6 Unique Festivals That You Can Only Experience In Taiwan
Within the tiny island of Taiwan, each season brings a whole host of unique and unmissable festivals. Whether you’re planning a trip or already landed, make sure to check out what’s happening nearby for a truly unforgettable experience.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (February)
(Mid-Autumn Sky Lantern Festival takes place, September)
In a former mining village just outside of Taipei, it has become a tradition to release lanterns into the sky, adorn with wishes to celebrate the coming year. Taking place on the last day of the Lunar calendar, traditionally wishes were intertwined with hopes for a bountiful harvest that year. Wishes now, still remain a reflection of Taiwanese society, asking for high exam grades and good health within the family.
For those concerned about negative environmental impact, don’t worry, you can still enjoy the festival in good conscience. Clean-up events are regularly organized in the area, providing the opportunity to hike as well as connect with locals and the area on a deeper level. Additionally, shops within the village offer small goods such as toilet paper and detergent in exchange for lanterns collected.
Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival (February)
Forget everything you know about firework safety; the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival provides a night of the most adrenaline rushing experiences as rockets are fired directly into the crowd. If this wasn’t crazy enough, locals believe the more you get hit, the luckier you will be. Be sure to wear protective clothing, even if you’re not participating – the excitement of the crowds can obscure the true danger of the festivities.
From a 20-year cholera outbreak that nearly devastated the town, survivors would pray to the God of War, Guan Di, to drive out the evil spirits thought to be at the core of the epidemic. In doing so, they paraded his statue around the town, accompanied by firecrackers. Now, Guan Di is followed by beehive-like structures filled with firecrackers, waiting to hit a lucky participant.
Taipei’s Dragon Boat Festival (June)
Although not exclusive to Taiwan, Taipei’s Dragon Boat festival drums up plenty of excitement each year and is one of the biggest competitions of its kind within Asia. Elite teams from major cities are invited to compete and aside from the races, the area is filled with live performances, games and traditional cuisine, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Said to originate from the Zhou dynasty, the poet Qu Yuan was banished for his opposing views and committed suicide after his city was captured by another warring state. Local people who admired the poet rushed out in longboats to save him, but it was too late. Not being able to retrieve Yuan’s body, zongzi (sticky rice parcels) were dropped into the river to lure the fish away from eating his body.
Toucheng Ghost Grappling Festival (August)
Stemming from Taoism and Buddhism alike, Ghost Month comes around on the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar, with the gates of the underworld opening for 30 days. A significant festival in countries associating with these religions, Taiwan does have one special tradition to commemorate those who had passed away that year.
Toucheng, Yilan, hosts the biggest Ghost Grappling Festival, an annual contest wherein competitors climb a greased bamboo poles (some reaching an exhausting 20m) to claim the flag at its top. Alongside monetary prizes, victors also receive the most important gift of all - good fortune for the coming year.
Mazu International Festival (March-April)
As one of the most revered deities in Taiwan, the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is a 9-day procession starting from Dajia Zhenlan Temple, Changhua county and ending at Fengtian Temple, Chiayi county. Whether you choose to walk the whole trip or part way, you can enjoy float parades, theatre and dance performances as well as form new friendships and connections with fellow walkers.
It’s a birthday celebration of Mazu, Goddess of the Sea, who migrated to Taiwan with people from the Fujian Province of China, as well as a cultural exchange with international audiences. Growing beyond its religious origins, the festival is now one of Taiwan’s most heart-warming events, showcasing the generosity and community running through the country.
The Ear-shooting Festival of Bunun tribe (April-May)
Home to many indigenous tribes, the customs and traditions of Taiwan’s aborigine population deserves to be more widely known. While most tribes have now settled in the mountains and numbers are much lower than before, the pulses of 16 officially recognized tribes can still be found beating across the country.
One interesting festival takes place late April, early May and is the most important event for the Bunun tribe. In preparation, young men head out in hunting parties to the mountains, taking the ears of their kills and sticking them to poles or trees for the village men to shoot with arrows. Teaching sportsmanship and survival skills, children also participate in the celebrations, in the hope that this will help them to become better hunters.
