{"id":7053,"date":"2025-06-25T17:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T09:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=7053"},"modified":"2025-06-27T14:06:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T06:06:52","slug":"luye","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/luye\/","title":{"rendered":"Taitung \u25e6 Luye | Taiwan International Balloon Festival | TAIWAN 368-45"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Taiwan International Balloon Festival is set to kick off on July 5! While the festival mainly offers tethered balloon rides\u2014where the balloon is secured with ropes for controlled ascents and descents\u2014I was craving something more thrilling and free. So this time, I challenged myself to paragliding, and let me tell you\u2014it was totally worth it!<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\u25e6 Taitung Travel Guide<\/span><\/h6>\n

01\uff5cTransportation in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude82 Pingtung-Lampi Jieyou Sightseeing Train<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udef5 Taitung Scooter Rental - Taitung Railway Station Pickup<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udea2 Green Island Ferry Tickets<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udea2 Taitung to Lanyu Ferry Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n

02\uff5cPopular Attractions in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfab Bunun Leisure Farm Ticket in Taitung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab National Forest Recreation Area Package: Taipingshan, Chinan, Fuyuan, Zhiben<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Chu Lu Ranch Admission Ticket in Taitung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Yuan Sen Garden Ticket in Taitung<\/a><\/p>\n

03\uff5cThings To Do in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea2 Green Island Multi-day Tour Package<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Taitung East Coast Guided Nature Tour<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udf88 Hot Air Balloon Ride<\/a>
\n\u2668\ufe0f Taitung Hongye Valley Green Energy Hot Spring Park Hot Spring Package<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The Past of Luye<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

Luye, located at the southern end of the East Rift Valley, features stepped terraces shaped by tectonic movements and river erosion. This unique landscape not only creates stunning scenery but also makes the area rich in agriculture and local produce.<\/p>\n

As for the origin of the name \"Luye\", there are two main theories\u2014and interestingly, they\u2019re quite connected. In the past, this area was a vast wilderness where herds of deer often roamed, which led to the name. During the Japanese colonial era, Japan established a settlement village here, recruiting farmers from Luye in Niigata Prefecture. As a result, the original name \"Luliao\" (Deer Hut) was changed to \"Luye\".<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Taiwan International Balloon Festival<\/h6>\n

Compared to western Taiwan, Taitung was like an isolated island over a decade ago due to its limited transportation options. High operational costs discouraged many tourism businesses, causing events to come and go without long-term development.\nHowever, the county government saw the potential of Luye, a place once known for paragliding. In 2011, they made a bold decision\u2014to put Taitung on the world map by launching Taiwan\u2019s first-ever Hot Air Balloon Festival! This wasn\u2019t just another short-lived event\u2014it became a turning point for Taitung\u2019s tourism industry. Step by step, the county government aligned with international standards, refining regulations, personnel training, and hot air balloon equipment. Eventually, they extended the festival to two months, making it the longest-running hot air balloon festival in the world!<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Now, you don\u2019t have to fly to Turkey or Australia\u2014you can experience a high-quality aerial adventure right here in Taiwan, soaring above the island\u2019s majestic mountains and coastline.<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\u25e6 Attractions in Luye<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cParagliding Adventure<\/h6>\n

Since I had already experienced free-flying hot air balloons in Germany and Egypt, I wasn\u2019t too excited about the tethered flights at the festival, where balloons are secured with ropes for limited ascents and descents. Still determined to admire Taitung\u2019s breathtaking landscapes from above, I opted for paragliding\u2014and it was absolutely exhilarating! As it was my first time, the instructor was incredibly patient and thorough, ensuring that I felt completely at ease during the running takeoff from the slope. The moment my feet left the ground, an indescribable rush of excitement took over\u2014so much so that I ended up paragliding again in Nepal later on!<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Pro tip: If you want to witness hot air balloons ascending, schedule your paragliding flight between 5:30 AM and 7:00 AM during the festival for a one-of-a-kind aerial view!<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
02\uff5cLuye Highland<\/h6>\n

Starting from Longtian Village, simply follow the signs\u2014the elevation gradually increases, revealing a spectacular expansive view. Once you pass the Tea Exhibition Center, you\u2019ll see a vast, lush green meadow\u2014this is Luye Highland! As one of eastern Taiwan\u2019s best flight zones, Luye Highland is the main landing site for paragliders and the Taiwan International Balloon Festival. Even if you\u2019re not into flying, Luye Highland is a perfect spot for picnics, relaxing, and outdoor fun!<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Luye Highland<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 46, Gaotai Rd., Luye Township, Taitung<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cLuye Shinto Shrine<\/h6>\n
Nestled in Longtian Village, Luye Shinto Shrine was originally built by Taitung Sugar Company and later relocated to its current site in 1931. After World War II, the shrine was dismantled, leaving only its foundation, which was almost removed entirely. However, local residents, determined to preserve this piece of history, actively lobbied for its restoration. After years of effort, they successfully invited skilled Japanese shrine restoration artisans to collaborate with Taiwanese carpenters, and in 2015, Luye Shinto Shrine was faithfully rebuilt on its original site.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Luye Shinto Shrine<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 308, Guangrong Rd., Luye Township, Taitung<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cLuye Sika Deer Park<\/h6>\n
I absolutely love the natural setting of Luye Sika Deer Park. Instead of being filled with man-made attractions, the park prioritizes creating a pure, spacious environment for the sika deer and other animals. This minimalist approach allows visitors to fully appreciate and focus on the beauty of these gentle creatures.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/span>\"\"<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Luye Sika Deer Park<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1630, closed on Wednesday and Thursday.\nNo. 15, Sec. 1, Ruijing Rd., Luye Township, Taitung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n