Shifen Old Street, Taiwan 🇹🇼 - Sky Lanterns and Is It a Place Worth Visiting?? | Taiwan Travel

[@Clover1618]

These lanterns have 95% recycle rate. For those who are concerned, there is also the option for environmental friendly lanterns which are double the price, but is designed to burn up completely during the process, even the frames. So, one does have that option, it's just that most people aren't willing to pay.

[@yehphoebe7679]

So true! When I was young, a boy asked me out to visit shifen, I have refused to buy the sky lantern, so foolish this commercial activity!

[@bankerdave888]

I was told that the businesses pay locals to collect and recycle those lanterns that come back down. But I am still opposed to this practice as the lanterns pollute the environment, not to mention they pose a risk to the airplanes that fly overhead!

[@leodoeslife_]

Yeah that's the excuse/reason I was given as well and I can't wrap my head around how it's remotely possible that the elderly climb rugged hills and steep cliffs to retrieve the leftovers for very little money..

[@patrikviera2007]

I visited this August, and saw many downed lanterns along the trail to the waterfall.

[@leodoeslife_]

Yeah, just a shame honestly. Just thick globs of wet wax paper and metal🤦🏻‍♂️

[@c_cma1971]

Great example man and perfect ilustration of this terrible habit. It is a tourist trap. Thank you for your video!

[@leodoeslife_]

For sure - a total tourist trap and more

[@eventhorizon-cv3od]

It's so interesting. Any of tourism businesses can be involved into environment issues, including foods. However, among of all the places you've been traveling, you raise such an issue particularly for Taiwan?

[@leodoeslife_]

Im not singling out Taiwan, solely based on this custom. I've shared my thoughts on other places I've traveled where I saw big environmental issues as well but this was the first time I saw lanterns being sent up from my own perspective. I'm not bashing Taiwan, just hope to raise awareness/call for change to the practice

[@cw.2013]

thanks for pointing out how these lanterns are a safety hazard (they do cause fire sometimes) and how it‘s just creating more trash

[@Editor54459]

In fact, we have been advocating not to release sky lanterns for a long time, but maybe this is a life-saving activity for local residents, so the Taiwan government has not strictly banned it.

[@leodoeslife_]

Ah yea, considering it's the main source of income in the area. They could just tie string to the lanterns and maybe bring them down (kind of odd but might work)

[@clairecheng2902]

You told the truth.😢

[@stein0610]

As a taiwanese ~ i feel the same !! really dont like it so called Tradition nonsense ! just a one time visit 22 years ago and never wanted to go again. perhaps those wishes are too heavy and end it up crashing. its dumb

[@leodoeslife_]

Thank you - much agreed!

[@MuYusvideo]

I can't agree anymore

[@維王-h9s]

人們的希望不該建立在對大自然的傷害上

[@user-sw4zv1be1w]

是不環保 不過是習俗 有（專人）負責去回收再利用♻️