Do I need to write in Chinese on the lantern?

Not at all! English is perfectly okay. It’s your intention that matters most.

What happens to the lantern after I hang it?

The lantern remains hanging in the alley, holding your wish until nature slowly takes it down. It becomes part of Jiufen’s living memory.

Is this experience suitable for kids or elders?

Absolutely! It’s a gentle, meaningful experience for all ages. Elders especially love the nostalgic atmosphere.

Is this a religious activity?

Nope — it’s a cultural and emotional experience open to everyone, regardless of beliefs.

Welcome

Jiufen Red Lantern Blessing – An Evening Ritual of Wishes and Warmth

Rows of red lanterns lighting up Jiufen's historic alleys

Quiet alley in Jiufen with hanging lanterns

Jiufen isn’t just a tourist spot — it’s a storybook alleyway drenched in mist and memory. And tucked between its red-tiled roofs and winding paths is a quiet ritual that stirs something deeper. The Red Lantern Blessing Experience is more than a photo op — it’s a moment to meet yourself, write your wishes, and release them under glowing light.

Intro

You start by stepping into a vintage tea house-style lantern shop. You’re handed a vibrant red lantern and a brush. The host invites you to take your time — write a dream, a thank you, a release. Some people draw symbols, others write in English or Japanese. There’s no right way to wish — just honesty.

Once your lantern is ready, you’re guided outside to hang it along the iconic Jiufen lantern path. As you clip it up and see the breeze catch its shape, something shifts inside — as if your voice now lives somewhere in the world, glowing silently among others.

This experience is perfect before sunset. The golden hour light bathes the village, and lanterns start to flicker on one by one. Locals say this ritual softens the heart — many have come back years later, finding their lanterns still there. Some say their wishes came true. Others say the act alone changed them.

Experience	Details
Activity	Write a wish and hang your red lantern in Jiufen
Location	Jiufen Old Street, New Taipei City
Time	Recommended during golden hour or night
Includes	Red lantern, writing brush, hanging guidance

"In Jiufen, every lantern carries a whisper of hope. Light one, and feel your heart open."

It’s not a religious ritual. You don’t need to believe in anything. It’s about presence. About pausing for once, letting yourself feel. Letting a red lantern carry what you’re not ready to say aloud. Jiufen holds that space gently — without judgment, without rush.

So if you’re visiting Jiufen and looking for something deeper than bubble tea or Instagram shots — this is your moment. A red lantern, a brush, and your heart. You might just leave with a little more light inside you than you came with.