Festival sky lanterns Pingxi, Taiwan, 13 Fevrayla
While Chinese New Year striveto get all the attention currently, there is one of the most sophisticated and seductive holidays in the Chinese calendar - the annual festival of sky lanterns. He goes around the
romantic glow of his fame from the 12th to the 15th of the Lunar New Year.
Although the festival is celebrated throughout Asia, anywherein the world do
not take it with great enthusiasm than in Pingxi , town high in the mountains
about an hour from Taipei in Taiwan. This full moon night sky here is decorated
around 200,000 sky lanterns.
According to the elders of
Pingxi, Festival sky lanterns originated in the Xin Dynasty, more than two
thousand years ago. While criminal gangs made frequent raids on villages
located in the lowlands, forcing residents to seek refuge in the lush, green
mountains. Watchman villages used the "celestial fire balls" as a
signal to inform the refugees that their homes are safe. When hiding in the
mountains saw lights in the sky, they know it's time to go home.
Upon arrival in Pingxi, you
can either walk through the old town, or go directly to the main stage. We
recommend you to visit the Old Street, to meet closer to the main shopping
thoroughfare and arrived with 80,000 participants of the festival.
All gathered here dreamers buy
lights, scribbling on them their desires and ambitions, and then send them to
heaven. Lanterns made of oiled rice paper, sheepskin, bamboo yarn, silk or
satin and feature a large candle at the bottom. As the air in the lamp warmed
up, he asks for the will of the hands and kept in the air for as long as the
flame flickers.
At Old Street right on track
impatient release sky lanterns individually. Train diligently makes people run
up to the side every 15 minutes.
After kilometer walk down the
Old Street, you get close to the main stage. Unpretentious atmosphere on the
streets of the city changed dramatically. In this part of the main action is
concentrated: big screens, television cameras, celebrities and musicians from
around the world. The scene is trying to conduct the crowd, sending people from
one point to another. Do not be surprised if you get an elbow in the stomach.
Collective run begins at 6:30
pm and takes place every 20 minutes until 9:30 pm. On the main stage, while
thousands of desires go up. It's breathtaking to watch as the pitch darkness of
the sky, illuminated by soft light from below, suddenly turns into crimson,
amid jagged peaks.
Not only that the lights were
as signaling devices in ancient Pingxi, but they also herald the official end
of the Chinese New Year. Their release symbolizes the end of old ways and
optimistic hope for the unknown, the fact that the highest aspiration of the
person can be brought to fruition in the coming year.
Several recommendations
Come to ctolpotvoreniem . Nice
to get to Old Street until it is too congested. If you have any time to kill
him, visit the fascinating museum in the coal mine.
Make a list of your wishes in
advance , in the confusion of the festival, you will not have time to dive in
thought.
Do night shots. Bring a
camera, even if you are not a master photographer. Beauty surrounds you
everywhere.
Carefully plan the retreat. Overcrowded
buses are beginning to return to Taipei around 8pm. If you hurry back, buy
standing room in the bus. This turn to the left, moves much faster. And if
you're not in a hurry, stay for dinner, you will find many street vendors to
choose from.
How to get there
Plane to the capital of
Taiwan. To get to the festival vVam need to take a bus ($ 2 round trip), which
leaves from Taipei Zoo (do not even think about driving on narrow mountain
roads!). Zoo is easily accessible from anywhere in the city, thanks to a
well-organized system of underground MRT. Along the way you can admire the
terraced fields, bamboo groves and lush river valleys.
