THE first two months of the year is full of celebration, not only in the Philippines but around the world. Right after the New Year, we have our local festivals, then leading to the Chinese New Year. In Taiwan, one of the much-awaited events is the Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi, New Taipei City.
Releasing sky lanterns is a long-standing tradition in Chinese societies. But due to environmental concerns, Pingxi is the only place in Taiwan where the government allowed the releasing of sky lanterns. They also have a digital lantern option for those who prefer it. The Sky Lantern Festival takes place usually during the Lunar New Year period and another one during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Although thousands of people flock to Pingxi during the lantern festivals, you can go there any time of the year to release sky lanterns. Carrying on a tradition, visitors write their wishes on the lanterns before they light it and let it go. The lanterns are huge and there are locals who will assist you in lighting them and sending them off properly. You can choose the type of lantern you want and which color you prefer. For the digital version, the wishes are written on a postcard and the lantern is shown on a giant LED screen being sent out.
It used to be a coal mining village, which is now a major tourist attraction. The Taiwan Coal Museum is where you will find people releasing the lanterns along the railroad tracks and where rows of shops and eateries are lined up on both sides. There are several shops that sell the lanterns, some souvenirs, and a lot of food, which travelers can feast on. The railway is still being used and the train comes every now and then. When that occurs, people clear the railroad.
Its old atmosphere emits a warm vibe that makes people feel at ease. The surrounding mountains provide a touch of serene mood that balances the excitement of lighting and releasing a sky lantern. Visitors can walk through the length of the shops towards a suspension bridge overlooking a peaceful river. Pingxi literally means “calm” or “peaceful,” and it is where the Keelung River originates.
People can hike from Pingxi to the magnificent and breathtaking Shifen Waterfall. It is often regarded as the “Little Niagara of Taiwan” because of its horseshoe shape and width spanning at 40 meters with water cascading powerfully. There’s also the Lingjiao Waterfall, a five-minute walk from the Lingjiao Train station.
If you want to feel the vibe of the old mining village, send your wishes to the skies, or simply enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature, you can visit Pingxi and enjoy what it can offer. It is even more fun to do this during a lantern festival. It’s very near Taipei, so it’s easy to get to Pingxi by car or train.
All photos are by this author unless otherwise stated. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and @firsttimetravelsblog on Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels blog.