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Taiwan travel is a dream for many young adventurers, particularly for those wishing to witness the breathtaking sight of 10,000 glowing sky lanterns soaring into the night sky at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taipei.
Sending hopes and dreams into the sky
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is known to take place only once a year in Taipei. During the event, people write their wishes on sky lanterns and release them into the sky, allowing their dreams to soar high and far. Visitors joining the Taiwan tour during the Pingxi Festival can easily purchase a lantern along the Shifen Old Street, with prices ranging from NT $150 to $200. Here are a few tips for visitors to fully immerse themselves in the magic of the sky lantern experience:
Arrive early to avoid the crowds
Known as one of the most iconic and popular festivals in Taiwan tourism, the Pingxi Festival attracts a large number of both domestic and international tourists during its duration. As a result, you might find yourself surrounded by a massive crowd coming from all directions.
Thousands of lanterns soaring into the sky - illustrative image
To avoid the hassle, consider booking a private vehicle for convenience, allowing you to travel wherever and whenever you like. This way, you won’t have to worry about being squeezed in a crowded subway or, even worse, missing your train. If you're an independent traveler, you can take the journey from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, and then transfer to the Pingxi Line, getting off at Shifen.
Bring a camera
Bringing a good camera to the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is definitely one of the best decisions for your independent travel, as there would be nothing more regrettable than missing these unforgettable moments. Your friends will be in awe when they see the photos capturing thousands of lanterns glowing brightly in the night sky of Taipei, resembling a scene from Disney's famous movie *Tangled*.
Prepare your wishes in advance
Write your wishes on the lanterns - illustrative image
Standing amidst 80,000 people, you might find yourself so distracted that you can’t even focus on your New Year's wishes. It’s best to prepare a list of things you want to write on your lantern in advance to avoid forgetting them.
Take a stroll around the historic streets of Jiufen and Shifen
While waiting for the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival to start, visitors can take a walk to visit Shifen Waterfall, admire the stunning natural scenery of Taipei, or indulge in some delicious Chinese street food at the famous Jiufen Old Street.
Jiufen Old Street - illustrative image
You can experience everything from traditional homemade fish ball skewers to peanut rolled ice cream, sip oolong tea, or try Taiwanese snacks like pineapple cakes and brown sugar mochi cakes.
Explore other places in Taipei
Taipei 101, the symbol of Taipei - illustrative image
After finishing your visit to the Pingxi Festival, if you're still eager to explore more exciting aspects of Taipei, Taiwan travel, you can head to Taipei 101, the iconic landmark of the city, a place you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
In Taipei, you can head straight to the observation deck and marvel at the stunning view that offers a panoramic look at the entire city of Taipei from above.
