Tonight (June 2), Magistrate Wang, Hui-mei of Changhua County, county residents, and guests will light up the lights on the Water Stage, Old Lukang River for the “2022 Lukang Dragon Boat Festival – Small Town Light Festival,” announcing the opening of the festival. From today until July 17, lights will be lit from 19:00 to 22:00 every evening in the classic town — Lukang, lighting up happiness and hope.
Magistrate Wang expressed that Lukang has been very important in the history of the development of Taiwan, as reflected in the saying “first, Tainan; second, Lukang; and third, Bangka.” It indicates that Lukang is an important small town worth visiting. Lukang won not only the First Classic Small Town Award but also the Gold Medal in the Taiwan Town Brand Award. Lukang originated by the Mother River of Lukang — Old Lukang River. To let the memory of its glorious past re-emerge, the county government has spent 3 years and invested NT$500 million to build the 1.5-kilometer-long Water Corridor.
On the eve of Lukang’s 300-year anniversary and the long weekend of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Changhua County Government has put up lights in the streets of Lukang and Old Lukang River to light up the town, creating a festive mood for the Dragon Boat Festival. Lights will be lit along Zhongshan Road, Old Street, Assembly Hall, Osmanthus Alley Art Village, and Old Lukang River. Visitors can enjoy the charming night view of the Light Festival in Lukang when spending their holiday here.
Along Old Lukang River, the Light Festival is specially presented to highlight the historic context and charm of the Mother River of Lukang. At the plaza where the river originates, there are thematic light fountains — “Reminiscence of Water’s Origin” and “Fish Leaping over Dragon Gate” — with the surrounding banks covered with tranquil plants. Blending into the surroundings, the lanterns glitter with nocturnal romance. The lantern “Lukang Sail” presents the past prosperity of the town when it was still an important trading port. On the small islands used for the preservation of trees in the middle of the river, “Penglai Deer” and “Deer Dashes in the Wild,” light art with a deer theme, are installed to present scenes of running Sika deer on the plains in the past, telling us about the origin of the name Lukang — “deer port.”
There will also be special events such as “balancing eggs,” “prayer tree,” and “immersive light corridor,” specially designed for the Dragon Boat Festival. The installation art “fluorescent dots” made with seaweeds tells people about the importance of the natural ecology of Old Lukang River. The lights along the river and streets reflect the festive mood and historic scenes of Lukang in the serene water. The lights in the streets decorate the nocturnal landscape, presenting the beauty of Lukang’s nights.
The Lukang County Government would like to welcome people in Taiwan to visit Lukang during the long weekend of the Dragon Boat Festival. They can wander along the Old Street and taste delicious food during the daytime and enjoy the night breeze and the light art at night. It is a trip of gourmet food and nocturnal romance.