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this bucket-list party. crowds converge at this shrine to the lantern located in a part of
High in the cloud forest in Chiayi County, home of the famous New Taipei City surrounded by mountains. Residents of Pingxi See why
sunrise on the Alishan Mountain Range, festival goers reach heav- originally released sky lanterns to let others know the town was safe. Discovery
enly elevations for the Lunar New Year cheer. This year’s Taiwan Dedicated scribes to the art of lantern making can now create their Channel rated
Lantern Festival, March 2–11, unites three of the five elements — own artful lantern with a wellness note, then join the others in this
water, land and air — into one uplifting lantern theme. lantern release party. More than 1 million sky lanterns blaze across the Taiwan
Besides the mountain experience, lantern festival attendees the night sky. Lantern
celebrate in Taibao City along a downtown stretch that culminates An hour’s drive east from Taipei, the old coal boom town is a Festival one
in merriment around the futuristic southern branch of the National 1920s throwback with period-set architecture, especially around
Palace Museum. Hailed as the turf of the smart Taiwan Lantern Pingxi Old Street — itself a spectacle. The street, built into a hill of the best
Festival, this event promises to break away from traditions. Discover with a train track overhead, immerses visitors in a surprise setting festivals in
waltzing water displays with familiar architectural patterns of the that swirls in shops and charming wooden houses constructed the world.
Forbidden City, Alishan Mountain and cherry blossoms at the during the Japanese occupation. But come nightfall, the mood
“water” light district. morphs into wonderment. And there among the pack of well-
The “air” lantern zone puts participants in touch with the Chiayi wishers, guests from the Regent Taipei hold their personalized
lantern exhibitions via apps accessible from their smartphones. A lanterns created only a short time before. For this delegation of
virtual world of LED light frequencies beams other brilliant “land” lantern bearers, not a minute is wasted as they leave their luxe suites
images. By the National Palace Museum, for instance, see branches in dizzying Taipei, led by a private butler to Pingxi for the ultimate
of magnolias adrift in the air. As part of the interactive installation, sky lantern tradition.
visitors can even “water” a virtual plant and watch it grow. By the glow of a Taiwanese full moon with necks cranked
Another lantern experience awaits in Pingxi where, come sunset, skyward, all watch their dreams take flight.

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