TripZilla
Image credits: Jirka Matousek
Different places celebrate the Chinese New Year in so many diverse, fascinating ways. One of the most spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, held in a small town of Taipei County, just an hour’s drive from Taipei.
Image credits: Kyle Wang
The festival features the release of over 100,000 hot air lanterns into the sky. The lantern launching was originally done to inform refugees that the town was safe from threats. Today, the tradition has evolved into a huge lantern festival, drawing thousands of spectators around the world.
Before releasing the lanterns, participants can select the lantern colour and write their wishes on the lantern. It is believed that these wishes are sent to heaven and they will bring good fortune. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is celebrated every Chinese New Year, usually between mid-January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar. This 2015, however, it will be celebrated on March 5.
Don’t miss this the grand CNY celebration when you visit Taiwan this March.
