Taiwan Lantern Festival will take place in Taichung in 2020 and in Hsinchu in 2021

After deliberation on the selection of the host cities and counties of the two Taiwan Lantern Festivals, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Taiwan Transport and Communications issued its verdict on January 30 last. It was decided that the festival would be held in Taichung in 2020 and in Hsinchu in 2021, which had never organized it before.

According to the city of Taichung, the 2020 edition of the Taiwan Lantern Festival should have held at the same locations that hosted Taichung World Flora Exposition 2018-2019; namely Houli Horse Ranch, Fengyuan Huludun Park and Shuinan
Central Park.

The reasons for Taichung’s selection for the organization of the event are due in particular to the support of the counties surrounding Miaoli, Changhua and Nantou which are very attractive. The objective is to attract visitors to the region in order to promote the development of regional tourism and to encourage the visitors to plan a stay of 1 or 2 days.

The organization of such an event will have great tourist benefits for the city of Taichung. Thus, the city promised to raise more than 11 million euros to host the festival; much more than others candidate cities.

In parallel, the city of Hsinchu plans to organize the Taiwan Lantern Festival in the old city walls in 2021. The project will be in line with the will of the city to develop its pedestrian infrastructures and in particular the installation of lighting in green spaces. This will make the environment much more favourable to observe the lanterns, while keeping the charm of the ancient city. Also in the same way near Hsinchu station, so transport will be convenient. The city also has of several companies specialized in technology and glass manufacturing, which was a great asset in favour of Hsinchu’s choice.

The 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival will take place in Pingtung from February 19 to March 3, the closing ceremony. The Taichung City team will be invited to the ceremony to symbolize the torchbearer’s takeover for the year 2020.