Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival Tethered Ride Experience: First Wave of Online Sales on May 27

Central News Agency

(CNA Reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 13th) Taitung's grand tourism event, the International Hot Air Balloon Festival, is set to kick off on July 4. The Taitung County Government announced today that the popular hot air balloon tethered ride experience tickets will be available for purchase via an online reservation platform at 12:00 PM on May 27 and June 3.

The Taitung County Government issued a press release today stating that online reservations for the 2026 hot air balloon tethered ride experience will be divided into two phases based on the month of riding: the first phase on May 27 at 12:00 PM will open slots for July, and the second phase on June 3 at 12:00 PM will open slots for August. A total of 77 sessions are planned, with each session limited to 80 participants, amounting to 6,160 experience slots in total.

The county government noted that each order is limited to two tickets, for single-person, single-session use. Regarding ticket prices, weekdays (Monday to Thursday) are NT$550 per ticket, and holidays (Friday to Sunday) are NT$650 per ticket. Due to limited slots and high demand, interested individuals are advised to plan early and secure their tickets on time.

According to the county government, the hot air balloon tethered ride experience will have morning sessions from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM and afternoon sessions from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM daily. Travelers can experience the hot air balloon slowly ascending and overlook the magnificent scenery of the Luye Valley at dawn or dusk.

It is important to note that the hot air balloon tethered ride activity will not be available on public holidays (Tuesdays) and during the morning session of the opening day (July 4). For the Luye Gaotai Light Sculpture Concerts (July 5, 16, 30, and August 20), afternoon sessions will only offer on-site ticket purchases and no online reservations. Travelers are reminded to plan their itineraries in advance to avoid disappointment.

The county government stated that in addition to opening online reservations for hot air balloon tethered ride tickets on May 27, it will also simultaneously launch "Free Independent Travel Packages" combining transportation and accommodation. These packages bundle round-trip transportation (Round-the-Island Star Mengluo Express and Mandarin Airlines/UNI Air), Taitung accommodation, and tethered ride tickets, starting from NT$1,990 per person, offering a more convenient option for travelers staying in Taitung.

There are also themed package tours that include paragliding or zip-lining, encouraging visitors to explore the beauty of Taitung in depth and experience more exciting ways to play in Taitung. More information on hot air balloon tethered ride reservations and package tour information can be found on the online reservation platform website. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150513

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