Taitung held Taiwan’s first hot air balloon festival with a total of 13 balloons completing the first free-fly, setting a milestone for Taiwan’s aerial history.
Taitung’s first mural hot air balloon was made from the collage of 335 children’s drawings from five different elementary schools in the East Rift Valley.
2012
Established the first balloon aviation school to recruit and train local Taiwanese pilots. The first five pilots who completed the training program became Taiwan’s first group of certified hot air balloon pilots.
A logo design competition for the Taiwan International Balloon Festival was held.
The launching of the “Taitung Balloon”( labeled as balloon ID# B-00001) in Luye Highland started the steady take-off of a new era for Taiwanese hot air balloon history.
Awarded the “2012 Taiwan Event Awards” by the Taiwan Events Association.
2013
Set the world record for the longest running hot air balloon festival (66 days).
The first ever Taiwanese commercial hot air balloon tour (free-fly with passengers), attracted thousands of visitors wanting to book free-fly tours.
The Taitung County Government hot air balloon team was invited to perform a balloon display demonstration in front of the Presidential Office Building at the New Year flag-raising ceremony. This mark the first time in Taiwanese history where flag-raising and hot air balloons were combined in the New Year’s d flag-raising ceremony.
The Civil Aeronautics Administration officially regulated hot air balloon activities and pilot certification, shifting from the project-based application in the past. Hot air balloon activities began to have dedicated regulations, safeguarding the development with professionalism and rules to meet international safety standards.
Taiwan International Balloon Festival was certified an official international event by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in the “Taiwan Tourism Events” category.
Won second place for the CommonWealth Magazine’s “Golden Service Award” under the National Events category, second only to Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage.
”Heart Balloon” debuted as the first special shaped balloon in Taiwan. The carefully designed details include a handicap accessible basket which provides easy access for all disabled balloon riders.
The “Taitung Balloon” debuts at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular in Australia.
2014
Skyrainbow Airlines was officially launched, becoming the first private-sectored aviation company specializing in hot air balloon flights.
Taitung Hot Air Balloon Association was established.
2015
First time relocating the Night Glow Concert series to various locations in different townships in Taitung; this move which integrated beautiful local landscape features with the hot air balloons as well as the light projection shows created an instant buzz.
First time to launch flights across Taitung City (Fengnian Airport, near Fengyuan Elementary School), marking the first cross-city hot air balloon flight in Taiwan.
2016
Hot air balloon competition was held for the first time during the festival, attracting athletes around the world to come to Taiwan to compete.
The Night Glow Concert’s press conference was moved to Kaohsiung for the first time, attracting over tens of thousands of visitors.
2017
For the first time, the Night Glow Concert was held at dawn in Sanxiantai combing sunrise and hot air balloon display. This event successfully created a brand-new visual impact and experience for the concert series.
First time moving the Night Glow Concert to a national level art venue at the Liberty Square of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. All seven balloons on display were manufactured in Taiwan; including the first generation “Taitung Balloon” (which has been in operation since the first year of festival) and “Heart Balloon”, the first special shaped balloon of Taiwan.
PX Lucky Bear Balloon made its debut as the second special shaped balloon in Taiwan. It is also the first corporate mascot balloon, making PXmart the first enterprise in Taiwan to have its own custom hot air balloon.
2018
Selected by the world-renowned Travel Channel as one of the “12 Amazing Hot Air Balloon Festivals Around the World”.
Taitung was named as one of the “10 Up and Coming Destinations” by the world’s leading digital travel company “Booking.com”.
“OhBear Balloon” made its debut combining the Formosan black bear and the Taiwanese indigenous cultural elements. OhBear carries an Amis Alufu Lover’s Bag as well as an orange cape with the word “Taiwan” printed on it. He bears the heavy responsibilities of promoting tourism for Taiwan as well as connecting Taiwan to the rest of the world.
2019
Night Glow Concert series was performed on Green Island, making this the first time the concert series was performed off the main Taiwan island.
First time the Civil Aeronautics Administration approved nighttime tethered balloon rides during the Night Glow Concert performance.
Held the most Night Glow Concerts with a total of 9 concerts.
A total of 40 balloons were on display, making this the year with the most balloon participation.
Had the highest number of visitors, with over 990,000 visitors.
OhBear Balloon became the ambassador for Taiwan Tourism, attending hot air balloon festivals all around the world.
In an effort to strengthen the Taitung hot air balloon brand, Taitung County Government authorized the release of the 9 previously exclusive hot air balloon logos.
2020
Amidst the severe COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwan International Balloon Festival was the one and only hot air balloon festival to successfully take place anywhere in the world.
For the first time, a Night Glow Concert took place in Taitung Forest Park, which is also known as the Black Forest of Taitung.
The first time an opening ceremony featured flame throwing hot air balloon burners. It made for a vibrant start to the festival.
Over 1.2 million visitors attended the festival which generated a record-breaking NT $2.8 billion.
Novel hot air balloon trucks designed by Sabra Andre toured Taiwan. The tour offered VR hot air balloon rides at 7 locations across Taiwan to promote Taitung.
2021
The Taitung County Government collaborated with Sanrio Taiwan to create the world’s only Hello Kitty hot air balloon. Hello Kitty wearing the traditional Bunun clothing showcases the perfect fusion between international and local culture. The Hello Kitty balloon made its debut maiden flight in Chishang in 2021.
Two of our old balloons had undergone some changes: the Rainbow Balloon got fresh new coat of paint; the Orchid Balloon has now been retired, but after being redesigned by Sabra Andre, it was born anew again—now known as the Dawn Balloon–the balloon became a living, floating, image of Taitung.
The mascot of Taipei City, Bravo Bear, joined the hot air balloon team to promote intercity exchanges. The Mayor of Taipei City also led a team to East Taiwan to ride the Bravo Bear balloon.
Undertook the challenge of having two simultaneous venues—Luye Highland and Chishang Pastoral Farm Resort—for the first time ever. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed and scaled down; yet, the show continued, albeit exclusive to Taitung attendees only.
360° video technology was implemented for the first time. 360° livestreams were available for the opening ceremony, daily tethered rides, and special weekend activities.
The book Dreams at the Height of 2,500 Feet: An Amazing Journey Bringing Taitung to the World was published. The book documents the development of Taiwan’s International Balloon Festival and its achievements over the past ten years.
2022
The number of participants exceeded 1.23 million, surpassing 2020’s record numbers and setting a new record.
The world's first "Hot Air Balloon X Drone" joint performance where the image of Taitung was presented by 300 drones received high praise.
Twenty hot air balloons from abroad were invited to participate in the festival in Taitung for the first time.
Electric buses were employed for the first time as shuttle buses between downtown Taitung, Luye Highland, and the festival grounds.
The Taiwan International Balloon Festival official LINE account and YouTube channel were launched.
The festival won the highest honor of "Platinum Winner" in the Event-Festival/Carnival category of the MUSE Creative Awards from the United States.
