One of many highlights of my journey to the Penghu Islands was attending to see the annual Penghu Fireworks Competition 澎湖花火節! Taking place yearly in summer season, this is without doubt one of the occasions that attracts the crowds to those Taiwan offshore islands. I put collectively a bit information that can assist you plan your Penghu journey and know what to anticipate for this occasion.
On the lookout for extra Penghu posts? Try my Penghu information submit to plan your journey and a few Penghu hidden gems so as to add to your itinerary.
What’s the Penghu Fireworks Competition?
澎湖國際海上花火節
The Penghu Fireworks Competition is an annual occasion that takes place each summer season. It began in 2003 and has been a staple occasion that attracts crowds to the islands yearly since.
Again then in 2002, there had been a airplane crash that affected tourism to Penghu, and the Penghu Fireworks Competition conceived within the following 12 months was one of many ways in which the native authorities used to drum up curiosity within the islands once more. Fancy fireworks present accompanied by music and dwell performances, what’s to not love?
The 2024 Penghu Fireworks Competition might be a deal with for One Piece followers! Present dates have been launched on Fb.
The place does the Penghu Fireworks Competition happen?
The primary venue of the Penghu Fireworks Competition occurs on the primary island of Magong at Guanyin Pavilion Park or Guanyinting 觀音亭. There are some particular days the place fireworks will be seen on different Penghu islands, however the bulk of reveals happen in Magong.
Through the day, Guanyinting is a leisure park the place individuals can stroll round or go for a swim. Numerous individuals additionally come right here to take sundown images with the picturesque Xiying Rainbow Bridge 西瀛虹橋.
However in the course of the fireworks competition, the Xiying Rainbow Bridge is closed to the general public because the fireworks are launched from the bridge itself. A big stage can be arrange within the park with some seating and there are dwell performances and different actions right here at evening.
When you’re planning to drive to Guanyinting, notice that they are going to block off the encircling roads within the late afternoon within the lead as much as the fireworks competition.
When you’re on a scooter, you’ll be able to pop down earlier to park your scooter close by earlier than the highway blockage and go have dinner, however I extremely recommend you park a long way away from the park regardless – there are a ton of individuals strolling out of the park after the present and making an attempt to weave by that human visitors is fairly hellish.
When does the Penghu Fireworks Competition occur?
Usually the Penghu Fireworks Competition occurs for 3 months in summer season. In 2023 once I attended, the fireworks season was from Could to July with some take a look at runs in April.
The fireworks reveals happen within the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays and often begin at 9pm. There could also be cancellations, amendments or postponements relying on the climate.
Recap: Penghu Fireworks Competition 2023
I spent 4 nights in Penghu and watched the 2023 Penghu Fireworks Competition over a Monday and a Thursday in Could. 2023 had a Disney theme to have fun 100 years of Disney which was mirrored within the music used and the drone present phase which featured some acquainted Disney characters.
I livestreamed and filmed the Penghu Fireworks Competition for Taiwan Tourism Bureau Singapore’s fb viewers on each nights. You possibly can see the movies + hyperlinks on this submit – I didn’t use something fancy to movie, simply my iPhone 14 Professional on 0.5 huge angle mode with my DJI Osmo 4 gimbal for stabilization. There was no room for a tripod stand so I held the gimbal your entire time, however I believe the movies got here out fairly properly.
Day 1: too windy, no drones, fireworks solely
The primary evening that I watched the present was significantly windy – ferries had been cancelled that afternoon and it wasn’t sure if the fireworks competition would occur that evening. Simply as I used to be heading all the way down to the city space, my guesthouse proprietor knowledgeable me that whereas the fireworks would occur, the drone present would likely be cancelled as they will’t fly the drones when there’s an excessive amount of wind.
I parked close to the Competition Market earlier than roads had been blocked off and had dinner close by earlier than heading over to the park. I’d by some means misinterpret the timings and bought there sooner than anticipated, however it turned out to be a superb factor as a result of it was getting crowded. I did find yourself with a pair standing in entrance of me sadly however in any other case the view was fairly good.
I plonked myself down on the sloping Guanyinting signal because the park stuffed up round me. Due to the climate, the barrier was additionally set a distance away from the water’s edge. That evening I livestreamed the present for Taiwan Tourism SG and did a little bit of a Q&A about Penghu whereas ready for the present which you’ll be able to see right here or watch beneath.
There have been no drones for this present, as a substitute we simply loved about 10 minutes of fireworks.
Day 2: good climate, full present
The second evening had significantly better climate – clear skies all day and little or no wind, so I bought to look at the complete present. I had made a buddy the day earlier than who occurred to be a Taiwanese tour information, and he or she joined me to catch the present.
As a substitute of going early like earlier than, we arrived just a bit earlier than the present began, and he or she advised me it was higher to place your self a bit additional again as a substitute of being by the water’s edge. It was much less crowded standing on this finish of the stage, and whereas we spent the whoel present standing, I believe this view was much less liable to blockage and required much less neck craning.
I recorded this for Taiwan Tourism’s Fb as properly, or you’ll be able to watch it within the embed beneath.
The present kicked off with the drones flying out from the proper aspect of the bridge and featured acquainted Disney tunes in addition to characters like Mickey Mouse, Discovering Nemo, Star Wars and extra! It was fairly enjoyable watching and guessing what characters would pop up. The drones took about 20 minutes, and had been adopted by 10 minutes of fireworks afterwards.
The top of the present includes the group spilling out of the park into the encircling space. Me and my Taiwanese buddy picked up some supper and a few restricted version Penghu Fireworks Competition beer by Taihu Brewing and headed to the waterfront to take a seat, sip and sup just like the locals do!
Different methods to look at the Penghu Fireworks Competition
When you don’t wish to squeeze with the crowds at Guanyinting, listed below are another choices to look at the Penghu Fireworks Competition. Notice that the hyperlinks might not be energetic till nearer to the competition dates, however you’ll be able to browse round on Klook’s Penghu web page for extra choices.
By cruise
One different choice in order for you a special view is to take a ship journey out within the harbour and watch the Penghu fireworks present from the ocean. You’ll be watching the present from the ‘again’ so any phrases is likely to be in reverse, however in any other case it’s a enjoyable choice for those who don’t get seasick. Some cruises even serve dinner.
Guide a Fireworks Cruise on Klook [affiliate link]
By SUP
For one thing much more uncommon, you’ll be able to paddle out into the bay and sit on a SUP board to look at the fireworks! Positively an uncommon expertise~
Guide a SUP board Fireworks expertise on Klook [affiliate link]
Updates on Penghu Fireworks Competition
One of the best ways to remain up to date is by following the Penghu Fireworks Fb Web page. It often releases notices of promotions in addition to weather-related updates so that you’ll know if the present will occur on that evening or not.
Have you ever watch the Penghu Fireworks Competition? Share your expertise and suggestions within the feedback beneath.
Planning a go to to Penghu? Try all my Penghu posts or see another Taiwan offshore islands posts for extra.
