World's Only Mazu Hot Air Balloon Descends on Mountain City – Shigang Balloon Festival Kicks Off August 22 with Lee Du-hui, 911, and Show Huang-chi Lighting Up the Hills

This summer’s most eye-catching mountain city event is here! The '2026 Taichung Shigang Balloon Festival' will be held from August 22 to 24 at Touniu Sports Park in Shigang District. This year’s theme, 'Shigang Takes Flight – A Happy Mountain City,' features the first-ever appearance of the world’s only 'Taitung Tianhou Temple Mazu' hot air balloon in Taichung. On opening day, Korean cheerleading sensation Lee Du-hui will make a special appearance, followed by back-to-back performances from popular artists including 911, Show Huang-chi, and more, alongside light shows, fireworks, and family-friendly activities to keep visitors entertained from day into night.

Taichung City Civil Affairs Bureau Director Wu Shih-wei stated that the Shigang Balloon Festival has become the most iconic summer event in the mountain region. This year’s biggest highlight is the debut of the Taitung Tianhou Temple Mazu hot air balloon in Taichung. As traditional faith transforms into a vibrant, giant hot air balloon ascending into the sky, blending with Shigang’s mountainous scenery, it showcases Taiwan’s unique cultural charm and will become the most photogenic attraction of the event.

In addition to divine blessings, the opening night will shine with star power. Lee Du-hui, the Korean cheerleading sensation beloved across Taiwan, visited Taitung last year to experience the hot air balloon festival and is now making her debut at Shigang, continuing her special connection with Taiwan’s balloon events. On the evening of August 22, the popular band 911 will headline the concert; on the 23rd, Golden Melody Award winner Show Huang-chi will team up with Lin Yi-Ring for a special surprise duet, joined by Yang Jing-Yu, Wu Yu-Hsuan, SONNiE Sangni, Nuclear Nuts, Ace Band, and the CTBC Brothers cheerleading squad in a series of performances.

Shigang District Chief Hsu Tien-lung noted that the three-day event is built around four core themes: happiness, local cuisine, music, and family. In addition to musical performances, the event features the YOYO Family’s Cloud Sister, Pumpkin Brother, clown magic shows, and character meet-and-greets with the Penguin Family and Ah-Chi Kindergarten mascots for fun with kids of all ages. On the evening of August 22, an 8-minute dazzling fireworks display will light up the sky; on August 23 and 24, hot air balloon light-up music shows will blend radiant lights, dynamic music, and mountain nightscapes to create a dreamy summer evening.

The much-anticipated tethered hot air balloon rides will be available daily during the event, with morning and afternoon sessions. Each ticket costs NT$500, with 150 spots per session, available for on-site purchase 30 minutes before each ride. Each flight lasts approximately 4 to 6 minutes. Riders must be at least 110 cm tall, and children must be accompanied by a parent. Please note that hot air balloon flights are highly sensitive to wind speed and weather conditions; actual flight operations will be determined based on on-site safety assessments and official announcements.

District Chief Hsu also invites visitors to turn the festival into a mini mountain getaway. It’s currently peak season for Shigang’s high-elevation pears. After enjoying fresh pears and Hakka cuisine, visitors can explore nearby attractions such as Shigang Dam, the Dongfeng Bicycle Greenway, Jiufang 3D Mural Village, Touniu Hakka Cultural Hall, and the Dianhuo Creek Ecological Trail. For a two-day trip, travelers can extend their journey to include Gaomei Wetlands, Mitsui Outlet Park Taichung Port, the National Taichung Theater, and Caowu Boulevard, experiencing the full charm of Taichung’s mountains, coastline, and urban culture in one trip.