Raise the red (or pink or white) lantern…in Shifen.

At the beginning of the bridge there are some nice mosaic murals depicting Shifen’s famous Sky Lanterns.

And on the right we see a statue of a miner (without hands, why?) as a memory of the coal mining past.

Here we see the tracks, the statue of the miner and for who has a good eye, you can spot a bit left of the middle a red Sky Lantern crashing down;-).

Would that be why they have this big pile of fire extinguishers lying around?!

First we crossed the bridge to the other, non-touristic site of the gorge. I have to admit I got a bit seasick, even though it is a big bridge.

Not a lot of water in the river.

Looking back to the very touristic Old Street with all it’s sky lantern shops and eateries.

The scenery is beautiful. Again great for hiking. Or for walking up to the famous Shifen Waterfall. Which we did not;-). Way too hot!!!

Then we crossed the bridge again, back to the crowds on Old Street.

Lined with Lantern shops, souvenir shops, food and drinks.

What a weird, quirky shop and shop owner this was!

The Sky Lanterns are big business here!

Did I already mention that it was crowded?

REALLY crowded?

Then holding it up for some pictures. And OFCOURSE someone has to make the V-sign, after all this is Asia;-).

Wait till the lantern is filled with hot air…

And watch it take of….

And fly higher and higher…..

…joining the other lanterns high in the sky….

…untill the whole sky is filled with them.

It is said that there are locals that collect the lanterns, after they have come down from the sky (after about 10 minutes up there). Ecologically seen I sure hope that that is true in order to protect this beautiful environment.

Yes, it was super touristy, but it had a nice ambiance.

Did you ever let up a paper Sky Lantern? Where was that?