Taiwan International Balloon Festival has been held each summer for ten weeks since 2011. Its center is the beautiful Taitung County’s Luye Plateau, located among the picturesque mountains in Taiwan’s enchanting East Rift Valley. According to Taitung County, the Taiwan International Balloon Festival has been visited by 4.6 million people since the inception of the event. It has also gained recognition as being one of the 12 most famous hot air balloon events on the planet. The festival includes flying shows, mooring activities, balloon rides, a night glow music concert, balloon wedding celebrations, and a summer camp all providing visitors with something to take home as well as great memories.
Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival features about 40 balloons, 3D light shows, and live music concerts. Some balloons resemble cartoon characters such as “Up” and “Minions,” others look like bulldogs, chicken, Christ the Redeemer, Orient Express trains, and more. Concerts take place in the evenings, showcasing balloons, laser shows and 3D projections, dancing water shows, and even Taiwan’s fighter aircraft​s.
During the festival, the whole city of Taitung features music shows at various local spots such as Luye Gaotai, Sansiantai, Jhihben Hot Spring Area, Dapochih, The Aurora Garden, Zhi-Hang Air Base, and National Taitung University Library. The grand opening concert and show takes place at Luye Gaotai.
Kids and adults can also take part in a number of activities during the festival. The most popular is going on a tethered balloon ride. For NT$500, you can enjoy a 5~7-minute “flight” with your balloon remaining tied to the ground. Untethered flights lasting about 30 minutes are also offered – but are significantly more expensive, costing NT$9,000. Tickets can be purchased onsite starting as early as 5am. In the morning, balloons take to the sky 5:30am–7:30am; in the evening, 5pm–7pm. Flying in a balloon is a unique experience for passengers and a tough task for the balloon crews. A well-trained team is required to simultaneously blow an open flame into the balloon’s central hole and handle ropes to keep the balloon in place once in the air.
The safety factor of balloon flights is relatively high. The FAI has listed the hot air balloon as the safest aircraft in the world. A hot air balloon rises and falls slowly and is generally considered to be safe. However, following the guidelines in every activity is always the best way to ensure your personal safety.
Safety guidelines and important notices for hot air balloon activities:

1. Passengers must be above 110cm in height and children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by an adult family member.
2. Due to safety concerns, people who are drunk, feeling discomfort, with high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease, or acrophobia, or are pregnant should not ride in the balloons. Pets are not allowed onto the balloons. People who are easily nervous, intimidated by heights, or not feeling well should not ride.
3. Do not make any dangerous movements when on board. Do not touch the equipment in the basket and always follow the balloon operator’s instructions.
4. After the balloon takes off, do not throw any objects out of the basket or climb onto or out of the basket to prevent danger.
5. Flight time and the landing site may change due to wind direction and speed. The pilot has full authority to execute a technical landing when he/she sees fit and the passengers cannot object.
6. If you feel any discomfort during the flight, please report it immediately to the balloon operator.
7. Skirts, high heels, sandals and other similar clothing are not suitable for flight. If you have long hair, please tie it up. Hats with a brim are optimal.
8. When boarding a balloon, except for valuables and cameras, please hand any large bags to the ground staff for safe keeping.
9. When an abnormal situation occurs, you must follow the instruction of the balloon operator. After exiting the basket, please follow the instruction of the staff and evacuate to a safe area.

 
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