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The 22-day 2026 Nantou Lantern Festival came to a successful close on March 8 at the Nantou County Expo Center. In her closing address, County Mayor Hsu Shu-Hua noted that although attendance was slightly lower than last year, tourism revenue rose from NT$3.9 billion to NT$4.5 billion, while public satisfaction climbed to an impressive 97%.

Mayor Hsu emphasized that while the festival has earned strong recognition from residents, the county government is not resting on its laurels. She expressed her commitment to ensuring the event continues to improve year after year, cementing its status as a premier destination for both domestic and international visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday. 

The closing ceremony was lively and festive. Mayor Hsu distributed red envelopes, interacted with the crowd, and personally presented certificates of appreciation to sponsoring businesses, organizations, and temples. Legislator Yu Hao and County Councilor Chuan Wen-Tsai also joined the celebration.

According to official statistics, the festival attracted 5.1 million visitors, slightly fewer than last year’s 5.56 million. However, tourism revenue outperformed last year’s figures, reaching NT$4.5 billion compared to NT$3.9 billion in 2025. Online surveys further showed satisfaction levels rising by two percentage points to 97%.

 Mayor Hsu explained that this year’s festival was highly praised for its diverse activities and logistical arrangements, with everything from the infrastructure enhancements to program scheduling earning widespread acclaim. Highlights included performances by renowned Taiwanese and Mandarin singers as well as popular bands at the Water Dance Plaza, which drew enthusiastic responses from audiences.

 To enhance accessibility for international tourists, bilingual guided tours were introduced to provide deeper insight into the stories behind the lantern displays. Furthermore, restroom facilities were upgraded from traditional portable units to air-conditioned container units. These improvements in sanitation and comfort received consistently high marks from attendees.

 Mayor Hsu also expressed her gratitude for the cross-border collaboration with the popular Japanese IP "Wagahai Is Cat," whose characters were integrated into the lantern designs. Through the strategic reconfiguration of onsite flow and visitor routing, the festival significantly elevated the interactive experience for all attendees. This success drew substantial interest from international tourists and global media outlets, underscoring the Nantou Lantern Festival’s rising international profile and its dedication to continuous excellence year after year.