Seeing Taiwan: The Glow of the Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival, a traditional Chinese celebration that heralds the first full moon of the lunar new year, as well as the coming of spring, is celebrated in different forms throughout Taiwan. In Pingsi, an hour's drive from Taipei, residents release candle-powered lanterns, which float gently into the sky. In the southern village of Yanshuei, a more high-voltage celebration takes place: the beehive fireworks display at the God of War temple.

But perhaps the best known celebration is the roving Taiwan Lantern Festival gathering, held every year by the Tourism Bureau. The Bureau launched its version of the festival in 1990, and since then it has won a special place in the hearts of visitors and residents alike. For many years, the event was held in Taipei, before moving to Tainan two years ago. This year the Bureau has chosen a new location for the official 2007 Taiwan Lantern Festival; it will be held from March 4 to March 11 in the greenbelt in front of the Taibao City Government building in Chiayi County.