Jiqing Community - Christmas Lane Introduction
The "Christmas Lane" of the Jiqing Community originated from the "San Ai Church" when Pastor Lin Gong-Zhao moved the church's Christmas tree outdoors on Christmas Eve in 1999. The church members in the lane followed suit, decorating their doorsteps with Christmas lights and sharing the good news with neighbors. Inspired by the festive atmosphere, more residents joined in over the years. With the dedicated efforts of Jiqing Community Chief Huang Sheng-Zong, carpenter Mr. Wen Yong-Yan, and other individuals such as Associate Professor Pan Tong-Tai from Taipei City University of Science and Technology and pastors Lin Gong-Zhao and Hou Shu-Liang, the scale and reputation of "Christmas Lane" have grown significantly. Now, every year around Christmas, it has become customary for every household in the lane to set up Christmas decorations. In December, residents spontaneously start decorating their doorsteps, sometimes planning and creating new designs or installations months in advance. The residents also have a tacit agreement to begin lighting the decorations from the week before Christmas and continue until the Lantern Festival the following year. The decorations in "Christmas Lane" are organized by household, each paired with different thematic installations such as the Jiqing High-Speed Rail, cable cars, helicopters, and yellow ducks, with each household's windows and yards showcasing well-designed displays. In 2014, the Jiqing Community's "Christmas Lane" was also voted as one of the top ten romantic Christmas spots in the country by internet users.
