The traditions of a bygone era flourish at Pingxi Old Street. Picturesque wooden houses erected during the Japanese occupation and buildings from the 1930s and 1940s line this hilly, cobblestone commercial area. Inside the buildings are curios, clothing and lantern shops, street food bars and restaurants. Visit Pingxi Old Street for mouthwatering treats and to be part of one of the nation’s most vibrant annual festivals.
Arrive hungry because along the street you’ll encounter opportunities to try typical xiaochi (snacks). On offer is everything from barbecued pork sausages to grilled chicken wings and noodle dishes. Enjoy an ice cream wrap, which is ice cream, peanut shavings and coriander wrapped in a thin crepe. Sip on a bubble tea, named for the foamy layer created by shaking the beverage.
In the shops, browse for typical conical-shaped rice hats, colorful hand fans and bamboo tubes inscribed with goodwill wishes. The most famous items are the sky lanterns that come in all colors and shapes. Historically used as signaling tools by the military and local families, today they create the fascinating spectacle of the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival.
The festival coincides with the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, which is usually in February or March. Thousands congregate in the town around sunset to release their lanterns and illuminate the night sky. Prior to the release, have fun choosing your lantern and writing a message on it with a Chinese calligraphy pen. The lantern’s colors symbolize different fortunes such as academic success, health, romance and wisdom.
Pingxi Old Street is just minutes’ walk from Pingxi train station. Drivers can park on the town streets, although you should check for any restrictions. Other attractions include the Eight Spirits Cave and the Xiaozishan Trail, a hiking route that leads to the summit of Xiaozi Mountain.
