In 2026, the Chinese Lunar New Year arrived later than usual: the Year of the Horse officially commenced on February 17. In the days that followed, Taiwan paused its daily bustle as families gathered to reunite, share meals, and offer prayers and incense at local temples.

The traditional climax of the Lunar New Year season is called Yuanxiao Jie in Mandarin and Lantern Festival in English. Historically celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month (the first full moon of the new year), the modern celebration has grown into a multi-day extravaganza in which dazzling lanterns are just one part of the spectacle.

Since 2001, the government-supported national-level Lantern Festival events have rotated among different cities or counties. This year, hosting honors go to Chiayi County, where the event “Illuminating Taiwan, Lighting Up Chiayi,” runs from March 3 to 15.

The exhibition areas will cover four open spaces at the Front Plaza of Chiayi County Government and Prince Boulevard. The 21-meter-tall main lantern, however, pays homage to Alishan’s forests and timber heritage in Chiayi’s mountainous east. The artists behind this masterpiece of creativity and sustainability, titled Radiant Glow — Alishan of the World, drew inspiration from the region’s sacred trees, its mists, and its stunning sunrises. It’s a work that alludes to the very distant past while looking optimistically to the future.

The 2026 Lantern Festival includes themed zones that combine lantern traditions with modern culture and the latest technologies. This year, the “Super Mario: Star Festival” celebrates the eponymous videogame/pop-culture icon through interactive games. Other sections showcase the myths of the Tsou indigenous people who call Alishan home, rural arts and regeneration, the creativity of Chiayi’s young people, and elements of local culture. Thousands of small yet colorful paper lanterns are being distributed for free — ideal lightweight souvenirs for visitors.

In addition to firework shows and drone displays, this year’s Lantern Festival will include Japanese nebuta floats, shows by Taiwan’s Paper Windmill Theatre and Ming Hwa Yuan Taiwanese Opera troupes, as well as other performances.

Nearby, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum was established to showcase one of the world’s most important collections of art and artifacts. Its parent institution in Taipei can display only a small portion of its vast holdings at any given time. More than an expansion, the Southern Branch aims to reflect Asia’s cultural diversity, with exhibitions spanning themes such as Buddhism, tea culture, and textiles.

Within 2 km of the museum, Suantou Sugar Factory Cultural Park is one of several sites around Taiwan where relics of the island’s once-mighty sugar industry have been converted into tourist attractions steeped in nostalgia. Visitors arriving in Chiayi by high-speed railway can walk a short distance before boarding one of the country’s slowest trains. This heritage narrow-gauge railway once hauled sugarcane from plantations, for an enthralling ride through the countryside to the factory complex.

Alishan’s reputation precedes it, and most international travelers have it on their must-visit list long before they land in Taiwan. Perched more than 2,000 meters above sea level, the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area — the terminus of a historic mountain railway — remains a major draw, especially during the March-to-April cherry blossom season, when Yoshino cherry trees cover the slopes in pale pink.

The forest recreation area offers a range of hiking options. The Giant Trees Boardwalk Trail doesn’t take much more than an hour; as its name suggests, it connects some of the area’s most impressive arboreal landmarks. The family-friendly Sister Ponds Loop Trail is also quite short. Far more challenging routes lead to the top of Mount Data (2,663 meters above sea level) and along the long-abandoned Mianyue Branch Line of Alishan’s world-famous logging railway. Anyone hoping to do the latter in its entirety must apply for a permit online between five and sixty days in advance.

Outside the forest recreation area, Eryanping Trail is a frequented path. Situated much closer to Chiayi City, it’s an attractive option for those who aren’t overnighting in the hills. This trail culminates at a ridge from which ethereal “sea of clouds” and cascading “cloud waterfall” phenomena are often visible. Because sunset aficionados rate this spot so highly, late-afternoon visitors can expect to see tripod-toting shutterbugs staking out positions in the hope of capturing some stunning images.

Those traveling from Chiayi City to Alishan by train will experience three distinct ecological zones. Between the tropical forest that covers hillsides up to around 800 meters above sea level, and the much higher temperate forest, there’s a band of subtropical forest, nestled in the small town of Fenqihu.

Since the completion of the logging railway in 1912, Fenqihu has served as a way station where locomotives once refueled and passengers sought a quick meal. The bento lunch boxes they picked up on the platform have become an enduring draw. Together with local treats such as aiyu jelly, these lunch boxes are sold on the pedestrian street running parallel to the station platforms.

Beyond trains and food, Fenqihu is also a hiking hub for both casual strollers and serious outdoor types. Well-maintained boardwalks allow you to get deep into the surrounding forest in a matter of minutes. For the energetic, zigzagging to the top of 1,976-meter-high Mount Dadong is one option. Another is the half-day tramp along a historic trading route to Ruili, a mountain village famous for its early spring fireflies.

Whether you come for the radiant spectacle of the Lantern Festival or the serenity of Chiayi’s mountain landscapes, the region offers a deeper encounter with the spirit of Taiwan. There’s no better season to experience it.

TOURIST INFORMATION
Travelers hoping to attend the 2026 Lantern Festival and/or explore the Alishan region can gather additional information from the following websites:
Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi (multilingual)
Tourism Administration (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (multilingual)
Alishan National Scenic Area (multilingual)
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (multilingual)

The 24-hour tourist information hotline (0800-011-765) is toll-free within Taiwan and staffed by speakers of English, Japanese, and Chinese.

The central government’s Tourism Administration and International Trade Administration are collaborating to encourage international travelers attending MICE events in Taiwan to explore the country through the Travel Incentive Program. In 2025, the program provides travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit, with a maximum of NT$600,000 per proposal. The program aims to promote the development of both the MICE and tourism sectors, thereby supporting economic growth.