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The 2025 Nantou Lantern Festival, a 22-day event, came to a triumphant close on February 16th, having set three remarkable records by February 15th: an impressive attendance of 5.8 million visitors, a tourism output value of NTD$4 million, and a stellar satisfaction rate of 98%. Additionally, the average per capita spending saw a notable increase, rising from NTD$500 two years ago to NTD$700. During the evening's closing ceremony, County Mayor Hsu Shu-Hua presented certificates of gratitude to all participating and sponsoring companies, temples, and communities. She also commended the county government team for their dedication and thanked visitors from across Taiwan for their unwavering support, expressing hopes of welcoming everyone back next year.

The 2025 Nantou Lantern Festival commenced with grandeur on January 25th at the Nantou County Expo Center (南投縣會展中心). County Mayor Hsu Shu-Hua, joined by the beloved cartoon character "Bugcat Capoo (貓貓蟲咖波)" and a host of distinguished guests, lit up the spectacular 13-meter-tall main lantern, "Great Prosperity (拾來富貴).” This ceremonial act officially launched the vibrant 22-day celebration. The festival features 11 uniquely themed lantern zones, complemented by breathtaking fireworks and dazzling drone light shows throughout its duration. Designed to create a welcoming and immersive atmosphere, the event offers visitors an extraordinary experience filled with novelty and warmth.

During the closing ceremony, County Mayor Hsu highlighted that this year’s Nantou Lantern Festival coincided with the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, leading to a significant surge in accommodation demand and achieving even higher overall tourism revenue compared to the previous year. She commended the exceptional contributions of community residents, the support of local businesses, and the enthusiastic participation of schoolchildren, emphasizing the heartfelt human connection and collective spirit of co-creation they demonstrated. Mayor Hsu also expressed her vision for expanding international exchanges and fostering cross-border collaborations, aiming to elevate Nantou’s prominence on the global stage.

She also noted that this year marked the 10th anniversary of the Nantou Lantern Festival, which ushered in a significant expansion in scale. Under the theme "Harvesting the Past (拾光豐稔)", the festival showcased 11 themed lantern zones, featuring collaborative art, interactive technology, city lanterns, and brand zones. These zones celebrated the achievements of the past decade while embracing the boundless possibilities of the future, with aspirations for even greater success. "Harvesting the Past" symbolizes a review and appreciation of the last decade and the fruitful achievements in culture and tourism, as well as the brand-new identity of Nantou as a livable city. The event seamlessly blended traditional lantern artistry with cutting-edge technology, emphasizing art curation and environmental sustainability to deliver an innovative light experience. In addition to drawing vast crowds and generating substantial economic value, the county government devoted itself to creating a heartfelt and high-quality event.    

Additionally, continuous upgrades and enhancements were made to the lantern zone layout and facilities. Among these improvements was the installation of five-star container-style restrooms equipped with heating and cooling air conditioning, which received high praise from visitors for the thoughtful design. To further optimize traffic flow, a dedicated motorcycle parking lot was strategically placed above the drainage culverts, effectively improving accessibility. The pedestrian walkway leading to the Water Dance Plaza was also widened, with accessible ramps installed to ensure smooth and safe passage for individuals with mobility impairments. These comprehensive enhancements not only prioritized safety but also ensured that the entire venue was impeccably organized and well-maintained.

County councilors Lin Ju-Yang, Chang Hsiu-Chih, Shih Ching-Long, and Chien Chien-Hsiang also attended the closing ceremony.