Experiencing the Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan: A Real-Life Disney Moment
Have you ever dreamed of living your own real-life scene from Disney's Tangled? The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan makes that dream come true in the most magical way. Watching thousands of glowing lanterns rise into the night sky, carrying wishes and dreams, is one of those experiences that feels straight out of a fairytale. It’s emotional, breathtaking, and something we’ll never forget.
Our Experience at the Taiwan Sky Lantern Festival
Our trip to the festival started bright and early on 12th February 2025, the same day our flight landed in Taipei. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we set off for a town called Shifen using public transport. As excited as we were, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Being our first few hours in Taiwan, navigating the train and bus systems was definitely overwhelming. Not only that but the language barrier was unlike anything we’d encountered before, with signs that were completely unfamiliar to us.
Thankfully, the kindness of strangers saved the day. Some locals went out of their way to guide us to the right platforms. By the time we reached Ruifang Station, the atmosphere had completely shifted with everyone there buzzing with excitement, clearly heading to the festival too. The train platform even made announcements in English, which was super helpful.
The Lantern Releases
The mass releases of lanterns are the highlight of the festival. With that in mind, we finally made it to Shifen at around 5 PM, but we quickly realised that we were too late to participate in the mass release of lanterns or grab a prime spot for photos. Honestly, it didn’t really matter to us at this point. The first round usually starts at 6:30 PM, with three releases per hour, with the the final release at around 9:30 PM. The lanterns rising into the night sky were magical from any angle, and a mesmerising sight as waves of glowing lanterns floated into the sky.
Rain, Ponchos, and a Bit of Chaos
Now, let’s talk about the weather. Unfortunately, we were hit with torrential rain that day, which made things a bit tricky. Even with rain ponchos, we were drenched, and the rain definitely added a layer of challenge to the experience. If you’re into photography, you can imagine how hard it was to take good pictures in the dark while rain was pouring down.
That said, the weather is obviously not something guaranteed to affect your experience. We just got unlucky!
Practical Tips for Attending the Lantern Festival
Here are a few tips we wish we’d known before going:
Arrive Early: If you want to take part in the lantern release or grab the best spots, aim to be in Shifen before midday.
Bring Rain Gear (Just in Case): Even if it’s not raining when you leave, February is unpredictable, so pack a poncho and umbrella just to be safe.
Be Ready for Crowds: This is a huge event, so expect lots of people and a bit of a wait when it comes to transport. We decided to leave before the final release to beat the crowds. Despite this, we still queued for about 30 minutes to get onto the train platform, and the bus queues were even longer. If you’re planning your visit, factor in some extra time for getting back to Taipei (if that’s where you’re staying).
Pack Snacks and Cash: When you arrive, you can try some local street food, but cash is the main method of payment here. Don’t rely on cards!
Go with the Flow: Even if things don’t go perfectly, the experience is still magical.
If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during February, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a must-see event, so you’ll want to be prepared and not make the same mistakes as us, but we’ve got you covered. We put together a super detailed travel guide “Everything We Wish We Knew Before Going to Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan” that breaks down everything you need to know, from how to get there, where to stay, how to participate and release your own lantern, and our top tips we learned from our mistakes.
Is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Even with the rain, huge crowds and the challenges we faced, the festival was a magical experience. The sight of hundreds of lanterns lighting up the sky is something we’ll never forget. It’s an event that’s as much about the journey and the shared excitement as it is about the lanterns themselves.
Have you experienced a beautiful lantern festival anywhere else around the world? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this blog, make sure to drop a like and share. 🏮✨
Everything We Wish We Knew Before Going to Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan
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