Cheap Flights to Kaohsiung (KHH) from UK Airports

With a lively and buzzing atmosphere, the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival brings excitement to the city

Amazing firework displays, riverside lasers, and water fountain shows take place daily for two weeks, starting on the 15th day of the first lunar month, to celebrate the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. This celebration also marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.

Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is a celebration held in a city that annually attracts the most visitors to the area. Until 2001, the Lantern Festival was held in the Cultural Centre. In 2001, the Festival changed its location to Kaohsiung. This marked the first time it had been located outside of the capital of Taipei City. After this, the riverbank of Love River became the traditional location of the Festival.

Traditionally, the festival has been celebrated with the carrying of hand lanterns. These colourful lanterns of all shapes and sizes have always been the main attraction of the Lantern Festival, with local temples being decorated by many vibrant lanterns. As well as lantern exhibitions, there are also performances by dancers, local opera singers, and acrobats. These artistic and cultural displays serve to put the entire city in a festive mood. If all of this is not enough to satisfy visitors, there are plenty of traditional handicrafts and delicious snacks on offer to be sampled.

During the evening of the Lantern Festival, families eat traditional hot glutinous rice balls as part of a joyous gathering of the whole family. Children usually carry small paper lanterns outside.