Pingtung City, a Charming City in Southern Taiwan

The Pingtung Park Christmas festival.

The 2020 Christmas Festival held at the Pingtung Park is a fantastic light show. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

When it comes to Pingtung, people tend to think of the famous Kenting National Park, its beautiful beaches, the picturesque coastlines, and other popular attractions in this national park. In fact, there are some other charming places in this southernmost county in Taiwan, and among them is Pingtung City.

Please watch the following video of “A charming city in southern Taiwan.”

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Pingtung City

Located in northwestern Pingtung County, Pingtung City is a county-administered city that offers much to amuse visitors. It is the largest administrative district in the county, and it was transformed from a village called “A-kau” (阿猴 A-kâu) in ancient times.

A lighted sign spelling out 'Pingtung' at the 2020 Christmas Festival held at the Pingtung Park in Taiwan.
The 2020 Christmas Festival held at Pingtung Park is a fantastic light show. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

Pingtung Park

Pingtung Park is the largest green space in Pingtung City. With an area of 7.6 hectares (18.9 acres), Pingtung Park used to be called A-kau Park, and it was renamed Zhongshan Park in the 1940s. 

People standing with cameras at Pingtung Park to take photos of the lights during the 2020 Christmas Festival's light show.
The 2020 Christmas Festival held in Pingtung City is the longest one of its kind in Taiwan. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

A distinctive festival

To promote tourism and enhance the festive atmosphere during the period from Christmas to the lunar New Year and all the way to the Lantern Festival, the Pingtung City government has held the so-called Christmas Festival every year since 2017.

A lighted display of Christmas decorations in Pingtung Park, part of the 2020 Christmas Festival.
The Christmas decorations at the distinctive festival in Pingtung Park. (Image: Julia Fu via Nspirement)

The glamorous annual event last year took place in Pingtung Park from Nov. 27, 2020, and continues through Mar. 1, 2021. Spanning 85 days, the festival is by far the longest of its kind in Taiwan.

A lighted display of a ship breaking through icebergs, part of the decorations at the 2020 Christmas Festival in Pingtung Park, Taiwan.
The 10-meter-wide icebreaker at the Christmas Festival held in Pingtung City. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

With the theme of polar light, there are 10 categories of luminescence displayed in the park, including the “polar icebreaker,” “dancing icicles,” “polar light avenue,” and “snowfields with polar lights,” etc. The glamorous light show makes the park look like a wonderland.

'Pillars of Light' display with lighted polar bears and icebergs, part of the 2020 Christmas Festival light show at Pingtung Park, Taiwan.
The flowing ‘pillars of light’ shooting straight into the sky in Pingtung Park. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

The main item of the luminescence on display is the Icebreaker and Aurora Boulevard. It is a 5-meter high and 10-meter wide icebreaker signifying an amazing cruise heading into the mystery of the aurora. 

Polar Light Avenue.' a display with blue strings of lights wrapping trees on both sides of a lane while green strands of lights hang down from overhead, a lit avenue at the 2020 Christmas Festival, Pingtung Park, Taiwan.
The polar light avenue at the Christmas festival in Pingtung Park. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

Besides the light show, there were various musical concerts, magic shows, an artificial snowfall, and a Christmas bazaar on weekends around Christmas.

The snow field,' a display of white-colored lights along the ground to simulate snow, part of the 2020 Christmas Festival at Pingtung Park, Taiwan.
The ‘snow field’ at the Christmas Festival in Pingtung Park. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

Craftsman Residential District

Just opposite Pingtung Park, Craftsman Residential District, also referred to as “Small Paris,” is another striking attraction in Pingtung City.

Christmas lights hanging in the Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in Southern Taiwan.
The Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in southern Taiwan. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

Converted from old dormitories, the Craftsman Residential District is a block with colorful buildings that have housed various cultural and creative shops. The District allows for 32 startup teams to have a platform to realize their dreams by incorporating their love for Pingtung and their creativity.

Christmas lights hanging in the Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in Southern Taiwan.
The Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in southern Taiwan. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

The most striking feature of the District is its vibrant European murals painted on the building, which makes for an exotic ambiance similar to the art districts in some European cities.

Christmas lights hanging in the Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in Southern Taiwan.
The Craftsman Residential District in Pingtung City in southern Taiwan. (Image: Billy Shyu via Nspirement)

There are a number of creative shops selling various kinds of creative items in this distinctive district. In addition, there is a creative bazaar along with the performances of various musical bands in the District on weekends.

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