Penghu’s shores and waters are marvelous sights to catch during the day, but at night, life on the archipelago tends to slow down. However, each year there’s one show that truly lights up the night sky: the Penghu Fireworks Festival. Visitors pour into Penghu each summer to watch the biweekly fireworks that go off between April and June. The dazzling pyrotechnics are shot off the bridge at Guanyin Pavilion and sparkle over the sky for several minutes.
Although the festival livens up the night life on Penghu and brings smiles to the faces of visitors, it has a tragic origin. On May 25, 2002, China Airlines flight 611 was flying over Penghu en route to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the plane malfunctioned in midair due to faulty repairs. The plane plunged into the Taiwan Strait, claiming all 225 lives on board.
Penghu suffered a huge decline in tourism after the crash and local authorities had to come up with a way to lure visitors back. They cooperated with China Airlines and held an event on Chinese New Year with flight attendants staging a Moulin Rouge-style dance. In addition, there was a 30-minute fireworks display. The event turned out to be a huge hit, so the locals decided to hold the gathering every year in order to boost tourism. The first Fireworks Festival took place in 2003. It’s now one of Penghu’s most renowned attractions and one more reason to make the trek to these enchanting islands.
The fireworks festival has opened now and will be ended in 25th of June. Don't miss this beautiful spot if you are traveling Taiwan!
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