Pingxi Lantern Festival Taiwan

“In my first couple of years in Taiwan I took family and went with friends to launch lanterns and the experience was very enjoyable. I was told by a Taiwanese friend at the time that the lanterns all land in the same areas downwind and are collected for disposal. This friend was only partially right. [...] During my own hikes in the area I've come across many old lanterns blighting an otherwise unspoiled area. After seeing this I stopped launching lanterns, though I was saddened as it was a fun activity and unlike anything found in western countries.”

“I was leading a group which included two older couples. After they’d released the lantern, one of the men began weeping. I looked up and saw that he’d written on his side of the lantern [...] Dear Jen and Pete, love Dad [...] The other couple explained that it was a message to his deceased children. I’d struggled with leading this particular tour before because of the environmental issues. But I also see that the sky lantern can be a profoundly healing experience as well.”