Page 72 - Globale Traveler

bucket list | TAIWAN

Beacons of Hope

Watch in wonder as your wishes soar skyward at a Taiwan lantern festival. BY ILONA KAUREMSZKY

LIGHT UP THE FIRST FULL MOON BATHES the night sky touching and even romantic as people write their INFO TO GO
THE NIGHT: across Taiwan. That’s when the Island of Formosa, dreams and wishes onto the lantern to release in the
(Left to right) Fireworks meaning “beautiful island,” takes on a whole new night sky, hoping it would come true,” says Stella International flights
show at Taiwan Ying at the Regent Taipei as she shows a guest the arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan
Lantern Festival in vibe. International Airport,
Chiayi, the Pingxi Sky It’s as if this cosmopolitan hub of speed trains, small in-room lantern placed in all the rooms over located 25 miles west of
Lantern Festival, and night markets and the world’s tallest green building the weekend. It’s just one of the complimentary Taipei in Taoyuan. Trav-
New Taipei City street shifts into low gear. Why wouldn’t it? The annual tokens provided to guests staying at this luxury hotel elers use shuttle buses
scene during the Pingxi Lantern Festival has arrived. during the Lantern Festival. and the skytrain for
festival As jetsetters from mainland China and interna- Held on the first full moon of the Chinese Lunar terminal connections. A
PHOTOS: © CHON KIT tional wanderlusters hit the urban streets to partake New Year, the festival pays homage to hope and high-speed rail service
LEONG | DREAMSTIME, in an ancient Chinese invention dating back more new tidings through hubs across Taiwan, with a
© RICHIE CHAN | conveniently connects to
DREAMSTIME, than two millennia, the glowing bulbous paper lan- special nod, of course, to the animal revered in the all major cities. Purchase
© NICHOLASHAN | terns drift like hundreds of jellyfish toward the stars. Chinese zodiac. Ever since the Tourism Bureau of a high-speed rail shuttle
DREAMSTIME
While the interpretations of the lantern release the Ministry of Transportation and Communica- bus ticket ($1) at arrivals
changed over the centuries (originally military- tions in Taiwan resurrected the festival in 1990, the by terminals 1 and 2,
related, later the lanterns became symbols of hope celebration has been a crowd-pleaser. While the then head to the THSR
and prayer released by farmers in spring), witness- country declares one county as the mother ship of Taoyuan Station. Tickets
ing these brilliant beacons is a bucket list-worthy the Taiwan lantern festival, other hubs also ring in range from $5. Car
phenomenon not to be missed. lantern parties in the most delightful ways. rentals, tour buses and
“The sky lantern is considered culturally and Get ready for a special ode to the lantern in the taxis are available. Cab
historically significant in Taiwan, and many find it Year of the Dog. Here are two not-to-miss places for fare averages $31.

72 globaltravelerusa.com FEBRUARY 2018