1 · The short answer

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is held in the Pingxi district of New Taipei around the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, which falls in February or early March. On the main nights, groups of lanterns are released together in timed waves over the valley. New Taipei City announces the dates, venue and any registration for the release waves each year.

Pingxi is a small mountain valley served by a single line railway, and on festival nights it receives far more visitors than it was built for. Trains and shuttle buses run full, queues are long, and mobile data slows where everyone gathers. Plan your return before you go, and keep tickets and maps offline.

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2 · What happens

Sky lanterns in Pingxi go back to the area's mining villages, where lanterns are said to have signalled to families that the village was safe. Today visitors write wishes on the panels of large paper lanterns and release them. On festival nights the releases are organised in synchronised waves at the main venue, while on any ordinary day you can release a lantern from the railway tracks at Shifen or Pingxi old street.

Fallen lanterns are a litter and fire concern in the valley. Release them only at the designated spots, and follow staff instructions.

3 · Getting there from Taipei

  • ✓Pingxi Line: Take a Taiwan Railway train from Taipei to Ruifang, then change to the branch Pingxi Line for Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong. On festival days expect long queues and very full carriages.
  • ✓Shuttle buses: In past years New Taipei has run festival shuttle buses from MRT stations in Taipei. Check the city's announcement for the year and arrive early.
  • ✓Going home: The last trains and buses fill up quickly after the final release wave. Many visitors leave before the last wave to avoid the queue.
  • ✓Taxis: Uber and the 55688 Taiwan Taxi app work in Taipei, but roads into the valley are congested or controlled on festival nights.

4 · Crowds and mobile signal

Taiwan's networks are fast, but a narrow valley with tens of thousands of visitors strains them. Messages go through; video uploads may not. Agree a meeting point, save the train timetable offline, and upload your lantern videos on the train back once the crowd thins.

5 · Apps and payments

  • ✓Google Maps: Works well in Taiwan for trains and buses.
  • ✓EasyCard: The transit card for MRT, buses and Taiwan Railway trains, also accepted in convenience stores.
  • ✓Cash: Lantern shops and food stalls in Pingxi and Shifen are mostly cash.
  • ✓Messages: LINE is the main messaging app in Taiwan.

6 · Which plan covers the trip

The Ringo Light plan for Taiwan covers Taipei, Pingxi and the whole island on one eSIM with unlimited data at full speed. If you are combining Taiwan with Japan, Korea or Hong Kong, the Global plan covers the countries on your route.

7 · Around Pingxi

Nearby stops that pair well with a lantern trip.

Jiufen, New Taipei
New TaipeiJiufenThe hillside old mining town of teahouses and lanterned lanes, close to Ruifang on the way to Pingxi.✓Very busy on weekends; go on a weekday morning if you can.Photo: Sunkenbean, CC BY-SA 4.0
Taipei 101, Taipei
TaipeiTaipei 101The tower and its observatory anchor the Xinyi district, a good base for a lantern trip.✓Book the observatory online to skip part of the queue.Photo: Andrew Van Ova, CC BY 2.0
Sun Moon Lake, Nantou
NantouSun Moon LakeIf you have more days, the mountain lake in central Taiwan is a calm contrast to the festival crowds.✓High speed rail to Taichung, then a bus to the lake.Photo: Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0

8 · Frequently asked questions

When is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival?+
Around the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in February or early March. New Taipei City announces each year's dates.
How do I get to Pingxi from Taipei?+
By train to Ruifang and the Pingxi branch line, or by festival shuttle bus when the city runs them.
Can I release a lantern outside the festival?+
Yes, at Shifen and Pingxi old street lantern shops, all year round.
Will my phone work in Pingxi on festival night?+
It will connect, but the valley is crowded and data slows. Keep tickets and timetables offline.
How do I install Ringo Light?+
It arrives by email and installs in one scan. No app is needed.

9 · Sources

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