Taiwan’s folk religions and traditions enhance the country’s cultural tapestry and enliven visitor experiences for international tourists and locals alike.
One of the main draws is the wide variety of architectural styles and elaborate decorations of religious structures across the country. Dalongdong Baoan Temple in Taipei City’s historic Datong District is a prominent example thanks to its prize-winning repair work that maintains the integrity of the two-century-old structure.
Yet another major crowd-puller are the myriad folk festivals that take place throughout the year.
At the opening ceremony of this year’s Baosheng Cultural Festival, the name of which references the god of medicine worshipped at the aforementioned Taipei temple, President Tsai Ing-wen spoke of the spiritual support people derived from Baosheng temples nationwide during the pandemic. “People were comforted, but they were also empowered to overcome the challenges,” she said.
Performers parade during Baoan Temple’s Baosheng Cultural Festival. (Photo by Pang Chia-shan)
Temple festivals draw both those who are curious about folk religion and those who are attracted to spectacle. At Baosheng Cultural Festival, performers parade and firework displays are launched to commemorate the god’s birthday on the 15th day of the third lunar month.
With the sheer number of gods and temples, there is almost always a celebration of some kind to enjoy. The third lunar month is particularly rich in events, as temples dedicated to Mazu, the beloved sea goddess, mark her birthday on the 23rd with pilgrimages that can last more than a week and usually throng with large, devoted crowds.
Worshippers follow processions carrying a statue of Mazu to Beigang Chaotian Temple in western Taiwan’s Yunlin County. (Photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
With close to a thousand Mazu temples around Taiwan, the prospect of choosing just one might seem overwhelming, but for those who want to see more of the country, there are a number of processions outside Taipei, including from Beigang Chaotian Temple in the western county of Yunlin and Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in the central city of Taichung.
Visitors seeking an autumn event might consider the Wang Ye boat-burning festivals in southern Taiwan’s coastal towns such as Donggang Township in Pingtung County. The nine-day events are held to honor Wang Ye, divine beings who tour the mortal world to expel evil and disease, and take place every three years, corresponding to the lunar years of the ox, dragon, sheep and dog.
With every region and season rich in ceremonies and traditions, travelers are sure to cultivate a deep cultural understanding of Taiwan no matter the time of year or location within the country they choose to visit. (E) (By Pat Gao)
Wang Ye boat-burning festivals are held in the southern county of Pingtung’s Donggang Township every three years. (Courtesy of Tourism Bureau)
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(This article is adapted from “Cultural Wealth” in the July/August issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)