EASY TRIPS
The loud festivities of Lunar New Year may overlook this spectacularly visual
festival but the longstanding tradition of releasing floating lanterns into the
sky is still gaining traction among locals from around the country and other
travellers. While the sale and release of sky lanterns are available in Pingxi
throughout the year, nothing beats coming down during this particular
festival to watch the mass release of sky lanterns. The tradition is generations-
old and stems from villagers releasing the lanterns to warn women and
children to run up the hills when the village was under attack by bandits and
marauders. The lanterns are no longer used as a warning but it is a popular
custom to write down a wish on the paper lanterns before sending it up to the
heavens for the divine to grant them.PINGXI, TAIWAN MAKE IT HAPPENPingxi Sky
Lantern Festival
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is set to start
on 4 February and continue on over the next
few weekends. Lanterns are released en masse
every 20 minutes and there are also events at
various venues, including Pingxi Junior High,
Qingtong Junior High, and Shifen Sq.
It would be more convenient to stay in Taipei
and make the hour-drive east to Pingxi during
the day. The new Hotel PaPa Whale serves as a
great base from which to explore Taipei. The
boutique hotel exudes a warm, intimate charm
with its minimalist style and modern facilities
and amenities. The hotel is also easy to spot too
with the two murals of a blue whale painted on
the sides of the stark-white building (from
US$55 per night; papawhale.com).
PHOTOGRAPH: FLICKR WWW.JIRKAMATOUSEK.EU