Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (03/06/2010)

Another Chinese New Year-related festival I had the great fortune of attending was the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, located an hour east of Taipei in (predictably) Pingxi.  Originally thought to be a way of communication, the purpose of the festival appears to be to send one's wishes and prayers into the heavens aboard these beautiful (and highly flammable) wax (kerosene?) paper and plastic  This year over 3,000 were released, most of them in time and colour synchronized waves from a public school yard. Piles of people, great night market food, and overall a wonderful (and less dangerous) experience than Yanshuei. Also have a video for this one too (see bottom)!

Video here: