On the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, Pingxi District releases thousands of sky lanterns simultaneously: one of the most visually striking public events in Asia.
The Pingxi Lantern Festival takes place on Yuanxiao, the fifteenth and final day of Lunar New Year, in the mountain town of Pingxi, around 30 kilometres from central Taipei. Thousands of paper sky lanterns are released into the night sky simultaneously, each one painted with the year's wishes by the person launching it. At peak release times, the valley above Pingxi is completely obscured by ascending lanterns. The spectacle lasts approximately 90 minutes from around 6pm. The event is broadcast live nationally and draws both Taiwanese families and an increasing number of international visitors, with attendance across the evening estimated at 40,000–60,000.
The practical experience requires some planning. The Pingxi Branch Line departs from Ruifang station (itself on the main rail line from Taipei) and terminates at Jingtong. Trains on the branch line run every 30 minutes on normal days but are supplemented significantly on the festival evening. The recommended approach is to take an early afternoon train (before 2pm) to avoid the worst inbound crowds, find a position along the river, and stay until the lanterns dissipate. Outbound trains run late but queues at Shifen and Pingxi stations can exceed an hour after the main release. Buying lanterns from riverside stalls costs NT$150–200 (about £4–5 each). Each lantern comes with a small card to write your intention before it is sealed and lit.
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Day-by-day breakdown
Take the main TRA line from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, then change to the Pingxi Branch Line for Pingxi or Shifen. Arrive early to secure a position along the river embankment where lantern releases are best viewed. Riverside food stalls sell noodles, grilled skewers, and local mountain vegetables from midday. The branch line operates heritage-style diesel railcars that pass over the old stone bridge: arrive early enough to walk across it in daylight.
Organised group releases begin at 6pm with the largest coordinated release at approximately 7pm. Lanterns climb to 300–400 metres before drifting south over the valley. Small family and independent releases happen continuously throughout the evening. The sky is clearest and the spectacle most impressive in the 30 minutes following the organised release. Photography with any camera works; long exposures of 2–5 seconds capture the lantern trails.
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
Getting to Taipei Lantern Festival from Shanghai