Pingxi Sky Lantern Day Trip from Taipei: Small Group Tour

Write your wish on a lantern and watch it rise over Pingxi village

A small-group day trip from Taipei visits three stops on Taiwan's northern coast: Yehliu Geopark with its dramatic rock formations, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival site where you write a wish and release a lantern, and Jiufen Village with its historic teahouses and shops. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional English guide, and lunch are included. The group stays under five people for a more personal pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Taipei to Yehliu, Pingxi, Jiufen

• Meet driver at Taipei hotel
• Visit Yehliu Geopark
• See Shifen two-toned water and Golden Waterfall
• Lunch and Sky Lantern experience in Pingxi
• Free time in Jiufen Old Street
• Return to Taipei hotel

The experience

The day starts at your Taipei hotel, where a driver picks you up and heads north toward the coast. Yehliu Geopark is the first stop, a landscape of weathered rock pillars and sea cliffs overlooking the Yin Yang Sea. The water's two-toned color comes from mineral deposits in the northern and southern currents. From there, the route moves inland to Shifen, where you'll see the Golden Waterfall and the dramatically two-toned water that runs through the village.

Lunch happens in Pingxi, and with it comes the core of the day: the sky lantern experience. Pingxi is the site of Taiwan's annual Sky Lantern Festival, and you'll write a wish or intention on a paper lantern, light the candle at its base, and release it to drift up over the village. After that moment, you continue to Jiufen, the historic mountain town that inspired the animation in Spirited Away. You have free time to wander the old street, browse souvenir shops, or sit in one of the atmospheric teahouses that line the narrow lanes.

The return to Taipei is scenic, and the tour ends at your hotel. A professional English guide travels with the group throughout, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit your pace or interests: discuss any changes with the travel consultant after booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Taipei.
• private tour with a professional English-speaking guide.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• fuel surcharge.
• lunch in Pingxi during the sky lantern experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TTtrips

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a free afternoon or morning and want to see Taiwan's rural coast and mountains without managing public transport: the private format with hotel pickup means you travel on your own schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Chinese and Chinese.

What exactly happens when you release a sky lantern in Pingxi?

You write a wish or intention on the paper lantern, light the candle at its base, and watch it rise into the air above the village. It's the same tradition practiced at Taiwan's annual Sky Lantern Festival, and you participate in it as part of the tour.

What is Yehliu Geopark and why is it on this tour?

Yehliu Geopark is a coastal landscape of distinctive rock formations and sea cliffs on Taiwan's northern coast, overlooking the Yin Yang Sea. The rock pillars and geological formations are shaped by wind and water erosion, and it's considered a must-see natural site in Taiwan.

How much free time do you get in Jiufen Village?

The itinerary includes free time in Jiufen to explore the old street, visit teahouses, and browse shops at your own pace. The exact length of time can be discussed with the travel consultant after booking, as the itinerary is flexible.

Is food included, or do I need to budget for meals?

Lunch is included in Pingxi during the sky lantern experience. Other meals and drinks are not included, so budget for breakfast before pickup and any additional snacks or beverages throughout the day.

How does pickup work if I'm staying at a smaller guesthouse?

Hotel pickup is included at Taipei hotels. Confirm your exact address and hotel name when you book, and the tour operator will contact you one day before departure with the pickup time and your guide's contact number.