For those in the know, Shifen Old Street Sky Lanterns is one of the oldest and most iconic sky lantern spots in Taiwan, alongside Pingxi and Jingtong, and is renowned for lantern releases. This article will focus on introducing the stores in Shifen, transportation options, recommended private car tours, and frequently asked questions, offering you and your friends or partner a romantic, traditional sky lantern journey!
Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming lanterns, are flying devices made based on the principle of hot air rising. Legend has it that sky lanterns were invented by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period and were initially used to send military messages. Over time, the practice spread to the general public and became a tool for people to make wishes and prayers.
In Taiwan, the tradition of releasing sky lanterns is especially popular. The Lantern Festival is Taiwan’s most famous sky lantern event, where tens of thousands of lanterns rise into the sky from Pingxi every year during the Lantern Festival, creating a spectacular scene.
Shifen Old Street Sky Lanterns: 3 Popular Stores Introduction
Ji Xiang Sky Lanterns
✨ Google Reviews ✨
- The staff is friendly and professional, fluent in multiple languages.
- The photography service is highly skilled, capturing the essence of the experience while being quick and precise. The kids were very excited for their first sky lantern experience.The street is very unique, and they notify visitors when a train is about to pass by.
- Although it’s the same sky lantern release, the service here makes it a unique experience! The staff provides thoughtful and kind service.
Meiguo Sky Lanterns
✨ Google Reviews ✨
- There are many sky lantern vendors in Shifen, but after reading Google reviews, we chose Meiguo Sky Lanterns, and it truly lived up to its name as a beautiful experience. The owner was kind enough to guide us on an electric scooter, offering professional and enthusiastic advice on photo poses and angles.
A big thank you to the owner for helping us send back our hats. The service was excellent, and they even took photos and videos for us. The lantern prices were reasonable! - The owner is humorous and great at taking photos.
- The lantern-writing area is indoors with air conditioning. Highly recommended!
A-Ma’s Sky Lanterns
✨ Google Reviews ✨
- The kind and wise grandmother sells lanterns full of stories, praying for happiness for countless travelers.
- The first shop in Shifen!
- A pioneer in the history of Taiwanese sky lanterns, a legendary figure in Shifen and Pingxi, the grandma of the famous lantern street in Pingxi and Shifen.
How to Get to Shifen Sky Lanterns?
Shifen Sky Lanterns is one of the most popular lantern spots for international visitors. Here’s how to get there:
By Train:
You can take the train to Ruifang Station. If you’re departing from Taipei Station, it takes about 40-50 minutes to reach Ruifang. From there, transfer to the Pingxi Line to Shifen Station, which takes about 13 minutes.
By Private Car (Shifen Private Car):
- Depart from Taipei Station → Civic Boulevard → Zhongxiao East Road → Taiwan Route 5 → Drive to Shifen Street in Pingxi District (about 60 minutes)
- From Keelung Temple Night Market → Taiwan Route 5 → Guo Port Road → Taiwan Route 2B → Drive to Shifen Street in Pingxi District (about 30 minutes)
- From Yilan → Northern Coastal Highway/Taiwan Route 2 → Taiwan Route 2B → Drive to Shifen Street in Pingxi District (about 1 hour 30 minutes)
3 Major Advantages of Choosing a Shifen Private Car Tour:
Convenience and Safety:
During holidays or Lantern Festivals, Shifen Station is a super popular spot, and driving there on your own can lead to unfamiliar roads, heavy traffic, and difficulty finding parking. Choosing a private car service to Shifen helps you avoid these issues.
Parking Convenience:
During holidays or Lantern Festivals, Shifen Station can get extremely crowded. Driving there on your own often means facing traffic jams and parking difficulties. With a private car service, you can simply get off at Shifen and enjoy your visit while the driver takes care of parking.Driving Safety:
The mountain roads leading to Shifen can be rough and unfamiliar for most travelers. Self-driving could involve safety risks. With a private car, you don’t have to worry about getting lost or finding parking, and you can fully enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
High Flexibility
Shifen is surrounded by beautiful spots like Shifen Waterfall and Siguan Pond, making it a great choice for both day trips and two-day tours! If you’re looking to explore the local culture, James offers a Shifen private car day tour itinerary:
Yin Yang Sea 🚘 Golden Waterfall 🚘 Jiufen Old Street 🚘 Shifen Waterfall 🚘 Shifen Sky Lantern Release 🚘 Keelung Night Market
Cost-Effective
For family groups, booking a private car tour allows you to split the cost, making it more economical. Plus, Dad doesn’t have to drive all day, giving him a chance to relax and enjoy the trip without getting tired.
High Discussion! 8 Frequently Asked Questions about Shifen Sky Lanterns
Yes, there are many sky lantern shops in front of Shifen Station, and they are open on weekdays as well. Many international visitors come to Shifen to experience releasing sky lanterns, making it a popular spot for tourists throughout the week.
The sky lantern shops at Shifen Station open in the morning and are generally open until around 7:00 PM in the evening. During this time, you can release sky lanterns. This allows visitors to enjoy the experience throughout the day, from morning to early evening.
Here are the prices for different types of sky lanterns in Shifen:
- Single-color sky lantern: NT$ 150
- Two-color sky lantern: NT$ 150
- Colorful sky lantern: NT$ 200
- Eight-color sky lantern: NT$ 300
- All-paper eco-friendly sky lantern: NT$ 300-400
These prices can vary slightly depending on the shop, and some places may offer discounts or special packages.
- Single-color lanterns: Represent specific wishes such as peace, wealth, career success, love, health, and academic achievements.
- Colorful lanterns: Symbolize a wish for happiness and longevity, bringing a colorful life full of blessings.
- Eight-color lanterns: Represent the hope for everything to be perfect and complete, symbolizing fulfillment and harmony in all aspects of life.
Sky lanterns can be released in any open area within Pingxi Township.
The most famous Lantern Festival in Taiwan allows sky lanterns to be released at three main locations: Pingxi, Shifen, and Jingtong. These places are well-known for their traditional sky lantern activities, especially during the Lantern Festival, attracting many visitors to experience this cultural event.
In northern Taiwan, light rain or drizzles usually do not affect the flight of the sky lanterns. However, heavy rain can cause problems, as it makes the lanterns heavy and difficult to fly. It’s best to release sky lanterns when the weather is clear or with light rain, but avoid heavy downpours for safety.
Contact
One-Day Private Car Tours in Taiwan
Start your hassle-free journey in Taiwan today!
Book your private car service for airport transfers or personalized tours with ease.
Our professional, English-speaking drivers ensure smooth communication while providing you with comfort, convenience, and unforgettable travel experiences.