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During my first trip to Taiwan, I was fortunate enough to be in Chiayi County on March 10th, the very day the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival was at its most spectacular.
For many people, including myself in the past, Taipei or Kaohsiung were usually the first names that came to mind when thinking about tourism in Taiwan, but this event in Chiayi completely changed that perception. The festival's appeal was so great that crowds flocked there, transforming a once tranquil area into a vibrant hub, a testament to the powerful appeal of festival culture in central Taiwan.
This year's Lantern Festival is being held again in Chiayi after eight years of being rotated between different provinces and cities in Taiwan.
The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival, organized by the Tourism Bureau in collaboration with the Chiayi government, will be held around Chiayi HSR Station and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum from March 3rd to 15th. With the theme "Radiant Taiwan, Illuminating Chiayi," this year's event marks the return of the festival after an eight-year hiatus by combining local heritage with modern technology. Instead of traditional displays, this year's event expands to include interactive sensor-based experience zones, flexible mechanical demonstrations, and themed entertainment areas.
The Taiwan Lantern Festival is an annual festival organized by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
The dance of mechanics and aerial acrobatics
Present at the main stage area on the evening of March 10th, I spent time observing a performance combining mechanical engineering and performing arts. The centerpiece was a giant, meticulously crafted mechanical horse model. Instead of being a static decorative object, this model featured mechanical joints that allowed its legs and neck to move rhythmically in sync with the music.
Giant, movable horse models are combined with sound effects and circus performances.
Surrounding this model, circus performers execute aerial acrobatics. The combination of a large, movable metal structure and human acrobatics creates a spectacular scene. This is the first time I've seen a festival event in Taichung with such meticulous stage design.
A large crowd of locals and tourists gathered around the stage to admire the performance.
The interaction between humans and the giant machine not only creates a powerful visual effect but also tells a story of technological advancement intertwined with boundless creativity. The performance leans more towards art installations and light shows than traditional stage performances.
Light installations inspired by the Alishan mountain range.
Leaving the stage area, I stepped into the lantern exhibition space – a dazzling "maze" with over 600 light art pieces of varying sizes, styles, and themes.
The centerpiece of the entire festival is the themed lantern display titled "Light Bath - Alishan of the World." This work is not simply a luminous model, but a work of art depicting the majestic beauty of Alishan's green forest – a symbol of Chiayi County. By using layers of light and shadow, the artwork creates a multi-dimensional visual effect: on land, underwater, and even in the air. The image of the thousand-year-old sacred tree and the characteristic clouds of the high mountains are vividly recreated, symbolizing Taiwan's enduring energy and aspiration to spread its light to the world.
The structure recreates the image of a thousand-year-old sacred tree and the characteristic clouds of the high mountain region.
In addition, the Super Mario-themed area brings a youthful and modern vibe. Familiar characters from the mushroom world are recreated with brightly colored lanterns, creating a warm and playful atmosphere amidst the traditional festival.
Additionally, there are areas displaying lanterns with diverse themes such as the 12 zodiac animals, horse-shaped lanterns – the symbol of 2026, animal-shaped lanterns, cartoon characters, Journey to the West lanterns, etc. Standing amidst these diverse shapes, I realized the ingenuity with which traditional materials have been transformed into a vibrant world of light.
What impressed me most about the festival's modernity was the interactive "Tech Carnival" experience area. Here, artificial intelligence (AI) was cleverly incorporated into the art installations. There was no longer a distance between viewers and the exhibits; the lantern clusters could change color and emit sounds as soon as visitors touched them.
The Tech World area features interactive cinemas recreated from Taiwan's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
The colossal installation is inspired by a rotating vase with swimming fish motifs, glazed in cobalt blue, dating back to the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.
The food court was bustling with people and overflowing with flavors.
Leaving the brightly lit areas, I stopped by the food court to sample local cuisine. Even though the main events had ended, crowds still thronged the area, jostling among the endless rows of stalls. The market was divided into many sections with hundreds of closely packed stalls, offering everything from hot snacks like grilled sausages and stinky tofu to freshly prepared seafood.
The food court was packed with people visiting and stopping to enjoy the food.
In particular, the milk tea stalls were always crowded with long lines. Holding a refreshing cup of milk tea made from Oolong and Shan Snow tea – two specialty teas from the mountainous region of Chiayi – in your hand, you truly appreciate the joy of strolling through the night festival. The fact that thousands of people still lingered to enjoy the food in Chiayi – a place not as famous as larger cities – shows that the real appeal of this festival lies not only in its visuals but also in its vibrant nightlife.
Long lines of people formed in front of several stalls in the festival's night market.
The 2026 Lantern Festival was more than just a display; it was a multi-sensory cultural feast. My first time in Taiwan, I witnessed a Chiayi that shone far beyond my expectations. Although the festival ended on March 15th, the image of the giant robotic horse and the dazzling lights of the "Light Bath" will undoubtedly remain etched in the memories of anyone who visited.
