Taitung Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Opens at Dawn, Tourists Arrive at 1 AM to Secure Spots

(CNA, Reporter Chang Chi, Taitung County, July 4) The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Fiesta opened at around 5 AM today. To secure the best viewing positions, many "fans" headed up the mountain in the dark before dawn, with some tourists arriving at the event site on Luye Highland as early as 1 AM to claim their spots.

A tourist from Tainan, who came specifically to see the hot air balloons, arrived in Taitung by car with their family of three yesterday. They headed straight to the large grassy area of Luye Highland at 1 AM today, all to get the best viewing spot.

Another first-time attendee said they didn't have a particular shaped balloon they wanted to see. They initially thought arriving an hour before the event would be plenty of time, but unexpectedly encountered traffic jams along the way, feeling the charm of the hot air balloons even before they began.

The "Chiikawa Hot Air Balloon," making its debut this year, is the biggest highlight. Fans from the north specially chartered a tour bus just to witness its ascent.

The Taitung County Government estimates that tens of thousands of tourists gathered on the large grassy area of Luye Highland before dawn. Tourists brought their own picnic mats or sat directly on the ground, watching the hot air balloons in the most comfortable positions. The host on-site introduced the characteristics of each hot air balloon and its country of origin one by one.

The county government stated that this year's event brings together pilots from 17 countries, including Belgium, Mexico, and Japan, with over 40 hot air balloons taking turns throughout the 41-day event.

The county government also mentioned that in addition to the debut of Chiikawa, many international shaped balloons are making their first appearance in Taiwan, including Canada's Mushroom Baby and Pixie, the Netherlands' Ice Cream Cone, and Japan's Yuzu Moe. Taiwanese hot air balloons include Black Pine FIN Water Baby, PX Mart Welfare Bear, and Taipei Bravo Bear.

The Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will be held at Luye Highland from today until August 20. During the event, there will be shaped hot air balloon exhibitions, tethered rides, a light show concert, drone performances, and fireworks. For more details, please visit the official event website. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150704

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