Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is an exciting celebration of lights in Taiwan, which is held annually in preparation for the Chinese New Year.
Location and How to Get There
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival takes place at Kaohsiung, the second biggest city and the largest port in the country. It is located in the southern part of Taiwan and is accessible by plane. The Kaohsiung International Airport, although small, serves different flight routes from other parts of Asia. You may also travel by train via Taiwan High Speed Rail Line, which can cover the distance from Taipei to Kaohsiung in just an hour and a half. Traveling by bus and by boat are also viable options.
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is exactly located at the banks of the famous Love River in Yangcheng District. It would not be difficult for you to get there because there are many available transport options in the city – by foot, by car, by bus, by boat, by bicycle, by metro, and by taxi.
What to See There
The main attraction at Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is really the fireworks display. This festival of lights occurs for at least two weeks leading to the Chinese New Year.
Every year, the display and decoration are made different depending on the year that’s being welcomed. For the year of the rabbit, for example, rabbit inflatables, lanterns, and statues decorate the river banks.
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival has many attractions to charm every kind of visiting tourist. Aside from the actual fireworks display, there’s the festive atmosphere felt all around, the beautiful decorations, and the bars, restaurants, and other cultural attractions enveloped within the city.
History
The Lantern Festival is commonly regarded as Taiwan’s most important festival. It is often celebrated with glitter and glamor, in different parts of the country. Kaohsiung Lantern Festival started in 2001. It is celebrated with folk performances, stunning riverside water fountain and fireworks shows, traditional handicrafts, and native delicacies. It is truly worth a visit as the organizers think up an ingenious way of celebrating each festival year.
Cost
There is no word about the amount of money you need to allot for a trip to see the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. What’s for sure is that, whatever amount you may need to spend is well worth it, considering the many things you will enjoy to see. The festival is a feast not just for the eyes but for all senses. You must also be prepared to pay for your transportation as well as allot some shopping money as there are many exciting things to buy there.
Other Info
Aside from the glittering Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival is another must-see event in the city. It is held yearly also at the Love River in May.
