2016 Taiwan International Balloon Festival Kicks off in Taitung
The 2016 Taiwan International Balloon Festival kicked off in Taitung on July 1, with a total of 28 colorful hot-air balloons concurrently taking off from the southeastern county of the island nation, marking the grand opening of the annual event.
Fifteen colorful balloons in the shapes of a freshwater aquarium, a Noah’s Ark, and animals such as pandas, cats, octopuses, foxes and Kiwi birds from the United States, Thailand, Japan as well as Netherlands have taken to the skies over Luye Township in Taitung to take part in an “animal carnival” as part of the festival opening show.
This year, the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan and Taitung County Government jointly launched a tourist pass “Taitung Fun Card”, which offers deals on activities and experiences as well as allows participants to make online reservations for their hot-air balloon rides during the 38-day event, which will run through Aug. 7.
The balloon festival, which is in its sixth year, has successfully attracted more than 800,000 attendees each year.
