TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The highly anticipated Taiwan International Balloon Festival (台灣國際熱氣球嘉年華), one of East Asia's premier hot air balloon events, is scheduled to begin Saturday (July 5) at the picturesque Luye Highland (鹿野高台) in Taiwan's southeastern Taitung County. Weather concerns have emerged as meteorologists track a tropical disturbance east of the Philippines. This system is expected to intensify into Typhoon Danas (丹娜絲) within the next 24 hours, casting uncertainty over the festival's opening weekend. Officials from the Taitung County Transportation and Tourism Development Department (台東縣交通及觀光發展處), the local government agency responsible for the event, have announced they will conduct a comprehensive weather assessment on Friday (July 4).
Taitung County officials have confirmed the festival's signature mass balloon ascension remains scheduled for Saturday morning, though they continue monitoring weather conditions closely. Authorities will decide by Friday whether to proceed with the popular music and light show planned for Sunday (July 6) evening. The county government has made substantial investments in this year's festival, allocating approximately NT$15 million (about US$520,000) toward new attractions. A highlight among these additions is a specially designed balloon featuring Doraemon (哆啦A夢), the beloved Japanese cartoon robot cat character with widespread popularity throughout Asia.
Festival organizers have planned additional Doraemon-themed activities to maximize the character's appeal, including special fan meetings scheduled for the opening day, July 26, and August 16, designed to draw visitors across multiple generations. The event's international appeal was evident as Miss Chen, a returning visitor from Hong Kong, expressed enthusiasm about her festival experience. She described last year's balloon festival as "truly unforgettable," noting that the memorable experience prompted her to organize another family trip specifically to attend this year's event. Chen mentioned she had already begun documenting her journey by taking photographs at Taitung's city bus transfer station, a popular check-in location for tourists. ◼