The Shifen Sky Lantern Square is across the Visitor Center.  A total of 2000 lanterns were released in the sky, 200 sky lanterns in 10 batches with the interval of 20 minutes.  The schedule was to start at 6PM and end at 9PM.

I got there mid-afternoon and there were already a lot of people in the area.  Most of them have already set up their tripods outside the "perimeter fence".  The enclosed area is numbered so that participants would be in their respective boxes.

Around 12NN, the registration for participants started.  One group could register for one sky lantern.  It is on a first-come, first-serve basis and anybody could register.  I didn't bother to be there early as I believe it would be worth if I am with a group.  The groups were allowed in the enclosed area at a specified time, depending on the batch of the sky lantern they released.  There is an assigned usher/usherette (ones with the purple cap) for each participant to guide them on the timings.

Shifen Area Map

Stage used for the event

Enclosed (numbered) area and the tripods (with its owners) positioned outside it

Ushers being briefed

Almost ready for the first batch of release

I have planned to stay only for the first batch of release.  I wanted to leave early as I felt it would be difficult to get back to the city, whether by train or by bus, if I stayed up to the end.  However, I was so amazed after the first release that I stayed for 2 more (I'll just let the pictures speak for itself).  That's my limit and I have to drag myself out of the area after that.

The program included some performances and words from some officials that made the event a success.  It was during this time that the next batch of the participants position themselves and prepare for the releasing of sky lanterns.  For each release, there was one big lantern that goes with it.  The first and third ones have big white lanterns while the second had a big green snake lantern.

That's it! I've reached my limit and so I left.  There was a long queue going out of the area and the line was slow moving.  A lot of people are already on the way home by this time and are walking a bit slow because of the huge crowd.  I went past most of them.  But then, I came to a stopping point.  I saw the long line to the buses.  It wasn't actually a line but people crowding the street to go to the buses.  It took me two hours before I was able to board the bus.  Whew!  In a way, I was able to see all the 10 releases while in the line.  The colorful, dancing lights of the Jingan Suspension Bridge and some fireworks also kept the people entertained.

Line to the buses

Fireworks and colorful/dancing lights of Jingan Suspension Bridge

When I got back to Taipei Zoo Station, I ate dinner at McDonalds and took the MRT back to the hotel.  I got there before 12MN.  It was tiring but it was a wonderful experience.

For more information on the event, please go to this link.

Shifen at a Glance

Back in Shifen, I'm surprised that the train station is not that crowded.  Or, maybe it is, when the train makes a stop at this station.  Afterwards, you can't see a lot of people at the station.

Shifen Station

When you go to the other side where there are food stalls and other shops and when you look at the tracks just past the station, that's where you'll see a lot of people.  The people here does not mind even if there are warnings to not walk on the tracks.  The trains come on a schedule and they would just get off the tracks when they can here the train.

The people are setting off sky lanterns all throughout the day.  There are some lanterns which also have fireworks.  Sky Lantern prices vary depending on how many colors the sky lantern have.

If you decide to set off a sky lantern on a regular day, you might just see the one that you set off.  During the festival, you would see a lot of it in the sky.

Shifen Station

Going to the main road, I passed through Jingan Suspension Bridge.  There's actually a way from the station to the road leading to the Sky Lantern Square but I just decided to go the long way which is passing through the suspension bridge and coming back via another bridge.

Jingan Suspension Bridge view from Shifen station

Jingan Suspension Bridge

Jingan Suspension Bridge

Jingan Suspension Bridge

Top: Shows the width of the main road; Bottom: A lot of policemen are deployed to ensure security at the festival

I just followed the road back to the other side of the river to continue walking to Shifen Sky Lantern Square.  Here, I saw some windows in the shape of the lantern, even artworks pertain to the lanterns.

The way to Shifen Sky Lantern Square

The way to Shifen Sky Lantern Square

After some minutes, I got to the square but just went past it a bit to see what's there to see.  There's the Shifen Visitor Center, and after that another suspension bridge which would lead to the trail to Shifen Waterfalls.  I was already tired at this time and don't know how long it would take to the waterfall so I just stayed at the Visitor Center/Sky Lantern Square area to be able to secure a good place for the nights activity.

The way to the waterfalls

Shifen Visitor Center

Old Town Jingtong

I was already at Shifen before 12 noon.  It was still early so I went to Jingtong first, which is the end of the Pingxi line.  One-way train ticket between Shifen and Jingtong costs NTD15.  One thing I noticed though is that they have made Shifen Station (at least for the day) a transfer station.  Either you ride the train that is Jingtong-bound or Ruifang-bound.  This scheme is much better than having the train go the full route of Ruifang to Jingtong.  The trains are most likely stuck in "traffic" when it comes to Shifen because a lot of people are on the tracks.

During this time of the day, the train is not yet that crowded

It was about a 15-20 minute train ride from Shifen to Jingtong.  I've actually passed this town on the bus ride but since it's a non-stop bus, I can just get off at Shifen.  Jingtong was, as they say, the location of TW drama's "The Poor Prince" which stars Vic Chou.  Some scenes from Meteor Garden 2 were also shot here (it's the town where Shan Cai and Lei went into "hiding").

 

There are signs telling people not to walk on the tracks but people still do so, including me.

Train on the Pingxi Line

Jingtong Station

Jingtong Station

Jingtong Railway Story House

Upon exiting the station, I turned left.  This is the way to Lover Bridge (Zhongpu Bridge). 

One needs to go down some steps to get to the bridge.  If you are a fan of Meteor Garden (part 2), the bridge might seem familiar.  This is the bridge where Dao Ming Si got the meteor ring thrown by Shan Cai towards the latter part of the series.

Zhongpu Bridge

Wishes on bamboo tubes hanging by a tree near Zhongpu Bridge

Zhongpu Bridge

I went past the bridge onto the other side and walked the path to the main road but there's nothing to see here so I just went back and continued to the other side of the railway station, walking the length (it's just short anyway) of the most popular street in Jingtong -- Jingtong Old Street.  The stores here sell street foods, souvenirs, guitars among others.

Stores at Jingtong Old Street

Carton King in Jingtong Old Street

Had lunch at this place that's just beside the railroad tracks

Miner's Lunch (pork chop with tofu, seaweeds and other veggies) -- with a view

The path leads to the main road.  Across it is the Tai Young Club and the Japanese Dormitory District.

Path to the main road

Tai Young Club

Tai Young Club

Tai Young Club

Japanese Dormitory District

View from the bridge on the main road

Jingtong landmarks on the main road

While waiting for the train, I went to the other side of the tracks, up the steps to get a view of what's there.  I just got to the area near the station and didn't go for the trail.  I might do that next time.  For now, I just wanted to get back to Shifen.

Up the steps on the other side of the tracks at Jingtong station