Release paper lanterns in Pingxi 平溪放天燈

Trio of traditional towns famous for artisanal paper lanterns
Noteworthy for: Legend attributes the town’s traditional lanterns to Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮), who floated smaller versions as a way to communicate military intelligence during the Three Kingdoms Period.

Word to the wise: Each lantern colour symbolises something different. For example, pink for romance, red for good fortune, white for health and yellow for success.
Nestled among the mountains an hour from Taipei, Pingxi village and the neighbouring hamlets of Shifen and Jingtong were former coal-mining towns on the brink of ruin, until people discovered their artisan paper lanterns. While Chinese New Year's revellers first descended on the area for the annual Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, you can now come buy the lamps all year round, and release them into the sky to become distant dots of colour.

Travellers arrive via the Pingxi Line railway, a small 13km century-old rail line that once transported coal and miners. While the Shifen Waterfall, electric train and Taiwan Coal Mine Museum are also popular attractions, come for the lantern-making. Ten stores along Shifen Old Street, including The Three Sisters, lead do-it-yourself classes, though during the festival, the whole area is crammed with people, flaming lanterns, food stalls and carnival-style games.

Take the MRT to Muzha MRT station and transfer to bus 15 or 16 or take the East Line train to Rueifang Station and transfer to the Pingxi Line.