最後更新／Last Updated：2025-02-05
Unless there is heavy rain, it is quite rare to see the sky in Pingxi without sky lanterns. As I watch the lanterns slowly rise into the air, with mountains visible in the distance, I can't help but wonder: won't this lead to the tragedy of a forest fire? However, it is precisely because Pingxi is surrounded by mountains that the lanterns cannot fly out of the area. Additionally, with an average humidity of 75-80%, Pingxi is the only place in Taiwan where releasing sky lanterns is legally permitted. This unique environment has also allowed Pingxi to develop local characteristics that are unlike any other township.
Contents
◦ The History of Pingxi
Pingxi was once the homeland of the Ketagalan, an indigenous plains tribe. During the Qing Dynasty, Han Chinese settlers arrived and sustained themselves by cultivating rice in the hills and river valleys. By the end of the Qing period, rich coal deposits were discovered, leading to the emergence of the coal mining industry. In 1918, the Taiyang Mining Company was established, marking the beginning of Pingxi's rapid development. The Pingxi Line railway, originally constructed to transport coal, has since been successfully transformed into a scenic tourist railway. Today, it carries visitors through lush mountain landscapes and offers views of settlements such as Pingxi Village, Jingtong Village, and Shifen Village, all of which were influenced by the coal mining industry.
◦ Pingxi Lantern Festival
The sky lantern is traditionally believed to have been invented by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period and is also considered a precursor to the hot air balloon. According to legend, Zhuge Liang was besieged by Sima Yi in the city of Pingyang. To communicate with the outside world, he utilized the principle of hot air rising to send lanterns floating into the sky, successfully transmitting military information. This method later spread among the common people, becoming a way to send prayers to the heavens.
The tradition of releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi dates back to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty and is also associated with communication. During that time, settlers in the Pingxi area fled to the mountains to escape bandits. Once the danger had passed, those who stayed in the villages would release sky lanterns to signal to their families that it was safe to return home. After the region stabilized, releasing sky lanterns became a local custom.
Today, the annual Pingxi Lantern Festival, held during the Lantern Festival, has become one of Taiwan's most renowned folk festivals. It was even ranked by the travel channel Discovery as the second-largest nighttime carnival in the world. Witnessing hundreds of lanterns ascend into the night sky over Pingxi is truly a breathtaking sight!
◦ Attractions in Pingxi
01｜Shifen Station
Running along the Keelung River Valley, the Taiwan Railways' Pingxi Line opened in 1921, stretching about 13 kilometers from Sandiaoling Station to Jingtong Station. Originally constructed for coal transportation, it also offered passenger services. After 1970, due to a decline in coal production and population migration, there were plans to discontinue the Pingxi Line. However, thanks to the efforts of local residents, it was transformed into a tourist route. Today, the line features seven stations: Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi, and Jingtong, with Shifen Station being the largest.
As you exit the station and stroll along the tracks, you will encounter the unique sight of people writing their wishes with calligraphy brushes on sky lanterns and releasing them into the sky along the railway.
02｜Pingxi Old Street
Compared to Shifen Station and its nearby old street, Pingxi Old Street is less crowded and features more traditional houses built along the hillside. It also served as a filming location for the famous movie You Are the Apple of My Eye, where the main characters stroll around and release sky lanterns.
In addition to shops selling sky lantern-themed souvenirs, the old street also features local stores, such as traditional grocery stores and hardware shops, which contribute to the area's simple and charming atmosphere.
Pingxi Old Street Opening Hours: 0800-2200 No. 32-1, Pingxi St., Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
03｜Japanese Style Dormitories
The Japanese-style dormitory cluster near Jingtong Station was constructed gradually between 1925 and 1940 by the Taiyang Mining Company, serving as housing for employees and a clubhouse for staff during that period.
What left the deepest impression on me was the well-preserved black-tiled building known as the "Palace." The Palace was the residence of the highest-ranking mine director at Taiyang Mining. Following the decline of coal mining, the building was sold and repurposed as a restaurant.
Japanese Style Dormitories Baishijiao, Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
04｜Jingtong Mining Life Museum
In 2002, in an effort to revitalize the Jingtong Station railway dormitory, the building was transformed into a local cultural museum without altering its original structure. This renovation breathed new life into the historic site, enabling it to showcase the history of the coal mining era. The first floor features exhibits on the distribution of coal mines in Pingxi, mining surveys, and historical photographs of the Pingxi coal mining industry.
Jingtong Mining Life Museum Opening Hours: 0930-1700, closed on Monday. No. 113, Jingtong St., Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Pingxi
01｜Pingxi Story Sausage
When visiting Pingxi Old Street, not trying the da chang bao xiao chang (sausage wrapped in sticky rice) feels like missing out on a quintessential experience. Pingxi Story Sausage, located on the old street, is a popular spot where people often line up for a taste. Even though I arrived right when it opened, I still had to wait over ten minutes for my food. Perhaps because the sticky rice sausage was grilled a bit too long, I found it slightly dry. While it had a rich aroma, the texture was rather average. In contrast, the sausage was much better, with the spiciness of the garlic slices enhancing the sweet and savory flavors of the pork, making it a truly satisfying bite!
Pingxi Story Sausage No. 23, Pingxi St., Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
02｜Pingxi Mountain Spring Tofu Pudding
This tofu pudding is crafted using local mountain spring water from Pingxi, giving it a smooth texture with a light, delicate soybean fragrance. When paired with ginger syrup or brown sugar, the flavor achieves perfect balance. The toppings are equally impressive, with my personal favorites being the handmade taro and sweet potato balls.
Pingxi Mountain Spring Tofu Pudding Opening Hours: 0800-1800 No. 20, Pingxi St., Pingxi Dist., New Taipei City
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in New Taipei City
➤ Banqiao | Christmasland in New Taipei City
➤ Ruifang | A New Look for the Old Mining Town