04:30Thousands attended the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung on Saturday.
"It's our first time coming on the first day of the festival, and we are very impressed," said Ms Chen, an attendee. "Every balloon is flying well, and the atmosphere feels very much like our cherished sense of freedom. It's worth the five-hour drive to get here".
Footage shows hot air balloons of various colours and shapes, including animals and cartoon characters, being inflated and launched. Visitors are seen watching and recording the event in a lush green meadow.
"The hot air balloons are very cute and look very healing. Plus, they represent various international cultures or sponsoring companies, with different designs on them," Ms Chen added.
"We originally thought we woke up pretty early, but other people were even more enthusiastic," said Ms Wen, another attendee. "It seems like some had been here since two or three in the morning to secure a good spot to watch the balloons".
The Taiwan International Balloon Festival runs from 6 July to 19 August, with around 40 hot air balloons offering rides, along with light shows and live music concerts. There are two balloon rides each day, each lasting approximately 5-7 minutes, according to the event's official website.
The first Taitung International Balloon Festival took place in 2011, with 13 balloons participating in the first free-flight event. Since its debut, the festival has attracted over four million visitors, according to media reports.
Skyward bound! Taiwan International Balloon Festival draws thousands to Taitung for spectacular launch
Thousands attended the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung on Saturday.
"It's our first time coming on the first day of the festival, and we are very impressed," said Ms Chen, an attendee. "Every balloon is flying well, and the atmosphere feels very much like our cherished sense of freedom. It's worth the five-hour drive to get here".
Footage shows hot air balloons of various colours and shapes, including animals and cartoon characters, being inflated and launched. Visitors are seen watching and recording the event in a lush green meadow.
"The hot air balloons are very cute and look very healing. Plus, they represent various international cultures or sponsoring companies, with different designs on them," Ms Chen added.
"We originally thought we woke up pretty early, but other people were even more enthusiastic," said Ms Wen, another attendee. "It seems like some had been here since two or three in the morning to secure a good spot to watch the balloons".
The Taiwan International Balloon Festival runs from 6 July to 19 August, with around 40 hot air balloons offering rides, along with light shows and live music concerts. There are two balloon rides each day, each lasting approximately 5-7 minutes, according to the event's official website.
The first Taitung International Balloon Festival took place in 2011, with 13 balloons participating in the first free-flight event. Since its debut, the festival has attracted over four million visitors, according to media reports.
Thousands attended the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung on Saturday.
"It's our first time coming on the first day of the festival, and we are very impressed," said Ms Chen, an attendee. "Every balloon is flying well, and the atmosphere feels very much like our cherished sense of freedom. It's worth the five-hour drive to get here".
Footage shows hot air balloons of various colours and shapes, including animals and cartoon characters, being inflated and launched. Visitors are seen watching and recording the event in a lush green meadow.
"The hot air balloons are very cute and look very healing. Plus, they represent various international cultures or sponsoring companies, with different designs on them," Ms Chen added.
"We originally thought we woke up pretty early, but other people were even more enthusiastic," said Ms Wen, another attendee. "It seems like some had been here since two or three in the morning to secure a good spot to watch the balloons".
The Taiwan International Balloon Festival runs from 6 July to 19 August, with around 40 hot air balloons offering rides, along with light shows and live music concerts. There are two balloon rides each day, each lasting approximately 5-7 minutes, according to the event's official website.
The first Taitung International Balloon Festival took place in 2011, with 13 balloons participating in the first free-flight event. Since its debut, the festival has attracted over four million visitors, according to media reports.