New Taipei launches amended sky lantern rules

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railways Administration will launch a trial allowing visitors to release sky lanterns on the railway track at Shifen Station in New Taipei City on weekends from Saturday through January 2026.

The intention is to balance safety with tourism. If the trial in Shifen is successful, the model will be applied at Pingxi and Jingtong stations.

Pingxi District Chief Lee Tian-ming (李天民) was quoted as saying he had submitted proposals for designated areas and times for lantern releases to the railway administration.

Currently, lanterns may be legally released from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. between the Shifen Visitor Center and the stretch along the Keelung River to Shigong Bridge. Individuals are responsible for any damage caused by their lanterns, while large groups need a permit. Fines for non-compliance can reach NT$3,000 (US$97) under the Fire Safety Law.

In related news, Youtubers Tsai Tai-tai and Tsai Sheng-sheng (蔡蹄特特與蔡生生) were in August fined NT$10,000 for releasing lanterns on the Shifen Station railway track, also per CNA. They issued a public apology but pointed out they were not the only ones doing so and had been encouraged by vendors.

The sky lantern tradition in Pingxi dates back nearly 200 years, originally as a safety signal against bandits. It is now a renowned festival and year-round cultural event.

Participants write wishes for fortune and success on large paper lanterns before releasing them into the night sky. The annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, held around February, draws global crowds to Shifen Old Street.