Jiqing Community - Christmas Lane Introduction
The origin of the "Christmas Lane" in the Jiqing Community dates back to the eve of Christmas in 1999, when Pastor Lin Gongzhao of the "San Ai Church" decided to move the Christmas tree from indoors to outdoors. The church members began decorating their homes with Christmas lights and shared the good news with their neighbors. As the joyful festive atmosphere spread, more residents joined in each year. With the dedicated efforts of Jiqing Community chief Huang Shengzong, carpenter Mr. Wen Yongyan, Associate Professor Pan Tongtai from Taipei City University of Science and Technology, Pastor Lin Gongzhao, and Pastor Hou Shuliang, the scale of "Christmas Lane" expanded and gained fame. Today, it has become a customary festive activity for every household in the lane to install Christmas decorations around the Christmas season. In December each year, residents spontaneously start decorating their doorways, often designing and creating new styles or installations months in advance. There’s a mutual understanding among the residents that the lighting will take place from the week before Christmas until the Lantern Festival of the following year. The decorations in Jiqing include themed installations for each household, featuring designs like high-speed rail, cable cars, helicopters, and yellow ducklings, with intricate designs adorning every window and yard. In 2014, Jiqing Community's "Christmas Lane" was even voted as one of the top ten romantic Christmas destinations in the country by netizens.
