Shigang Hot Air Balloon Festival Debuts August 22–24; Taichung Promotes One-Day and Two-Day Itineraries

The 2026 Taichung Shigang Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place from August 22 to 24 at Tuchiu Sports Park in Shigang District. Wu Shih-wei, Director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, announced that this year’s event will feature the world’s only 'Mazu-shaped hot air balloon' from Taitung Tianhou Temple, making its first-ever ascent in Taichung. The festival will include hot air balloon displays, tethered flight experiences, nighttime light shows, food markets, and stage performances. Additionally, recommended itineraries—'Mountain Town One-Day Tour' and 'Taichung Two-Day Tour'—are offered to encourage visitors to use the festival as a starting point to explore Shigang, the urban core, and coastal attractions, savor local cuisine, and experience Taichung’s rich and diverse tourism offerings.

Director Wu emphasized that the Shigang Hot Air Balloon Festival has become a key summer event in Taichung. This year, beyond enriching the event content, the city aims to guide tourists from passive attendees to active explorers through curated travel routes, linking mountain, urban, and coastal attractions to boost local accommodation, dining, agricultural products, and neighborhood businesses. The cross-county collaboration with Taitung’s Mazu balloon also strengthens tourism ties between Taichung and Taitung, showcasing Taichung’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and urban charm.

Shigang District Chief Hsu Tien-lung highlighted that Shigang boasts beautiful mountain landscapes, deep Hakka village culture, and abundant agricultural resources, making it a key tourism hub in Taichung’s mountain region. The 'Mountain Town One-Day Tour' recommends starting at Shigang Dam to enjoy the Dajia River valley, then cycling along the Dongfeng Green Bicycle Corridor and visiting Jiufang 3D Mural Village. Visitors can enjoy authentic Hakka cuisine for lunch, then explore Tuchiu Hakka Cultural Hall, the Wu Fu Lin Men sacred tree, and the Dianhuo Canal Ecological Trail. In the evening, they can head to Tuchiu Sports Park to witness the Mazu-shaped balloon display and related activities, experiencing the region’s natural and cultural richness in one trip.

For those with more time, the 'Taichung Two-Day Tour' is ideal. Day one includes exploring Shigang and attending the balloon festival, followed by an overnight stay in central Taichung to enjoy urban nightlife and night market delicacies. On day two, visitors can choose between coastal or urban routes—visiting Gaomei Wetlands, Wuqi Fishing Port, Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port, or exploring iconic sites like the National Taichung Theater, Caowu Boulevard, and Audit Village—fully immersing in Taichung’s blend of nature, arts, cuisine, and city life.

District Chief Hsu also noted that Shigang is an excellent destination for experiencing Hakka culture and purchasing local agricultural products. Beyond enjoying Hakka dishes and specialty foods, the region is currently in peak season for Gaojie pears, known for their fine texture, sweetness, and juiciness—Shigang’s most iconic summer agricultural product. Visitors are encouraged to purchase these premium fruits during the festival to bring home a taste of the mountain town’s summer.

The Shigang District Office explained that this year’s festival uses the hot air balloon as a starting point to invite people to slow down and immerse themselves in the area’s natural beauty, Hakka culture, and local charm, while extending their journey across Taichung to discover more tourism highlights. From August 22 to 24, visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the mountain town by day, savor local food, enjoy balloon displays in the evening, and tour Taichung’s unique attractions, creating unforgettable memories during a vibrant summer journey. For more information, visit the Shigang District Office Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/shigang.district/?locale=zh_TW.