What is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
The Pingxi Lantern Festival is one of the best events for international students in Taipei. It should appear on the top of your to-do list in Taipei. The festival is renowned for having a series of coordinated releases of hundreds of sky lanterns at the same time. It’s a breathtaking sight to see the sky filled with hundreds of glowing lanterns.
The Pingxi Lantern Festival occurs every year, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City. The Lantern Festival is next held on February 24, 2024.
If you are traveling to Pingxi and Shifen to participate in the festival, then you might want to check out the Shifen Waterfall while you are there. See our ARTICLE here about the Shifen Waterfall and how to get there.
History of the Pingxi Lantern Festival
The Pingxi Lantern Festival, also known as the “Sky Lantern Festival,” has deep cultural and historical roots. Its origins can be traced back to the early 19th century when Pingxi was a coal mining town. Miners used the lanterns to signal that the area was safe, as well as to pray for good fortune and safety in their work. Over time, this practice evolved into the grand festival we know today.
Meaning of the Lanterns
The star of the festival is, of course, the lanterns themselves. These lanterns come in various colors and shapes, each carrying a unique meaning. Traditionally, red lanterns are used to symbolize good luck and ward off evil spirits, while other colors represent different wishes, such as yellow for wealth and prosperity, and blue for career success.
Releasing a sky lantern during the festival is a deeply personal and meaningful experience. Participants often write their wishes and prayers on the lanterns, turning them into floating carriers of hope. As the lanterns ascend into the night sky, they carry these wishes with them, creating a breathtaking display of hope and unity. It’s believed that these lanterns carry their wishes and prayers to the heavens.
Where is the Pingxi Lantern Festival?
The Pingxi Lantern launches are not at Pingxi Station! Although Pingxi Station is known as THE place to launch your sky lanterns all year around. However, for the Pingxi Lantern Festival, the sky lanterns are not launched at the Pingxi Station.
Many international students who want to go to the festival end up missing the most important part because they do not know where to go. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is usually a multi-day event held at Jingtong Elementary School, Pingxi Junior High School, and Shifen Sky Lantern Square. Shifen Sky Lantern Square is the site of the final and main event. This is the highlight of the festival and the one you don’t want to miss. The launches are usually between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Locations: Jingtong Elementary School (No.45, Jingtong St.), Pingxi Junior High School (No.92, Shidi St.), and Shifen Sky Lantern Square (No.136, Nanshanping) of Pingxi Dist., Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
Directions
- Shuttle Bus: New Taipei City usually arranges a special shuttle bus on the event day in the following locations:
- Taipei Zoo (NT$50)
- National Highway No.5 Shiding Interchange (NT$30)
- TRA Ruifang Station (NT$30)
- Train: From Taipei Main Station (台北車站), take a northbound train towards Ruifang Station (瑞芳站). The journey takes about 45 minutes. Once you reach Ruifang, transfer to the Pingxi Line (平溪支線) to Shifen Station (十分站).
- Regular Bus: Travel to Muzha Station via MRT Wenhu Line. From Muzha Station, take the #795 bus to Shifen Old Street. This option might be slower than the train, but at least you don’t have to transfer.