Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

When: Lantern Festival night in February (movable date tied to the lunar calendar), with surrounding weekend activities.

Where: Pingxi District, New Taipei, Taiwan - centered on the old Pingxi railway settlements such as Shifen and Pingxi town.

Cost: Watching from streets and viewpoints is generally free; organized lantern-release packages and guided events usually charge a fee.

Don’t miss: Launching a lantern from the old railway tracks at Shifen as dusk falls and seeing the valley fill with warm light.

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is the most visible expression of Taiwan’s Lantern Festival traditions: communities and visitors write wishes on paper lanterns and release them to float over the narrow rail valley. The custom grew from rural signalling and folk rituals into a mass-public event after local revival efforts turned Pingxi’s atmospheric mining towns into a lantern hub.

Events cluster along the historic Pingxi Line - the tiny railway that links Shifen, Pingxi and nearby hamlets - where narrow streets, old station platforms and hillside paths become launch points. The mood ranges from reverent to celebratory: families and couples, tour groups and photographers gather to light, send and photograph lanterns against silhouetted hills and the town lights below.

The festival aligns with the Lantern Festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month), which usually falls in February but moves with the lunar calendar. The single peak night - when most released lanterns light the sky - is the Lantern Festival evening, though many towns stage related activities across the surrounding weekend.

Expect the busiest moments after sunset on the main Lantern Festival night; smaller, quieter launches occur the nights before and after in nearby villages.

Fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and travel to central New Taipei/Taipei by airport bus or taxi; from Taipei Main Station take the TRA train to Ruifang then the local Pingxi Line toward Shifen or Pingxi station. Trains, buses and limited shuttle services fill fast on festival dates, so arrive at least a day early and book accommodation and any guided-release tickets well in advance.

• Respect local rules: some release sites and official events require tickets or use designated launch zones - follow staff instructions and signage.

• Be fire-aware: lanterns have an open flame; wear non-flammable clothing and keep a safe distance when lighting and releasing.

• Dress for February evenings in New Taipei, which can be cool and damp - layers, a windproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes are essential.

• Bring cash for lanterns, food stalls and small local services; card acceptance can be limited in village shops.

• Expect crowds and narrow streets: arrive early to claim a good launch spot or viewpoint, and allow extra time for trains and buses.

• Consider booking an organized lantern package or guided trip if you want a guaranteed release and smoother logistics, but verify environmental and safety measures first.