Release a Sky Lantern Like in the Movies — The Pingxi + Shifen Guide 2026

The Story

A Pingxi Sky LanternIs a Wish You Write by Hand and Hand to the Wind

About 90 minutes northeast of central Taipei, in the Pingxi District (平溪) of New Taipei City, a narrow valley once thrived on coal mining a century ago. The mines closed long ago, but the valley still lives on one thing — the sky lantern (天燈, tiandeng), a square paper lantern with a flame lit inside so the rising hot air carries it up like a tiny hot-air balloon. As local legend tells it, valley villagers once used these lanterns as a signal that it was "safe to come home" after hiding from bandits in the forest. Over time it became a tradition of sending hopes and blessings up to the sky.

What makes Pingxi special is that you don't just watch — you do it yourself. You pick a lantern colour that matches your wish (each colour carries a different meaning: red for health, pink for love, yellow for wealth), dip a brush in ink and write your wish across all four sides of the lantern. Then the shopkeeper lights it and photographs the moment you let go. The whole experience is tied to the Pingxi branch railway line, a tiny single-track line the Japanese built in 1921 to carry coal. Today it is a slow, scenic tourist train that trundles through small valley towns. This guide covers everything — how to ride the train, the one-day pass, the stops worth visiting, how to release a lantern, the festival, and an honest look at the environmental side before you go.

🏮

Release Your Own Lantern

Write a wish on a paper lantern and send it skyward — possible year-round at Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong.

🚆

The Classic Pingxi Line

A century-old branch railway that crawls through old mining towns — hop on and off all day.

🐱

Houtong Cat Village

A riverside ex-mining town now home to a hundred-plus cats — the first stop on the Pingxi Line.

🎆

A World-Famous Festival

Once a year at Lunar New Year, hundreds of lanterns rise together — one of Taiwan's iconic sights.

Dozens of paper sky lanterns rising together into a dark sky at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, each glowing with a flame inside — Pingxi sky lanterns — paper lanterns lit from within so the hot air carries them up; each one is a hand-written wish.

The old wooden Jingtong railway station from the Japanese colonial era on the Pingxi Line, with red flowerpots lined up out front — Jingtong Station — a Japanese-era wooden station at the end of the Pingxi Line, one of the few wooden stations left in Taiwan.

Lantern + Tour Booking

Release a Sky Lantern at Shifen
+ Full Jiufen + Yehliu Day Tours

Sky lantern release in Shifen (approximately NT$200-400) or a full Klook day tour with hotel pickup + Jiufen + lantern release in one go — no need to figure out the TRA + bus connection yourself.

✓ Discount vs counter ✓ Instant QR ticket ✓ Skip the queue ✓ Free cancellation on some

🏮 See Pingxi Lantern Tours on Klook →

Wherebest is an affiliate partner of Klook — we may earn a commission when you book through our link, at no extra cost to you.

Getting There · The Pass

Take the Train to RuifangThen Change to the Pingxi Line into the Valley

The Pingxi day trip is all about the train — a TRA mainline service takes you to the mouth of the valley, then the little Pingxi branch line climbs in, one station at a time.

🚆 Getting There from Taipei

①From Taipei Main Station, take a TRA local train heading toward Keelung/Su'ao and get off at Ruifang Station (瑞芳) — about 40–50 minutes, fare roughly NT$76. You can simply tap an EasyCard.
②At Ruifang, change to the Pingxi Line at the same platform area. The train runs into the valley through Houtong → Shifen → Pingxi → Jingtong (the terminus).
🕐Total time from Taipei to Shifen is about 1.5 hours; to Jingtong about 1 hour 45 minutes — budget a full day for the round trip.
🚌Alternatively, bus 795 (the Muzha–Pingxi Shuttle) runs from Muzha MRT station (Brown Line) roughly every 30–60 minutes — handy if you are based near the Brown Line.
🎫If you would rather not juggle timetables, van tours combining Pingxi and Jiufen in one day take the planning out of it.

🎟️ The Pingxi Line One-Day Pass

💵The Pingxi Line One-Day Pass costs NT$80 for adults (NT$40 for children 6–12) and gives unlimited hop-on, hop-off rides all day on the branch line between Ruifang and Jingtong.
🏪Buy it at the ticket windows at Ruifang, Houtong, Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong, as well as Taipei and Banqiao stations.
✅Worth it when: the pass pays off only if you plan to get on and off at at least 3–4 stops in one day. For just one or two stops, tapping an EasyCard is cheaper.
📋At every station, photograph the timetable on your phone — Pingxi Line trains run only about once an hour, so missing one means a long wait.

🚉

Always check train status before you go: the Pingxi Line is a single-track branch line deep in the valley and has closed for repairs at times after typhoon damage, with replacement shuttle buses running instead. Before you travel, check the Taiwan Railways (TRA) website to confirm the Pingxi Line is running normally — especially after a storm or around festival dates.

Stops Worth Making

Four Stations on the Pingxi Line— Each With Its Own Character

The Pingxi Line has several stations, but these four are the ones travellers stop at most — listed in order from the mouth of the valley inward.

A grey-and-white cat sitting on a wooden windowsill at Houtong Cat Village on the Pingxi Line, with a Houtong station sign visible through the window

Stop 1 · Closest to Ruifang

Houtong — The Cat Village (猴硐)

The first stop on the Pingxi Line, just about 6 minutes from Ruifang. Houtong was once Taiwan's largest coal-mining town; today it is the famous "Cat Village", home to well over a hundred resident cats. There is a cat-shaped footbridge over the tracks, cat-themed shops, and the relics of the old coal-washing plant to explore.

An honest note: the cats are cared for and fed at set points — please don't pick them up, feed them yourself, or make loud noise. Allow about 1–1.5 hours.

Stop 2 · The Busiest

Shifen — Release Lanterns on the Tracks (十分)

The most famous and most crowded stop on the line. Shifen Old Street runs right alongside a still-active railway track — people release lanterns straight off the rails and step aside when a train comes through, the image most associated with this area. Nearby is Shifen Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Taiwan, a short walk from the station.

An honest note: Shifen gets extremely crowded at weekends. Wherebest has a separate Jiufen + Shifen day-trip guide with full detail on Shifen and the waterfall.

Pingxi Old Street on a hillside, with old houses on both sides and visitors walking on the stone-paved lane in Pingxi District, New Taipei

Stop 3 · Namesake of the Line

Pingxi — Trains Above the Rooftops (平溪)

The town that gives the whole line its name. Pingxi Old Street is a narrow lane climbing the hillside, lined with old houses, lantern shops and local eateries. The classic photo spot is the point where the elevated railway track crosses over the town rooftops — you can stand and wait for a train to pass right above your head.

An honest note: Pingxi is much quieter and less crowded than Shifen — great if you want to release a lantern in a calm setting. Some shops close on weekdays.

Stop 4 · The Terminus

Jingtong — Wooden Station & Bamboo Wishes (菁桐)

The end of the Pingxi Line. The station building is a wooden structure the Japanese built in the 1930s and is still in use — one of the few wooden railway stations left in Taiwan. Around it you'll find Jingtong Old Street, old mine-works ruins, and the local tradition of writing a wish on a bamboo tube (竹筒) and hanging it up in place of a lantern.

An honest note: Jingtong is the quietest station, a fitting end to the line. It is the turnaround point — check the return timetable carefully.

🗺️

There are smaller stops to explore too: beyond the four main stations, the Pingxi Line has smaller stops that nature lovers enjoy, such as Sandiaoling, with a lovely three-tier waterfall hike, and Wanggu, with small waterfalls. With a one-day pass you can add these freely — but some hiking trails close for repairs, so check first.

Releasing a Lantern, Step by Step

How to Release a Sky Lantern at Pingxi— How, Where and What It Costs

You can release a lantern year-round, no festival required — the process is simple, and the shopkeeper helps you with every step.

Step 1 · Pick a shop and a colour

Choose a lantern shop, then a colour for your wish

Lantern shops line the old streets of Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong, open roughly 09:00–19:00. A lantern comes in many colours, and each colour carries a different meaning — red for health, pink for love, yellow for wealth, purple for study, blue for career. You can pick a single-colour lantern or a multi-colour one (each side a different colour).

Step 2 · Write your wish

Take a brush and write blessings on all four sides

The shop spreads the lantern out on a frame and gives you a brush and ink — write your wish or draw on all four sides of the lantern. Any language is fine: write your name, a wish, or a message to someone you love. Take your time with this part — it is the heart of the whole experience.

Step 3 · Light it and take photos

Stand on the tracks while the shopkeeper lights it and shoots photos

At Shifen, lanterns are released on the railway tracks (staff watch for safety and the train schedule). The shopkeeper lights the fuel beneath the lantern so hot air begins to fill it, and meanwhile takes photos and video on your own phone for free — the service is included in the price.

Step 4 · Let go

Count to three and release — watch it shrink to a dot

As the lantern starts to pull upward, the shopkeeper tells you to let go together. The lantern rises slowly over the valley; many people stand and watch until it becomes a tiny orange dot and disappears into the sky. It is an unexpectedly quiet, moving moment.

💵

Rough pricing: a single sky lantern costs about NT$150–200, depending on whether it is a single colour (cheaper) or multi-colour (pricier) — the price includes the brush, ink, lighting service and photos. Prices vary slightly by shop and time of day, so ask before you start writing. One lantern can be shared and released by several people, so it works well for a group.

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

The Night Hundreds of LanternsRise Together — 平溪天燈節

Once a year, around the Lantern Festival (the 15th day of Lunar New Year), Pingxi hosts a mass lantern release — one of the most spectacular festivals on earth.

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (平溪天燈節) is held around the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of Lunar New Year. In the main ceremony, lanterns are released en masse in waves — hundreds rising together in a single beat. The sight of hundreds of orange lanterns ascending over the dark valley at once has earned the festival a place on many "see it once in your life" lists. For 2026, the festival is held on two dates: February 27 in Pingxi District and March 3 at Shifen Square, with mass releases running roughly between 17:00 and 20:00.

If you want to release a lantern in the official ceremony yourself, you need a voucher — there are two ways to get one. (1) Pre-register online through the festival's official website (a fee applies), then exchange the activity number for a lantern voucher at a service counter in the afternoon on the day. (2) Free on-site vouchers are handed out in very limited numbers from around 10:30 on a first-come, first-served basis. One voucher covers one lantern shared by up to four people. Visitors without a voucher can still watch the mass release for free — and even just watching is well worth the journey.

Hundreds of sky lanterns rising into the evening sky together at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, with crowds holding up phones below — The mass release at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival — hundreds of lanterns rising together in a single wave.

Five red sky lanterns floating in a blue sky with white clouds, released from Shifen on the Pingxi Railway Line — Outside the festival, you can release a lantern any day at Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong — calmer, and no need to queue for a voucher.

⚠️

Spectacular — but it takes serious planning: on festival day the crowds run into the tens of thousands, and return trains on the Pingxi Line can have multi-hour queues — people have waited hours at Shifen Station as full trains passed by. Restroom and food lines are long. Late February to early March weather sits around 15–20°C with possible drizzle, so plan for a late return, bring warm and rain-proof layers, and avoid bringing young children or elderly travellers if they can't handle dense crowds. If you simply want to release a lantern in comfort, a normal weekday is far better than festival day.

Straight Talk

The Environmental Side of Sky LanternsWe Want You to Know Before You Release One

Sky lanterns are genuinely beautiful, but they do carry an environmental cost — we believe being honest about it helps you choose to release one more responsibly.

When a lantern's flame burns out, the lantern itself falls into the forests and streams around the Pingxi valley. The paper and the wire frame do not break down easily. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of lanterns are released in Pingxi every year, leaving tens of tonnes of debris in the surrounding hills — which can harm wildlife and add to fire risk. This is a long-standing criticism, and it is a real one worth knowing.

On the other side, there are concrete efforts to address the problem. New Taipei City has set up lantern-shell collection points and offers shopping discounts at Pingxi businesses to tourists who return lantern debris. Some elderly local residents collect fallen lantern shells from the hills as a small income. And biodegradable, eco-friendly lanterns have been developed, designed to burn up completely or break down on their own without leaving litter. If you do decide to release a lantern, we suggest you look for shops selling eco-friendly lanterns, release only at the designated spots, release just what you need, and return any debris if you see a collection point — releasing one lantern with intention is better than releasing several without a thought.

A Day on the Pingxi Line, Step by Step

One Day on the Pingxi LineStart at the End, Then Work Your Way Out

The trick is to ride all the way to the terminus first, then stop off station by station on the way back — outbound trains are emptier and the timetable is easier to manage.

07:30 · Leave Taipei

Take a TRA train from Taipei Main to Ruifang

Head to Taipei Main Station, board a TRA local train toward Keelung/Su'ao, and get off at Ruifang in about 40–50 minutes. At Ruifang, buy the NT$80 Pingxi Line one-day pass at the ticket window, and photograph the timetable.

09:00 · Ride straight to the end

Board the Pingxi Line and ride all the way to Jingtong first

Get on the Pingxi Line and ride all the way to the terminus, Jingtong, first. Explore the old wooden station, Jingtong Old Street, and write a wish on a bamboo tube — arriving early means Jingtong is still quiet and easy for photos.

10:30 · Stop off, station by station

Ride back to Pingxi and walk the old street

Take the train back and get off at Pingxi. Wander the steep old lane, wait for a train to cross the rooftops, and release a lantern here in a quieter setting than Shifen if you want to avoid the crowds.

12:30 · The highlight

Get off at Shifen — release a lantern on the tracks and see the waterfall

Continue to Shifen, the liveliest stop. Release a lantern on the railway track running through the old street, grab some street food, then walk to Shifen Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Taiwan.

15:30 · Finish with cats

Stop at Houtong, meet the cats, then head back to Ruifang

Before heading home, stop at Houtong Cat Village — cross the cat-shaped bridge and say hello to the hundred-plus cats, then take a short ride back to Ruifang and a TRA train to Taipei. Or, if you still have energy, continue to Jiufen for its red-lantern lanes at dusk.

🕐

Everything hinges on the timetable: Pingxi Line trains run only about once an hour, so the times above are a rough guide only. The key is to plan around the actual timetable for the day, don't pack the schedule too tightly, allow waiting time at every station, and check the last return service from Jingtong/Shifen carefully — don't miss the final train.

Fit Pingxi Into Your Trip

Pingxi + JiufenTaipei's Natural Pairing

Pingxi and Jiufen are close together and both branch off at Ruifang Station — so most travellers pair the two into a single day trip.

Because both Pingxi and Jiufen start from Ruifang Station, the most popular day-trip formula is to ride the Pingxi Line during the day and finish at Jiufen at dusk. Use the daylight hours to release lanterns and ride the Pingxi Line at a relaxed pace, then in the evening take a bus or train back to Ruifang and head up to Jiufen — a mountain town of red-lantern lanes and old teahouses, at its most beautiful when all the lanterns light up. Wherebest's full Jiufen + Shifen day-trip guide lays out the connections and timing in detail.

If you'd rather travel in comfort and save time, many people choose a van tour combining Pingxi/Shifen with Jiufen in one day, with a driver taking you to each stop in order — no need to gamble on the Pingxi Line trains that run only once an hour. It is especially worthwhile if you are travelling with elderly relatives or young children, or on a tight schedule.

🚐

Prefer not to gamble on train timetables?

There are van day tours that combine Pingxi/Shifen lantern releases with Jiufen in a single day — compare prices and departures on Klook (this is an affiliate link; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you).

See Tours on Klook →

Traveller's Tips

6 Tipsfor a Smooth Pingxi Line Day

📅

Go on a weekday

Pingxi and Shifen are packed at weekends and you may not be able to board some Pingxi Line trains — weekdays are far calmer.

📸

Photograph the timetable

The moment you reach a station, snap a photo of the Pingxi Line timetable — trains run hourly, so a miss means a long wait.

🎫

Pass pays off with several stops

Buy the NT$80 pass only if you'll get off at 3–4 stations; for a single stop, an EasyCard is cheaper.

🚂

Ride to the end first

Go all the way to Jingtong first, then stop off station by station — outbound trains are emptier.

🌱

Release responsibly

Look for shops with eco-friendly lanterns, release at the designated spots, and release only what you need.

🌧️

Pack an umbrella and a layer

The Pingxi valley rains often and is cooler than the city — a folding umbrella and a long-sleeve layer help.

Plan Your Trip

Fit PingxiInto Your Taipei Itinerary

Keep exploring around Taipei — pair it with Jiufen, add the Yehliu rock park, or browse every top sight in the city.

🏮

Jiufen + Shifen Day Trip

Pingxi's natural partner — Shifen sits on the same Pingxi Line, finishing in Jiufen's red-lantern lanes at dusk.

See the One-Day Guide →

🪨

Yehliu Geopark Guide

A sea-carved rock cape north of Taipei — hunt down the Queen's Head and pair it with Pingxi on a north-coast day.

See the Yehliu Guide →

📍

Top 10 Taipei Sights

All the best things to see in Taipei in one place — temples, towers, markets and mountains, with how-to-get-there and tips.

See Taipei Attractions →

Where to Stay for the Festival

Plan your base before festival-night hotels sell out

Hotels along the Pingxi Line fill fast on festival nights. Jiufen — just 30 minutes away — is the best base: sea-view B&Bs, peaceful mornings, and no Pingxi-area inventory scramble.

🏮

8 Festival-Night Base Hotels for Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2026

7 Jiufen sea-view B&Bs (30 min to Pingxi) + 1 Taipei train-hub hotel — hand-picked for the Feb 27 + Mar 3, 2026 festival nights. Something Easy Inn · Ocean Theory · Sunshine B&B · HappyLand · Twilight House · citizenM North Gate.

See 8 Base Hotels for the Festival →

🟠 Klook

🏮 Pingxi Lantern + Jiufen Day Tour
Release Your Own Lantern

The easiest way to do the full north-coast loop: release a sky lantern at Shifen, explore Pingxi village, and finish with dusk views in Jiufen — all in one guided day from Taipei. English-speaking guide handles transport and logistics so you can focus on the experience.

🛒 Check Price on Klook →

Wherebest is a Klook affiliate partner — we may earn commission at no extra cost to you

Still deciding?

Torn betweenJiufen, Shifen, and Pingxi?

The Pingxi Line passes several villages including Shifen — read our comparison to pick the best stop for your one-day trip.

⚖️

Jiufen vs Shifen vs Pingxi

Compare 3 old towns north of Taipei — atmosphere, crowds, prices, and an honest answer to "Can I do all 3 in one day?"

Read the comparison →

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know BeforeReleasing a Lantern at Pingxi

How do I get to Pingxi from Taipei, and how long does it take?

The main route is to take a TRA local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, which takes about 40–50 minutes and costs roughly NT$76. At Ruifang you transfer to the Pingxi branch line at the same platform area. The Pingxi Line runs into the valley through Houtong, Shifen and Pingxi, ending at Jingtong. Total travel time from Taipei to Shifen is around 1.5 hours. An alternative is bus 795 (the Muzha–Pingxi Shuttle) from Muzha MRT station, which runs roughly every 30–60 minutes.

Is the Pingxi Line one-day pass worth it, and where do I buy it?

The Pingxi Line one-day pass costs NT$80 for adults (NT$40 for children aged 6–12) and gives unlimited hop-on, hop-off rides on the Pingxi branch line between Ruifang and Jingtong for the whole day. You can buy it at the ticket windows at Ruifang, Houtong, Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong stations, as well as at Taipei and Banqiao. The pass only pays off if you plan to get on and off at least 3–4 stops in one day. If you only plan to visit one or two stops, simply tapping an EasyCard is cheaper.

How much does it cost to release a sky lantern, and where can I do it?

A single sky lantern costs roughly NT$150–200 depending on whether it is a single colour or a multi-colour lantern. The price includes the brush and ink to write your wish, and the shopkeeper lights the lantern, takes photos and video on your phone, and supervises a safe release. You can release lanterns year-round at Shifen (on the live railway tracks running through the old street), Pingxi and Jingtong. Lantern shops open roughly 09:00–19:00. Shifen is the busiest and most lively spot, while Pingxi and Jingtong are quieter and easier for photos.

When is the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2026, and how do I take part?

The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (平溪天燈節) in 2026 is held on two dates: February 27 in Pingxi District and March 3 at Shifen Square, with mass releases roughly between 17:00 and 20:00. To release a lantern in the official ceremony you need a voucher. There are two options: pre-register online in advance (a fee applies) and exchange the activity number for a lantern voucher on the day, or queue for a very limited number of free on-site vouchers handed out from around 10:30. One voucher covers one lantern shared by up to four people. Visitors without a voucher can still watch the mass release for free. The festival is extremely crowded and return trains can have multi-hour queues, so plan for a late return.

When is the best time to visit Pingxi?

If you want a relaxed visit without big crowds, go on a weekday. On weekends Pingxi and Shifen get very busy and the Pingxi Line trains can be so full that you cannot board some services. Leave Taipei early so you have time to stop at several stations. The Sky Lantern Festival is the most spectacular sight but it is held only once a year and is exceptionally crowded — if you want to see the festival you must accept the crowds and long waits for trains. If you simply want to release a lantern in a calmer setting, a normal weekday is a much better choice.

Are sky lanterns really a litter and environmental problem?

Yes — once a lantern's flame goes out, the lantern falls into the forests and streams around the Pingxi valley. The paper and the wire frame do not break down easily. Hundreds of thousands of lanterns are released in Pingxi each year, leaving tens of tonnes of debris in the surrounding hills. In response, New Taipei City has set up lantern-shell collection points and offers shopping discounts to tourists who return debris; elderly local residents collect fallen lantern shells for extra income; and biodegradable, eco-friendly lanterns have been developed that are designed to burn up completely. If you want to release a lantern responsibly, look for shops selling eco-friendly lanterns and release only at the designated spots. See more on Shifen and the waterfall in the Jiufen + Shifen day-trip guide.

Ready to Go

Plan Your Whole Taipei Trip
And Save Pingxi for the Day You Send a Wish Skyward

Pingxi is the day to ride a slow train and not rush — open the full Taipei city guide to plan every day, or find a well-placed hotel to use as your base.

🏮 8 Festival-Night Base Hotels → 📖 Full Taipei City Guide