The Lantern Festival (元宵節) falls on the 15th day of the first Lunar Month. The Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the Lunar New Year and symbolizes the return of spring. It is one of Taiwan's most celebrated festivals. During the Lantern Festival, people make paper lanterns, eat sticky rice balls (湯圓) and guess riddles.

The Lantern Festival is first part of a triad of festivals for Taiwan; each falling on the 15th day. The Ghost Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival each fall on the 15th day of the Seventh and Eighth Lunar Months respectively.

There are many legends associated with the Lantern Festival, many of which involve the celebration of a heroic figure in China's history. However, here are some of the more colorful, romantic legends that explain the origins of this special festival.

• The Legend of The Heavenly Crane

  In this legend, a beautiful crane flew down to earth from heaven. Once on earth, it was hunted and killed by some villagers. This made the Jade Emperor angry because he loved the crane. To exact his revenge,The Jade Emperor decided to destroy the village with a catastrophic fire. However, the emperor's daughter took pity on the villagers and warned them about her father’s plan. A wise man instructed that every family should hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and explode firecrackers on the 14th, 15th and 16th Lunar Days.

  On the 15th Lunar Day, the Jade Emperor sent his troops to destroy the village. When they saw that the village was already burning, they returned to heaven without destroying the village. From that day on, people celebrated by carrying lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and fireworks.

• The Legend of Yuan-Xiao

  During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu had a favorite adviser named Dong-Fang Shuo (東方朔). One day he found a young girl crying in the garden, preparing to end her life. When asked why, the girl said that she had never had a chance to see her family since coming to work as a maid in the palace. Her name was Yuan-Xiao (元宵). Moved by her story, Dong-Fang Shuo told Yuan-Xiao that if she didn't take her life, he would help her. She agreed.

  After leaving Yuan-Xiao, Dong-Fang Shuo left the palace ground and set up a fortune telling stall on the street. Because of his reputation, many people asked to have their fortunes told. Everyone received the same fortune; a disastrous fire would take place on the 15th day of the 1st Lunar Month. Word of this spread throughout the village until it eventually made its way to the emperor himself.

  Dong-Fang Shuo explained to the emperor that on the 13th day, The Jade Emperor would send a fairy wearing red and riding a black horse to destroy the village by fire. He explained that the fire gods loved to eat sticky rice balls (湯圓) and since Yuan-Xiao made the best sticky rice balls, she should prepare some to appease the gods. Dong-Fang Shuo went on to explain that the village should hang red lanterns and set off fireworks to create the appearance that the village was on fire. The Emperor thought the plan was brilliant and sent for Yuan-Xiao right away.

  As the lanterns were being hung and the sticky rice balls were being made, the emperor opened the palace grounds up to the public. Not only were Yuan-Xiao and her family reunited but Yuan-Xiao was also heralded as the heroine who saved the village with her sticky rice balls.

  From then on, people have celebrated the Lantern Festival, or Yuan-Xiao Festival, by eating sticky rice balls, carrying lanterns and setting off fireworks.

The Lantern Festival had been quickly fading from the consciousness in Taiwan's busy and commercial society. To reverse this trend, and bring back the festive air of the occasion, the Tourism Bureau planned the first large-scale festival on the 15th day of the first Lunar month, aiming to create a unique world-class event on par with the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany, Hokkaido Snow Festival, and Brazil's Carnival, to attract international visitors. Since that time, the Lantern Festival held annually by the Tourism Bureau has become a highlight event in Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Tourism Bureau held the first Lantern Festival in 1990. This year, the event enters its 23rd year. Each year, the festival features a Main Theme Lantern based on the Chinese zodiac animal for the new years. This is complemented by secondary lanterns and areas highlighting different decorative lantern themes, such as the Blessing Lantern Area and Joyous Lantern Area. The event opens with performances by well-known local and international performance groups. In 2012, the Lantern Festival will be held in Lugang, Changhua County. Make sure not to miss it!

• Government of Taiwan Information Office - The Lantern Festival
• Hudong.com - 元宵節
• Chinese Lantern Festival - Legend of the Lantern Festival
• Taiwan Bureau of Tourism - 2012 Lantern Festival in Lugang

Link: http://iff.immigration.gov.tw

The National Immigration Agency of Taiwan has a 24-hour hotline available to foreigners who live in Taiwan. It is a free service with a choice of 3 languages: English, Chinese and Japanese. The IFF Hotline provides assistance with visas, residency, work and much more.

Their phone number is 0800-024-111. The number is symbolic of the IFF Hotline mission statement: 0800 means the call is free; 024 means the service is available 24 hours a day; 111 stands for "Service first. Professional Spirit first. Efficiency first."

• The National Immigration Agency - NIA's English Website.
• Information For Foreigners - IFF 24-Hour Hotline.
• Taiwan What's Up - Bilingual Bi-weekly Newsletter.

Qing Liang Temple, a Pure Land Buddhist shrine built in 1983, is the largest Buddhist temple in Taiping City. This temple is designed in a style reminiscent of the Ming Dynasty. It has many different buildings to explore such as the Main Hall, Pusa Temple and Goddess of Mercy Temple. The Qing Liang Temple also has one Taiwan's largest bronze bells, inscribed with all of the Diamond Sutra. The Infinite Light Hall contains more than 1000 Buddha icons.

From Taichung's main road, Zhong Gang Rd.(台中港路), drive towards the city center and then turn right on San Min Rd.(三民路）. After a few blocks, make a left onto Min Quan Rd.(民權路). At Fu Xing Rd turn left and drive for about 5 minutes until you get to Le Ye Rd.(樂業路). Turn right. this road will change names a few times before becoming Chang Long Rd.(長龍路). Stay on this road for about 30 minutes. The Qing Liang Temple will be on the left.

• The Buddhist Association of Taiwan - An Introdutction to the Temples of Taichung County

*** CLOSED AS OF JULY 1ST.

Airy Breath is a charming eatery nestled in the side streets around Da Dun 17^th St. and Da Sheng Street (大墩十七街和大聖街). Specializing in breakfast and brunch, the menu at Airy Breath provides a delicious assortment of set meals and a la carte items. Favorites include omelets, pancakes and home style hamburgers. In addition, Airy Breath offers a complete line of coffees and teas

Prices are very reasonable, with a brunch set meal costing under NT$200.

Check into Airy Breath on Facebook to receive a discount!

Silence is a wonderful way to reconnect with one's authentic self. Take the time to be fully present in an environment of few distractions where you can connect with the peace and tranquility that resides within. This get away offers a much needed breather from the high energy environment of daily life. Although the main focus is silence there will also be an opportunity for open discussion about people's experiences during the retreat as well as a chance to peer briefly into core principles of Buddhism and get a taste of modern day monastic living.

When: December 17th – 19th, 2010 (Friday night to Sunday afternoon)

Where: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Da Shu, Kaohsiung Co.

Cost: 2000 NT covers both food and lodging

What to bring: comfortable/seasonal (modest) clothing, writing materials, camera, walking shoes, cap, sun glasses, towel, thermos\cup.

What Not to bring: alcohol, perfume/cologne, make up (basic skin care ok), electronic devices (must be turned off throughout silence segments – includes evening time)

Watch this short video about the Silent Retreat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvOEwnBwYSo

The Fengjia Night Market (逢甲光夜) is perhaps Taichung's largest and most popular night market; providing an assortment of shops to browse through, games to play and most notably, snacks to please any palate. In fact, this year the food at Fengjia Night Market received top place, tied with Keelung's Miaokou Night Market, in terms of taste in a competition judged by a committee organized by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan.

The Fengjia Night Market is centered around Fengjia University. Although the main part of the market is primarily along Wenhua Rd. (文化路), it spills out into the surrounding streets turning the area into a shopping Mecca.

The night market usually begins around 7:00pm, although stores in the area open around 2:00pm, and winds to a close around 1:00am. The area is usually quiet busy, but busiest during the weekends as people in Taiwan finish their work week and spend the evening eating and shopping there. During peak times, expect hordes of people to be there! It helps if you can do the "Night Market Two-step" - both hands on the person in front of you, take two small steps and wait...two small steps and wait...you get the idea; this is especially useful where Wenhua Rd. narrows near the university. In addition to the people, you should also keep aware of scooters and cars that make their way through the crowds.

The Fengjia Night Market is a great way to spend an evening sampling local snacks, looking for perfect bargains and checking out the latest fads. Be sure to try some stinky tofu, deep fried straw mushrooms or octopus balls; just some of my personal favorites. No matter how often you go, the Fengjia Night Market is sure to offer a unique experience each visit.

• Taipei Times - Keelung's Miaokou Tops Night Market Competition