New Taipei City Travel

In the night of Lantern Festival, sky lanterns slowly fly upward, carrying people’s wishes into the night sky. The beautiful scene can be seen at the most representative festival in New Taipei City. Since 1999, New Taipei City government has held Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi on Lantern Festival that falls on January 15 of the lunar calendar, and it is the grandest annual festival of the mountain town of Pingxi. For over twenty years, numerous tourists from home and abroad have attended the festival to light up sky lanterns, flying them into the night sky with their dreams and wishes.Multiple Origins of Sky Lanterns“Please help us!” During the Three-Kingdom Period, Zhuge Kongming (Zhuge Liang), the prime minister of Empire of Shu-Han, sent large paper lanterns up to the sky to deliver military messages by following the principle of rise of hot air when he and his soldiers were besieged by the enemy, and they eventually got out of the predicament. This the most well-known origin of the sky lantern, so it is also known as Kongming lantern. Others think the sky lantern gets the name of Kongming lantern because it shapes like the silk ribbon scarf of Kongming. Like Internet and other inventions, the sky lantern originated from military technology. The sky lantern has been considered the originator of the hot-air balloon, and the threshold of humans’ flying dream. The sky lantern first appeared in the battlefield in Europe when Mongolia went on an expedition to the west. Five hundred years later, the first hot-air balloon carrying passengers rose to the sky in Paris.Praying for Blessings at Lantern Festival After sky lanterns go about among people, the release of sky lanterns has become a folk activity for people to pray for blessings. Since ancient times, there has been the custom of releasing sky lanterns at Lantern Festival which is the birthday of Heavenly Lord Tian Guan, and the sky lantern is a medium for people to pray for blessings to the God. Pingxi District, New Taipei City is located at the upper reaches of Keelung River. In the beginning of the 19th century, immigrants from Fujian were harassed by bandits from time to time when they reclaimed Pingxi, and sky lanterns were used as tools to mark themselves safe. In the 1990s, Pingxi started the revival movement for sky lantern culture, attracting tourists to release sky lanterns in the mountain town. The activity has become the most famous one in Pingxi. Moreover, with the help of popular movies, Pingxi sky lanterns have become well-known around the world.Unique Climate and Terrain of PingxiWhen it comes to sky lanterns, people think of Pingxi. However, why is Pingxi so closely related to sky lanterns? In accordance with current laws and regulations, Pingxi is the only area in Taiwan where sky lanterns can be released outside. Pingxi is one of the areas in Taiwan with the most rainy days, and it has a relative humidity of over 75% often. Damp environment prevents sky lanterns from wreaking havoc after they fall to the ground. Additionally, Pingxi is surrounded by mountains on four sides, and there is no airport nearby, which ensures that sky lanterns only fly in the mountainous area of Pingxi without disturbing flights, making Pingxi the best location to release sky lanterns.Pingxi District is a district in New Taipei City with least population. It was the settlement of the Ketagalan tribe. In the early 19th century, the Han people reclaimed Pingxi, and it became prosperous because of coal mining in the early 20th century. However, it became quiet again after mining ceased. The Pingxi Railway which was open to traffic in 1921 was once doomed to dismantle. Thanks to the endeavors of local people, the railway has turned into a sightseeing railway. The one-hundred-year Pingxi Railway passes by charming railway towns, such as Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong, where you can find magnificent Shifen Waterfalls, and secluded stations rarely known to anyone. Light Pingxi tours are promoted every year during Sky Lantern Festival, and local tour guides would lead tourists to explore mining culture and railways, relishing the beauty of the mountain town.New Taipei City Pingxi Sky Lantern FestivalNew Taipei City government held the first Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in 1999, and this year marks the 26th anniversary of the event. It is the most famous ceremony for Lantern Festival in northern Taiwan. The Sky Lantern Festival enjoys the fame with the beehive fireworks in Yanshui, Tainan as we always say “sky lanterns in the north, and beehive fireworks in the south.” The two festivals have repeatedly been selected the must-see festivals by travel websites. Two sessions of releasing sky lanterns are held each year at Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, which are on the day of Lantern Festival and one weekend before the festival. Quiet a few sky lanterns are allowed to be released each time in each section. When over one hundred sky lanterns are released at the same time, the dreamlike scene brightens up the night sky of the mountain town of Pingxi.👉Official website of 2024 Pingxi Sky Lantern FestivalSky Lantern Festival each year features the Chinese zodiac sign of that year. The main lantern that is up to 20 feet tall presents excellent sky lantern making craftsmanship. One can write on the sky lantern made with rice paper with a Chinese writing brush. After that, you put paper money inside the lantern as fuel to push it up to the sky.Sky Lantern Festival is the most important event in Pingxi District. Residents, public servants, schools and stores will all devote themselves to the grand occasion by participating in performances and planning fairs. To deal with a great number of tourists, New Taipei City government deploys police and firefighters to maintain the safety of participants, enabling them to enjoy the pleasure of releasing sky lanterns.Mountain Cleanup to Protect EnvironmentSky lanterns carrying blessings and wishes will eventually fall to the ground in the distance after they disappear from sight. To maintain the environment of Pingxi, New Taipei City government holds a mountain cleanup activity and cultural tour after Sky Lantern Festival every year to enable participants to help collect sky lanterns and listen to instructors tirelessly telling stories about Pingxi at the same time.

It's the breaking news for dads and moms. After the Circular Line is open to the public, it's more convenient for parents and children to go on an outing. About popular attractions ideal for parents and children, you should read the information here! "Banqiao 435 Art Zone" has integrated art with life; there are a large lawn and a white sand area in the outdoor field suitable for parents and children; in the art zone, the exhibitions, the Taiwan Toy Museum, and the Wetland Story House are good for educational and entertainment experiences; at noon, parents and children can have lunch at the "Liu Biju Chaozhou Casserole Porridge"; put the rice into the casserole, and boil and simmer the rice with broth, the broth tastes mellow and has abundant ingredients; eating porridge is the best way to warm up on the days when it's getting colder. After lunch, parents can carry on the journey with their children. The signature in Zhonghe, "Yuanshan Park", has a vast area that is facilitated with the inclusive playground equipment for everyone; especially the super-long colorful slides, adults and kids will spend the day to their heart's content. And, the "Dinosaur Park" under the Huazhong Bridge, there're numerous dinosaur art installations as well as 3D paintings; the fans of dinosaur should never miss the place. At night, it's suggested to visit the most popular place of the local, "Lehua Night Market", which is packed with a lot of best-selling snacks and delicacies as well as cloth and shoe shops, a very satisfying destination for shopping and food.Banqiao 435 Art ZoneBanqiao 435 Art Zone is a public space where arts and life are intimately woven together; it is divided into two major themes: Family-Friendly Arts Fantasy Land and Artists’ Dream Base. There are 7 exhibition halls in the Art Zone, and a series of classes and exhibitions are also designed to offer entertaining and educational experiences for tourists and families. The “Wetland Story House” offers exhibitions and detailed information on wetland ecosystem, providing a comprehensive experience-learning environment. Taiwan Toy Museum, on the other hand, displays nearly three thousand pieces of rarely seen toys from past to present, from Taiwan to around the world, as well as several hundreds of traditional kid toys, educational games, and a temple festival game area; in addition to experiencing with your own hands and playing all the educational games, there are also many kinds of outdoor toys and games. If you are interested in going to exhibitions, there are now currently several dozens of artists stationed in the Art Zone, who come from diverse backgrounds including performing art, contemporary visual art, three-dimensional sculpture, designing, and music.info.Location and Address: No. 435, Zhongzhen Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-29690366Opening Hours: 09:00~17:00 Monday through Friday; 09:00~18:00 Saturday and Sunday; Art Zone Closing Times: First Monday of every month (but will be open on a public holiday).The traffic information from the Banqiao MRT Station to the Banqiao 435 Art ZoneAt the Banqiao MRT Station, take Bus No. 310, 307, 810, 857, 786 and get off at "Banqiao Junior High School, Banqiao 435 Art Zone".Banqiao 435 Art Zone's informationLiu Biju Chaozhou Casserole PorridgeThere're many different methods to cook porridge; Guangdong porridge and Taiwanese salty congee are the common cuisines for general customers. In recent years, the casserole porridge becomes popular in Banqiao due to the use of Taitung Guanshan Emperor Rice as the main ingredient; particularly, not until the guests make an order, the rice won't be put into the casserole. The rice is cooked with sea tangle broth and the nut sauce, which is a paste made of ground cashew nuts, pine nuts, peanuts, etc.; as a result, the broth tastes an extraordinary mellow and refreshing flavor, and it's strongly recommended by the gourmands who love porridge.info.Location and Address: No. 3, Mingquan Rd., Banqiao Dist., New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-29528813Opening Hours: Monday ~ Thursday 11:30-14:00, 17:30-22:40/ Friday 11:30-14:00, 17:30-23:10/ Saturday and Sunday 11:30-14:00, 17:00-23:10The traffic information from the Banqiao 435 Art Zone to the Liu Biju Chaozhou Casserole PorridgeTake the Bus No. 310, 307, 810, 857, 786 and get off at Banqiao. Walk toward Xinzhan Road for about 8 minutes.Liu Biju Chaozhou Casserole Porridge's informationYuanshan ParkIt doesn't take a trip abroad to find featured parks. In New Taipei City, there are numerous featured parks. Located in Zhonghe, Yuanshan Park is a kid's wonderland and playground; it's a must-go destination for mom and dad to come with their kids! About an area of 3 hectares, the big park is facilitated with the inclusive playground equipment, the PU floor is safe protection. Built along the terrain, the tunnel net and climbing wall are the place to train kid's hand-foot coordination; besides the general type swings, there are bird's nest swings and diaper swings available for kids in different ages to enjoy the fun going up and down; the giant sandpit with a vine-shaped hand-foot bathing basin aside, it's convenient to wash the hands and feet after playing in the sand. The biggest highlight is absolutely the colorful terrazzo slide with a super-long length! Whoosh~~ a sort of speedy sliding enjoyment. Next to it, the grass slop is the best for exciting skating; people should remember to bring the skateboards.info.Location and Address: Ln. 455, Yuanshan Rd., Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-29603456 (Public Works Department, New Taipei City Government)Opening Hours: It's open 24 hours a day.The traffic information from the Liu Biju Chaozhou Casserole Porridge to the Yuanshan ParkTake the Circular Line and get off at the Zhongyuan Station. It takes a 15-minute walk to reach the destination.Yuanshan Park's informationDinosaur ParkUnder the Huazhong Bridge, there's a large Dinosaur Park; since the Huazhong Bridge 3D paintings were launched in 2014, Taiwan's only one Dinosaur Park next to Riverside Bike Path has been planned. It's a place of amazing art installations for taking amazing photos, including little tyrannosaurus, triceratops, little stegosaurus, dinosaur egg, and a hanging pterosaur overlooking the area. (The photos are provided by the Water Resources Department, New Taipei City Government)info.Location and Address: Under the Huazhong Bridge, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-22482688 (Zhonghe District Office)Opening Hours: It's open all year round.The traffic information from the Yuanshan Park to the Dinosaur ParkTake the Circular Line and get off at the Qiaohe MRT Station. It takes about a 5-minute walk.Dinosaur Park's informationLehua Night MarketWhen evening creeps in and the street lights go on, the Lehua Night Market turns Yonghe into a city of the night. Foods from all over the world are gathered here, from Taiwanese oyster pancakes and fried chicken to Hong Kong curry fish balls, Japanese oden, and Thai papaya salad. Visitors cannot help but eat as they stroll through the market. One of the oldest stands is a place called Hsuehua Shaved Ice. It serves a meticulously prepared dessert with simple but hearty toppings.info.Location and Address: Yongping Road, Yonghe District, New Taipei City (Near the metro's Yongan Market Station)Contact Phone Number: 886-2-29282828Opening Hours: 17:00-01:00The traffic information from the Dinosaur Park to the Lehua Night MarketTake the Circular Line and get off at the Jing'an MRT Station. Transfer to Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at the Dingxi MRT Station. Walk along Yonghe Road for about 10 minutes.Lehua Night Market's informationReturn Trip Traffic InformationWalk along Yonghe Road to reach the Dingxi MRT Station, and transfer to either MRT Line that reaches your home.Circular Line MAP