Pingxi

Journey with me to a small mountain town, Pingxi. It’s nestled in the hills near New Taipei City, Taiwan. Pingxi may be small, but its history is anything but. This charming town played a vital role in Taiwan’s mining past. It’s a place where the echoes of industry mingle with the whispers of ancient traditions. The landscape itself tells a story. Pingxi sits within a sedimentary rock formation, shaped by millions of years of geological forces. This formation is rich with resources like coal, oil, and gas. These resources drew people here, shaping the town’s destiny. In the 1870s, Pingxi flourished with indigo plantations, contributing a significant 80% to the total. But the rise of synthetic dyes changed everything. The once-vibrant indigo fields transformed into tranquil tea gardens. Oolong tea, the star of these new gardens, became a major export, primarily to Europe and America during the Japanese period. However, Pingxi’s true industrial boom began in 1908. The Japanese acquired the rights to the Pingxi coalfield and constructed the Pingxi Line railway. This railway became a lifeline for the town. It connected the mines to the outside world. For decades, Pingxi thrived as a coal mining center. It boasted the longest operating history among Taiwan’s coal mines. But the 1970s brought change. Alternative energy sources emerged, labor disputes arose, and mining disasters took their toll. Taiwan’s mining industry declined, and Pingxi had to adapt. The Pingxi Train Station, once a hub for coal transport, found new life. It became a popular destination, particularly for those seeking to release sky lanterns into the heavens. These lanterns, also known as Kongming lanterns, carry a rich history of their own. Invented by Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, they were originally used for military communication. Pingxi is now famous for its Sky Lantern Festival. This vibrant celebration is considered the second biggest New Year’s Eve festival worldwide. It’s held annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month, as part of the Lantern Festival. The lanterns, traditionally four or five-sided, are crafted from rice paper, bamboo, and wire. Each side provides space for writing wishes, sent aloft with hopes and dreams.