Exploring Shifen Sky Lantern Village in Taiwan
Shifen (十分, Shifen) is a small tourist destination in New Taipei City’s Pingxi District, accessible from central Taipei by train and bus.
As in South Korea, sky lanterns cannot simply be released anywhere. In Taiwan, the Shifen station area is also the only place in the region where their release is officially permitted.
Many visitors come here to send sky lanterns into the sky with their wishes written on them. The area is especially popular on New Year’s Day, when people arrive to make wishes for the year ahead.
The Pingxi railway line runs directly through the center of the village. Most visitors come for the shops lining the tracks, the sky lantern experience, and nearby Shifen Waterfall.
The destination itself is not large. Most visitors spend around two hours here, or at most half a day.
Where Is Shifen Village?
New Taipei City, Pingxi District, Taiwan 226
Shifen Old Street: Layout and Atmosphere
Shifen Old Street consists of shops packed along both sides of the railway tracks. This is not a conventional pedestrian shopping street: people move around the tracks, which are still used by passenger trains. When a train approaches, shop staff and public announcements direct visitors away from the tracks. Visitors should take particular care when walking around or taking photographs.
Most businesses are sky lantern shops, casual street-food stalls, and souvenir stores. There is not much here to keep visitors shopping for an extended period. Around peak visitor times, the area beside the tracks becomes crowded and movement slows considerably. Crowds are particularly heavy on weekends, public holidays, and when tour groups arrive.
It was raining and crowded when I visited, which made the whole place feel rather hectic.
Sky lanterns were still being released despite the rain. I had hoped to see a train pass through the shopping street, but no trains were running during the time I was there.
As I explain in more detail in the transportation section below, trains do not seem to run particularly frequently.
That may actually be better for the shops. Visitors are constantly standing on the tracks to release their lanterns.
The Sky Lantern Experience
The main attraction in Shifen is the chance to release a sky lantern. Lanterns can be purchased on the spot, with prices varying according to the color scheme and number of sides.
They are generally available in single-color, two-color, and four-color designs, with more colors costing more.
The experience usually involves writing wishes on the lantern with guidance from shop staff, lighting the fuel source, and releasing it from a designated area near the railway tracks.
Although the process may look informal, visitors are generally expected to follow the location and timing specified by the shop.
On windy or rainy days, the experience may be restricted, and lanterns may not fly properly. Released lanterns are not collected, which has led to considerable criticism over the environmental impact.
The environmental concerns have reportedly created a separate line of work for people who collect the lanterns.
The government is said to pay authorized collectors approximately 800 won for each lantern they retrieve. This payment is available only to people who have received official approval to collect them.
I was concerned about the risk of forest fires, given that several thousand lanterns are released each day. When I asked about it, I was told that Taiwan’s subtropical climate keeps the area humid enough to prevent forest fires.
In other words, unlike South Korea, Taiwan does not experience four sharply distinct seasons that leave the landscape dry enough for fires to spread.
Shop staff often help take photographs, usually capturing a few pictures or a short video focused on the moment the lantern is released.
When the area is crowded, it can be difficult to get the composition you want.
Comparing Ways to Reach Shifen Sky Lantern Village
Getting from Central Taipei to Shifen Station (Prices Converted to Korean Won)
1 TWD ≈ KRW 43 / All prices are for one-way travel
1. By Train
(Taipei → transfer at Ruifang → Shifen)
Route
Taipei Main Station (TRA Taiwan Railways) > get off at Ruifang Station and transfer to the Pingxi Line > get off at Shifen Station
Travel Time
Taipei → Ruifang: approximately 45–60 minutes > Ruifang → Shifen: approximately 20–30 minutes > total, including transfer time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
Train travel can take up to 3 hours 30 minutes one way. The Pingxi Line has long intervals between trains, so the total journey may be extended by the transfer wait.
Fares (Converted to Korean Won)
Taipei → Ruifang
Regular train: NT$73 – approximately KRW 3,100 / Express train: NT$114 – approximately KRW 4,900
Ruifang → Shifen
Short-distance fare: NT$15–20 – approximately KRW 650–860
Total One-Way Train Cost
Approximately KRW 3,700 at the minimum – approximately KRW 5,800 at the maximum
The Best Train Option Is a One-Day Pass
Pingxi–Shen’ao Line One-Day Pass: NT$80 approximately KRW 3,400 Useful if you plan to visit several stations, including Shifen, Pingxi, and Jingtong, in one day
2. By Bus
(Direct from Taipei to Shifen)
Route
Depart from Taipei MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line), Taipei Zoo Station > get off at Shifen Old Street or the Shifen Visitor Center
Travel Time
Approximately 60–70 minutes Delays are possible depending on road conditions.
Fare (Converted to Korean Won)
NT$45 ≈ approximately KRW 1,900
Choosing Where to Get Off
Shifen Old Street: best for the sky lantern experience and shops along the tracks
Shifen Visitor Center: more convenient if you also plan to visit Shifen Waterfall
Bus
Fare: approximately KRW 1,900 / Travel time: approximately 1 hour / Advantages: no transfers, inexpensive / Disadvantage: affected by traffic conditions
Choosing How to Get to Shifen Sky Lantern Village
The train is a good option if you want to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace. However, when both cost and travel time are taken into account, the bus is the more practical choice.
Things to Keep in Mind
The railway is an active operating line, so follow staff instructions immediately.
During busy periods, you may have to wait to take photographs.
The sky lantern experience may be less enjoyable on rainy days.
Shop prices are not fixed, so check the price before making a purchase.
There are not many food options, and this is not an ideal destination for a full meal.
Final Thoughts on Shifen Sky Lantern Village
Shifen is not a destination that requires a long visit. It has one clear purpose—the sky lantern experience—and people come primarily to take part in it.
Visitors expecting extensive historical interpretation or a wide range of attractions may be disappointed. On the other hand, Shifen suits travelers planning a short, photo- and activity-focused stop.
The area is well developed as a tourist attraction, but it is not centered on preserving a traditional village or exploring nature. Recognizing that it is a crowded, commercialized space can help narrow the gap between expectations and the experience on the ground.
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