High - Speed Rail Station Plaza and was divided into 6 major lantern zones . The main lantern and smaller lanterns were designed with themes from Journey to the West and crafted using LED lights to create a 26 - meter - tall Monkey King . Additionally , a glass lantern called “ Cosmic Tower ” was created — the first lantern design in history to primarily use glass as its material .

Date : February 22 , 2016 ~ March 6 , 2016
Location : Areas around Taoyuan Qingpu High - Speed Rail Station

▲ One of the main lanterns at the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival — the “ Trendy Big - Mouth Monkey ” . ( Photo / Eastern News )

3 . Central Taiwan Lantern Festival
The 2016 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival took place from February 17 to 29 at three locations : Taichung Park , Qingshui Port Art Center , and Fengyuan Huludun Park . Themed “ Playful Taichung ” , the 13 - day event featured main lanterns at each site : the “ Big - Mouth Monkey ” at both Taichung Park and Qingshui , and the “ Monkey So Cool ” at Fengyuan Huludun Park .

Date : At three locations — Taichung Park , Qingshui Port Art Center , and Fengyuan Huludun Park
Location : February 17 , 2016 ~ February 29 , 2016

▲ The main lantern of the Nantou Lantern Festival , “ Monkey Brings Good Fortune ” , located at Wuchang Temple Plaza . ( Photo / From Nantou County Government )

4 . Nantou Lantern Festival
The main lantern of the Nantou Lantern Festival , “ Monkey Brings Good Fortune ” , is situated right in front of Wuchang Temple . It depicts the Monkey King leading a troop of monkeys as they climb high to gaze into the distance , symbolizing fertility and good fortune . Holding a peach in its hand — playing on the Taiwanese homophone where “ peach ” sounds like “ fortune ” — it conveys the meaning of “ Monkey Brings Good Fortune ( to Nantou ) ” , sending blessings to all visitors and the people of Taiwan , and ushering in good luck for the Year of the Monkey .

Date : February 6 , 2016 ~ February 29 , 2016
Location : Jiji Town Holiday Plaza in Nantou County , and at Jiji , Zhuoshui , and Checheng train stations
Main lantern location : Wuchang Temple in Jiji

▲ The main lantern of the Pingtung Lantern Festival — Sweet Potato . ( Photo / Provided by Pingtung County Government )

5 . Pingtung Lantern Festival
The Pingtung County Government hosted the 2016 “ Jade Monkey Ascends , Celebrating the Lantern Festival ” blessing and lantern - lighting event . The main lantern , “ Sweet Potato ” , symbolizes deep roots in the land and everlasting vitality . Created by artist Huang Ying - quan , it resembles a sweet potato and also a large whale , covered in colorful fabrics representing diverse ethnic groups — including Hakka tung blossom fabric , indigenous tribal patterns , and Southeast Asian elements from new residents — highlighting Pingtung ’ s characteristic of “ a harmonious and prosperous multicultural community ” .

2016 "Jade Monkey Brings Auspiciousness to Celebrate Lantern Festival" Prayer and Lighting Event
Time: Now until 02/29
Location: Shengli Cultural and Creative Park

▲ Hualien County’s hottest “Red-faced Duck” appears in the main lantern area at Liyu Lake. (Photo provided by Hualien County Government)

6. Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival
The Hualien Pacific Lantern Festival features two main lantern areas in the Sixth Redevelopment Zone and Liyu Lake, showcasing the latest water-and-land dynamic lantern displays. Highlights include a spectacular water light technology show, a blue killer whale light show, and the popular 3D light curtain water dance performance of the “Red-faced Duck.” Attracting millions of visitors every year, it has become one of Taiwan’s most renowned lantern festivals.

Time: Now until 02/29
Location: Sixth Redevelopment Zone, Hualien City, and Liyu Lake Scenic Area.

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