# buildwith · Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: sources

Row #8 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site.

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Name, place (Pingxi / Shifen, New Taipei, Taiwan), continent | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Usual timing: Lantern Festival (Feb/Mar) | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| What you build / use: USE paper sky lanterns made by Pingxi/Shifen shops; write wishes and release | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| How a traveller takes part: Buy a lantern locally (year-round in Shifen) or join festival mass releases (festival lantern allocation rules not verified) | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Participation level: Use | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Entry requirements / deadline: Festival release slots: not verified | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 (primary) ·  (secondary) |
| Verification note (research pass): 2026 verified on Taiwan Tourism Administration site. | experiences_v1.csv |
| Date: Feb 2027 · date TBC: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival 2027 (around the Lantern Festival). 2027 dates not published (2026: 27 Feb and 3 Mar). | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 |
| Take-part route "Release a lantern made in Shifen" (Use local gear): Buy a paper sky lantern from a Pingxi/Shifen shop (on sale year-round in Shifen), write your wishes on it and release it, or join the festival's mass releases. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Check note: Festival lantern allocation and release-slot rules are not verified. | CSV verification notes / dated items above |
| Check note: 2027 dates are NOT published yet (2026: 27 Feb and 3 Mar). | CSV verification notes / dated items above |

## Skills you'll need (section 03)

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Skills (this experience): Preparing and releasing a paper sky lantern (writing wishes, lighting, a controlled two-person release); Knowing Pingxi's legal release zone and hours; Fire safety around open-flame lanterns | Skills research, checked 2026-10-04 (IST) |
| Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner; prep time (our estimate): 30 minutes reading. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate |
| Refresher, practice and safety steps: Buy a lantern from a Shifen or Pingxi shop; staff usually help you write wishes on the panels and hold it during lighting. / Two people hold the lantern upright by the edges while the fuel pad is lit, then wait until the hot air makes it lift on its own before letting go. Never throw it up. / Release only in calm conditions and only where it's legal: New Taipei limits releases to a designated stretch of Pingxi (Shifen Visitor Center to Yikang Bridge, within 200 m of the Keelung River and County Road 106) between 6 am and 10 pm. / Keep away from overhead wires, trees, roofs and anything flammable, and keep hair and loose sleeves away from the flame. / Festival mass releases are run by the city in waves; follow staff instructions (allocation rules weren't verified). / Practise lettering your wishes with a brush pen (four panels) so you're quick on the day. / Read New Taipei's release rules and pick the zone you'll use. / Rehearse the two-person hold and release with an unlit paper bag. / Release only in Pingxi's designated zone, 6 am–10 pm; fines apply otherwise. / Never release in wind or near wires, trees or buildings. / Tie back hair and loose clothing near the flame. | Our summary of the resources below |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan)): 2026 Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival: Official festival dates, venues and organiser (New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department). | https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?lid=081737&sNo=0002019 |
| Resource (Official; publisher: New Taipei City Government (Fire Department as competent authority)): 訂定新北市天燈施放管理辦法 (New Taipei sky-lantern release regulations): Defines the legal release zone, the night-time ban and the fines for violations. | https://wedid.ntpc.gov.tw/governance/detail/bRpVL3p8l5qj |
| No official resource yet: No official how-to video for releasing a lantern yet; festival allocation rules aren't verified. | Skills research (gap recorded) |

See also: skills guide `skills/lanterns-and-floating-lights/`

## Source audit (4 Oct 2026, IST)

Official sources first; non-official sources only if the event community widely accepts them, with evidence. Links removed or replaced on this page (old links are shown as plain text, not linked):

- Old: `taiwanstartshere.com/2026/04/09/pingxi-sky-lantern-festival/` → Removed. Why: Blog. Removed; the Taiwan Tourism Administration page already covers the facts.

## Check notes shown on the page

- Festival lantern allocation and release-slot rules are not verified.
- 2027 dates are NOT published yet (2026: 27 Feb and 3 Mar).

## Our grouping

- Levels shown: Use local gear (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Use").
- Usual months used by the month filter: Feb, Mar.