Travel through Taiwan and you can’t help but appreciate the beauty and light of the lanterns which adorn light posts, shops, and lanes alike. And when you visit any souvenir stall or shop, you’ll find a selection of mini sky lanterns to choose from. If, however, you’re a stickler for originals, then make your way to Shifen in the Pingxi District. It’s here you can join locals and travelers celebrating the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. And in Shifen Old Street, where there is a live, working railway track running through the shops on either side of the tracks, you can light and set free a lantern at any time, complete with good wishes for the future. There’s something magical about lighting a lantern and we can see how this tradition has endured, so if you’d like to share it with a loved one, pack a mini sky lantern to take back home.
Update: December 23, 2022