Dates: February 19 – March 3
Place: Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area
This year, the main venue of the Pingtung Lantern Festival will be in Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area. This marks the first time the lantern festival is held outside of Pingtung City. However, Pingtung City and Donggang Town will hold smaller venues to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Dapeng Bay is the perfect place to showcase the theme for this year: The Golden Blue Fin Tuna lantern. Sorry “Pig Lantern,” but the city decided that the “Golden Tuna” better reflects the fishing industry’s vitality to the area and symbolizes, “abundance and wealth year after year.” An added value for festival goer is the beautiful view of the lagoon and the Dapeng Bridge that Dapeng Bay offers. There will also be an “Ocean Carnival” every night.
Highlighting this year’s festival will be ilotopie from France, à la Cirque du Soleil. They will perform from 7 pm to 8 pm every night during the festival.
Another featured performance will be the Intel Drone Light Show.
Voalá of Spain who captivates audiences with aerial acrobatics will also perform.
Other performances include drummers from Korea and Indonesia.
A special treat is the performance by Taiwan’s own AKB48 Team TP, which is the sister group to the original Japanese band AKB48.
App
Pingtung County Government has developed an app to enhance the festival experience. The app is available in 7 languages and desgined for both Android and IOS phones. There are chances to win prizes by using the app.
Getting There
Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area
Shuttle Bus
There will be no public parking available in the Dapeng Bay festival area. So using public transportation is advised. There will be FREE shuttle buses from the Chaojhou Train Station (south bound) and the Linbien Train Station (north bound) every 10-15 minutes:
Monday – Thursday @ 13:45 – 23:00
Friday – Sunday @ 09:45 – 23:00
Buses
From Zuoying HSR Station: 9189, Lantern Festival Express 0969, 9127A
From Kaohsiung Train Station: 9117, 9127
- 9117, please get off at “Dapeng Bay 2”
- 9127, please get off at “Dapeng Bay”