New Taipei: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival Experience in Shifen

Shifen’s sky lantern ritual turns a simple paper lantern into a small public ceremony. You write a wish, light the candle inside, and let the lantern rise above the old railway town. It is one of Taiwan’s most popular traditions, and the February festival can draw thousands of people.

I like the easy cultural connection: you do not just watch a local custom, you take part in it. I also like the helpful staff, especially since the launch takes a little skill. The main drawback is that this voucher covers only a single-color lantern, and transportation to Shifen is not included.

Key points to know before you go

• A hands-on Taiwanese tradition: Write wishes or messages on a paper and bamboo lantern, then send it upward.
• Year-round at Shifen Old Street: You do not need to visit during the February festival to participate.
• One single-color lantern included: Multicolor lanterns are not part of this experience.
• Staff help with the release: Assistance matters, particularly in poor weather or if you have never launched one.
• Bring the QR code: Redeem it at Jixiang Sky Lantern, No. 94, Shifen St.
• Plan your own transportation: The $6 price covers the lantern only, not travel or a guide.

What the Shifen sky lantern tradition means

A sky lantern is made from paper and bamboo, with a small candle inside. Once the flame warms the air, the lantern lifts and drifts into the sky. The traditional hope is simple: your wishes rise with it, bringing good luck and fortune.

The practice dates to the 19th century. Lanterns were once used to signal between villages and pass messages during wartime. At Shifen today, the meaning is more personal. You can write a private wish, a family message, or a few words for the year ahead.

You may write in any language. That small detail makes the activity welcoming to people who do not read or write Chinese. The lantern becomes your own message rather than a set piece that you merely photograph.

The ritual also gives you a brief pause in a busy sightseeing day. Shifen Old Street is lined with shops selling lanterns, snacks, and souvenirs, so the area can feel crowded, especially during the annual festival. Writing your message gives you a reason to slow down before the launch.

Arriving at Jixiang Sky Lantern on Shifen Old Street

The redemption point is Jixiang Sky Lantern at No. 94, Shifen St., in New Taipei City’s Pingxi District. You present your QR code to the staff and receive one single-color sky lantern.

The business hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. These hours matter because the activity is sold as a one-day experience, but your actual visit still needs to fit within the shop’s opening times.

There is no transportation included. You need to arrange your own way to Shifen Old Street, and no tour guide is part of the package. That keeps the price low, but it also means this is best treated as a small activity added to a day in the Pingxi area, not as a complete sightseeing tour.

The location is practical for a visit to the old street because the lantern shops, food stalls, and souvenir stores are close together. You can redeem your lantern, explore the market street, and decide when you are ready to write your wishes.

Writing wishes on a single-color lantern

The included voucher is for one single-color lantern. This is important when comparing options because multicolor lanterns are not covered. If you want different colors for different sides or a more elaborate display, you will need to pay extra.

Once you receive the lantern, you write on its paper sides. You can add wishes or messages in any language, which makes this a good activity for families or small groups with different backgrounds.

I suggest deciding what you want to write before the lantern is opened and ready. The moment can feel short once the candle is lit, and a simple message often works better than trying to compose a long note beside a busy street.

The writing is the most personal part of the activity. A photograph of a floating lantern is attractive, but the wish gives the ritual its reason. You can write about health, family, travel, good fortune, or anything meaningful to you.

The price of $6 per person is reasonable if you want this specific cultural activity without paying for a larger tour. Keep in mind that the voucher is limited to one-time use, so one person cannot redeem it repeatedly or exchange it for several lanterns.

Lighting and releasing the lantern

After you finish writing, a candle is lit inside the lantern. The staff then help prepare it for release. This is where practical assistance makes a difference.

A sky lantern is not simply a balloon that you let go. It needs to fill with warm air and rise properly. One of the most useful details from the feedback on this experience is that the assisting staff know how to fly the lantern, even when the weather is uncooperative.

That support is especially helpful for first-time participants. You can focus on the moment and your photographs instead of trying to work out the launch alone. The staff’s role is not a full guided tour, but their hands-on help is part of what makes the low-cost voucher useful.

Once the lantern is ready, you release it into the sky. Watching it float upward is the payoff. The sight becomes even more memorable when several lanterns rise around you, although the number of people and lanterns can also make the area feel crowded.

Weather can affect the experience. Rain or poor conditions may make writing less comfortable and launching more difficult. The available feedback suggests the activity can still work in less-than-ideal weather, thanks in part to staff assistance, but you should not expect the same clear, calm scene every day.

The February festival versus a quieter visit

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival takes place annually in February and attracts thousands of people from around the world. If you visit during the festival, you will see the tradition at its largest scale, with many lanterns filling the sky.

That scale is also the main tradeoff. A major festival brings energy and spectacle, but it can mean heavier crowds and less control over your pace. The $6 activity itself does not include special festival access, transportation, or a guide, so you still need to manage your visit independently.

A year-round visit to Shifen Old Street offers a simpler version of the same tradition. You can participate outside February, when the festival is not taking place. This may suit you better if you prefer to write your message without the pressure of a major event.

The activity is therefore flexible in an important way. You can seek the famous festival atmosphere, or you can visit during another season and focus on the lantern ritual, the old street, and local snacks.

What the old street adds to the experience

The lantern is the main purpose of the voucher, but Shifen Old Street gives it context. The street is lined with vendors selling paper lanterns, traditional food, and souvenirs. You can turn a short redemption into part of a wider stop in the Pingxi District.

The market setting also shows how an old custom has become part of modern tourism. You are taking part in a practice that once served village communication, but you are doing it among shops and food stands designed for visitors.

That does not make the ritual meaningless. It simply means you should know what kind of experience you are booking. This is not a quiet private ceremony or a guided history lesson. It is a public cultural activity in a popular old-street setting.

The lack of a guide can be either a benefit or a limitation. I like the freedom to move at your own pace, especially if you already know what you want to see in the area. If you want detailed historical explanation, transport planning, or a full day of sightseeing, you will need a separate tour or your own research.

Is the $6 price good value?

At $6 per person, the cost is low for a hands-on cultural activity in a well-known destination. You receive one single-color sky lantern and staff assistance with the launch. That is enough for a complete short experience, not just a ticket for viewing.

The value depends on your expectations. If you see the price as payment for a lantern, help with the release, and the chance to take part in a local tradition, it is strong value. If you expect transport from another part of New Taipei, a guide, festival admission, or a multicolor lantern, the package will feel limited.

Transportation is the biggest extra consideration. Since it is not included, your full day will cost more than the voucher price. Still, the low activity fee lets you add the lantern ritual to a wider Pingxi or Shifen outing without committing to an expensive organized program.

The experience also works well for groups. Each person receives the included redemption described for the activity, but the package is limited to one single-color lantern per use. Check your booking details carefully if your party wants more than one lantern.

Clothing, access, and practical limits

The stated clothing rules are specific. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and neither are shorts or sleeveless shirts. Wear covered footwear and clothing that follows these requirements so you are not caught unprepared at the activity.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. That is useful information for planning, though the busiest periods at Shifen may still make movement through a crowded market street slower.

The QR code is essential. Show it to the staff at Jixiang Sky Lantern to redeem the lantern. The product is for one-time use only, so keep the code ready and do not assume it can be used again later.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if you want to keep your plans flexible while deciding how to arrange your day around Shifen.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for you if you want a short, participatory cultural activity rather than a long guided tour. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like the idea of putting a personal message into a traditional object.

It is also a good fit if you are already planning to visit Shifen Old Street. The voucher adds a clear activity to your stop, and staff assistance reduces the uncertainty of launching the lantern for the first time.

You may want to choose another arrangement if you need transportation, detailed interpretation, or a tightly planned full-day itinerary. This package does not include any of those services.

The activity is also less suitable if you dislike crowds or want a private setting. The February festival can attract thousands of people, and Shifen Old Street is a popular destination throughout the year.

Should you book the Shifen lantern experience?

Book it if you want an affordable way to take part in a well-known Taiwanese tradition and you are comfortable arranging your own transportation. The single-color lantern, writing ritual, and staff help provide a complete experience for $6.

Before booking, confirm that your plans fit Jixiang Sky Lantern’s hours, bring the QR code, and wear permitted clothing. Choose a non-festival date if you prefer a more relaxed visit, or accept the crowds in February if the large-scale spectacle matters most.

The strongest reason to book is the personal element. You are not only looking at lanterns above Shifen. You are writing your own wish, lighting it, and watching it leave your hands.

FAQ

Where does the sky lantern activity take place?

It takes place at Jixiang Sky Lantern, No. 94, Shifen St., Pingxi District, New Taipei City.

What is included in the price?

The activity includes one single-color sky lantern redemption.

Are multicolor lanterns included?

No. Multicolor sky lanterns are not included in this activity.

How do I redeem the lantern?

Present your QR code to the staff at Jixiang Sky Lantern. The code can be used once for the included lantern.

Can I write on the lantern in my own language?

Yes. You can write your wishes or messages in any language.

Is transportation included?

No. You need to arrange transportation to Shifen Old Street yourself.

Is a tour guide included?

No. Tour guiding is not included.

When is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival held?

The festival takes place annually in February.

Can I take part outside the February festival?

Yes. You can participate year-round at Shifen Old Street.

What are the business hours?

Jixiang Sky Lantern is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.

What clothing is not allowed?

Sandals, flip flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.