Experiencing Kaohsiung's Joyful Lantern Festivals

　The recently-concluded 2023 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival emphasized local characteristics. Lotus Pond in Zuoying served as the main venue, with three other lantern festivals being held in Gangshan, Cishan, and Linyuan. Tourists from both home and abroad relished the dazzling lanterns in Kaohsiung and experienced the traditional Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival holidays. 

　Lotus Pond's distinctive pavilions and pagodas are well-known scenic attractions among both Taiwanese and international travelers. There are more than 20 temples and shrines around Lotus Pond, among which Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Wuliting, and Confucius Temple are the best known.

　Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and the statue of Syuanwu (a Taoist deity) played essential roles in the festival's principal display. The six-minute light and laser show that illuminated these landmarks was the highlight of the Lantern Festival's formal opening on January 26. 

　After dark, complemented with temple lights and laser beams, Nine-Cornered Bridge and Dragon and Tiger Pagodas exuded a colorful and distinctively oriental ambiance, while Lotus Pond created a bustling festival atmosphere. “The Lantern Festival radiates a uniquely Taiwanese flair,” exclaimed many visitors. 

　During the festival, visitors had ample opportunities to appreciate the architecture and ornate decoration of the antique temples that surround the lake. During the day, many strolled through the scenic area and offered prayers in the temples. At night, the sparkling lanterns created a different perspective and experience of local religious culture and history.

　To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, Lotus Pond was surrounded by eye-catching light installations and rabbit lanterns. The main display, a giant inflatable Machiko Rabbit floating on the water, became a popular photo spot for people of all ages.

　In Gangshan District, the main lantern display was titled, “Reborn ‧ Dance Together.” Its design was inspired by a local specialty, honey. Craftsman Lin Chun assembled a honeycomb-shaped lantern woven using bamboo, and Yang Hai-cian crocheted it with colorful cotton threads, creating geometric figures that symbolized the blossoming of hope. This artistic feast blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, making the Gangshan Lantern Festival a refreshing experience for all. 

　Rabbit-dyed fabric with lighting decorations on Cishan Old Street was the most creative feature of Cishan Lantern Festival. Craftsmen at an art workshop sketched and dyed the contours of rabbits using the colors of local agricultural products including bananas, lychees, and edamame. Kunjhou Temple and Cishan Tianhou Temple were surrounded by dazzling lanterns and LED light installations, while the stairs of Gushan Park were also adorned with cute rabbit lanterns that exuded a childlike and cheerful ambiance. 

　In Linyuan District, which is located at the southernmost tip of Kaohsiung, visitors were greeted by a ten-meter-long lighting arch for the Year of the Rabbit. Linyuan's coastline is stunning, and travelers strolling through the fishing village are always sure to feel the genuine warmth of the locals.

蓮潭燈會經典年味 岡山×旗山×林園燈會最吸睛

　　2023高雄燈會強調在地特色，燈會主場選在左營蓮池潭，另外也有岡山燈藝節、旗山燈會及林園燈會三個燈會場域。海內外遊客在高雄走春賞燈，感受饒富傳統年味的春節與元宵假期。

　　蓮池潭獨特的亭台樓閣地景聞名中外，蓮池潭周邊廟宇多達20餘間，其中以龍虎塔、五里亭、春秋閣、孔廟最富盛名。

　　今年燈會動態主燈以龍虎塔、春秋閣、玄天上帝神像為主體，結合廟宇燈光及雷射光束，蓮池潭夜間展現熱鬧的節慶氛圍，而散發東方意境的九曲橋和龍虎塔格外繽紛喜氣。燈會開幕(1月26日)的亮點是6分鐘的燈光秀搭配光雕雷射串連龍虎塔、春秋閣五里亭，和玄天上帝神像，遊客盛讚「燈會很有味道！」

　　燈會期間廟宇配合點燈，賞遊環湖廟宇建築，白天賞遊蓮池潭，亦可至廟宇祈福，夜晚賞燈，感受當地宗教文化與歷史底蘊，格外有意思，為迎接兔年，蓮池潭四周佈置璀燦吸睛的造型燈飾、兔子燈籠，蓮潭水面的主燈「ㄇㄚˊ幾兔」，是大小朋友熱門拍照景點。

　　賞燈遊客足跡來到高雄岡山，岡山公園的主燈「重生‧共舞」以岡山的特產蜂蜜為創作靈感，藝術家林純用搭起竹藝編織的蜂巢造型，藝術家楊海茜以繽紛棉線鉤織成幾何圖形，象徵希望花朵，岡山燈藝節融入地景的藝術饗宴讓人耳目一新。

　　旗山燈會最富創意是位於旗山老街的兔子染布搭配燈飾，藝術工作坊匠師融入在地香蕉、荔枝、毛豆等農產品的色系作為染藝視覺，繪染出兔子輪廓。而旗山天后宮、鯤洲宮周邊懸掛燈籠和LED燈飾，鼓山公園裡，俏皮可愛的兔子燈分布於階梯上，充滿童趣。

　最後造訪位於高雄最南端的林園區，迎接旅人的是長達10米的兔年拱門燈飾，林園區的海岸線風光優美，旅人漫步漁村，感受滿滿的人情味。