A Sky Full of Dreams: Experiencing Taiwan's Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

In March 2019, I embarked on a journey from Taipei by train to witness the captivating Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, a celebration rooted in tradition and rich with symbolism. Held in the scenic mountain towns of Shifen and Pingxi, this festival offers not only a visual spectacle but also a deep cultural experience.

The Sky Lantern Festival is more than just a beautiful display of floating lanterns. Each lantern, delicately crafted by hand, symbolizes hope, renewal, and the desire for a brighter future. Participants, both local and international, write their wishes on the lanterns before releasing them into the night sky. As the lanterns ascend, they carry with them the dreams and aspirations of those below, creating a powerful moment of collective unity and hope.

The festival dates back centuries and was once a way for villagers to signal safety and peace after periods of danger. Today, it’s a joyful celebration of life and community, drawing thousands of people from across the world.

In Shifen, the celebration takes place along the old railway, where families and travelers alike release lanterns into the sky, while the Shifen Waterfall roars in the background. As night falls in Pingxi, the lanterns illuminate the mountains, painting the sky with a soft, ethereal glow. The sight of countless glowing orbs floating upward is not only breathtaking but deeply meaningful—a collective expression of hope, joy, and shared dreams.

For me, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival was more than just an event—it was a chance to connect with an ancient tradition that celebrates the power of human spirit, culture, and the natural world. I took all the photos mainly at night, capturing the festival’s essence in the glowing lanterns as they lit up the dark sky.