A tightly controlled trial on the Pingxi Line
Taiwan Railway Corp. (TR) will allow a trial of supervised sky lantern releases on railway tracks in New Taipei City’s Pingxi District, starting this weekend and running through the end of January 2026. The test applies during set hours and inside marked zones near stations. It coincides with a suspension of train service on the Pingxi Line while crews repair the track roadbed after weeks of heavy rain.
In Pingxi, writing wishes on paper lanterns and sending them aloft with a small flame is a signature experience for visitors. City rules already permit releases in designated places near the Keelung River. Releasing lanterns on the tracks has been illegal under the Railway Act, yet crowds often step onto the rails at Shifen Old Street to stage photos and send off lanterns. The trial is designed to concentrate this activity in controlled areas with staff oversight while no trains are running.
TR says the opening phase will be at Shifen Station, with potential expansion to Pingxi and Jingtong after the local government finalizes site maps, boundaries and time windows. The New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau will publicize the rules and direct vendors to follow them. People who ignore the time, safety and location rules can be fined under the Fire Services Act, with penalties up to NT$3,000.
What changes during the trial
During the trial, participants may enter marked sections of the track at posted times, place their lantern on the rails under guidance, and release it once staff determine that conditions are safe. Stewards are expected to manage queues and keep everyone clear of closed areas. Vendors operating near the stations will be asked to guide visitors toward the correct zones and to decline service outside the permitted windows.
The window runs through late January 2026, which aligns with the period of suspended service for roadbed repairs on the Pingxi Line. The roadbed is the foundation under the rails and ballast. Months of rain can erode it and destabilize the track. Crews plan to strengthen the subgrade and improve drainage along sections that pass directly through town centers.
Where and when
TR plans to begin at Shifen Station. The Pingxi District office has submitted proposed hours and specific areas for lantern releases at Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong. Detailed maps and time slots will be announced on site and through city channels. The city rules that ban releases between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. remain in effect.
Who sets and enforces the rules
The Pingxi District office proposes the times and areas. TR manages access to the station precincts and tracks, and coordinates crowd control. The New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau enforces the city regulations on lantern releases. Violations can draw fines up to NT$3,000 under the Fire Services Act. The city is also working on a measure that would require lantern vendors to use certification stamps and pay a sustainable development fee to support oversight.
Safety and legal context
Article 57 of the Railway Act prohibits pedestrians from entering railway routes, bridges, tunnels and station areas that are not open to the public. The trial carves out limited access only during posted hours and only inside marked zones while trains are not in operation. Outside those times and areas, the usual prohibitions apply.
The decision follows a high profile incident in August, when two Taiwanese YouTubers released a lantern on the Shifen track and received NT$10,000 fines (about US$320). They said vendors and other visitors were on the rails, which reflected the confusion that has grown at a venue where the track runs through a busy street. City and railway officials responded by promising clearer rules and stronger on site direction.
Even without trains, tracks present hazards. Ballast stones are uneven, rail heads can be slick, and work crews may move equipment through the corridor. Overhead lines and nearby buildings add more risks if a lantern drifts sideways. Supervision, boundaries and time windows are meant to reduce those risks while allowing a limited version of a popular ritual.
Culture, crowds and the Pingxi economy
Pingxi built global name recognition on lantern releases. Families and tour groups write wishes, pose for photos, and watch the paper glow float into the night sky. The practice supports a network of vendors, guides and small shops in Shifen, Pingxi and Jingtong. The line that slices through the old streets has long made the scene feel intimate and photogenic.
Managing that crowd energy is the central challenge. A supervised trial aims to keep releases orderly, reduce random incursions onto the rails, and align the experience with safety and fire rules. Officials say coordination with local vendors is a key part of making the plan work.
Environmental and fire risk concerns
Lantern debris has become a persistent complaint from hikers and residents in the hills around Pingxi. Frames and paper can land on slopes, in riverbeds or on farmland after the flame goes out. Some lanterns use thin metal wire to hold their shape, which complicates cleanup and can harm wildlife. Claims of biodegradable materials are difficult to verify, and collection crews still need to find and remove the remnants.
Fire risk depends on conditions. Dry vegetation and gusty winds elevate danger, so releases are limited to calmer periods. City rules restrict releases overnight, and staff can suspend activity during high wind or rain. The Fire Services Act gives authorities power to penalize unsafe behavior.
Visitors who want a low impact experience can choose certified paper lanterns, avoid windy days, keep matches and lighters away until staff give the go signal, and follow instructions on where to stand and how to launch.
How to participate without trouble
Anyone planning a release during the trial should treat the track area as a controlled site, just like a platform under supervision. Simple steps will keep the experience safe and within the rules.
- Check the posted windows for releases before you arrive.
- Use only the designated zones at Shifen, and later at Pingxi and Jingtong when they open.
- Follow directions from staff and police, and stay behind temporary barriers until told to enter.
- Do not release lanterns between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., which is prohibited by city rules.
- Keep clear of overhead lines and building eaves.
- Prepare your message before you reach the launch point to avoid delays.
- Never step onto the tracks outside the permitted windows or outside the marked areas.
- Respect any pause called by staff due to wind, rain or maintenance activity.
Repairs on the Pingxi Line
The trial proceeds during a planned pause in rail service. Heavy rain earlier this year weakened sections of the roadbed beneath the Pingxi Line. Engineers are reinforcing the subgrade, replacing ballast and checking drainage so that tracks remain stable through the wet season. Suspending traffic protects crews and prevents further damage.
Why the roadbed matters
The roadbed is the last layer of earthwork that supports the ballast and rails. If it erodes, the track can settle unevenly and misalign. Repairs take time to compact and settle, which is why service is paused until the work is complete.
What happens after the trial window closes
The temporary access ends when the trial period wraps up at the end of January 2026. Regular restrictions will apply again once trains resume on the Pingxi Line. Officials plan to review compliance, crowd behavior and safety outcomes from the trial before deciding on any future arrangements. National regulators have been reviewing whether parts of the Railway Act need updates for tourist heavy lines. Visitors should check official notices for the latest rules before planning a lantern release.
Key Points
- TR will run a controlled trial allowing sky lantern releases on Pingxi tracks.
- Trial begins at Shifen Station, with possible expansion to Pingxi and Jingtong.
- Dates: starting this weekend through the end of January 2026.
- Train service is suspended for roadbed repairs after heavy rains.
- Releases are allowed only at posted times and in marked zones.
- Violations can draw fines up to NT$3,000 under the Fire Services Act.
- The Railway Act still prohibits track access outside the permitted windows.
- August case of YouTubers fined NT$10,000 highlighted confusion and prompted clearer rules.
- Environmental and fire safety remain central to policy decisions.
- City officials will inform the public and ask vendors to follow the rules.
