Showcasing cross-strait cultural experiences: Kinmen’s City God Welcome Festival kicks off in April!

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Kinmen County’s establishment. The “2014 Kinmen City God Welcome Festival – Wudao Religious & Cultural Tourism Season” will be held from April 12 to May 12, featuring a month-long celebration of traditional performing arts, folk expos, street parades, and more, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse folk culture of Southern Fujian.

%Golden Gate: A fusion of Southern Fujian culture with cross-strait characteristics. (Photo / from Kinmen National Park’s Facebook page)

Held annually on the 12th day of the fourth lunar month,the “Kinmen City God Welcome Festival” is the island’s most grandiose folk event.The City God parade has a 334-year history and preserves locally initiated and practiced performance troupes unique to Kinmen, such as palanquins, decorated floats, human-powered centipede carts, deity statues, and herbal rituals. Recognized last year by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture as an important folk tradition in the outlying islands, this iconic event showcases the island’s vibrant heritage.

A variety of hands-on performances and tour packages are offered under themes like “Golden Devotion,” “Golden Highlights,” “Golden Fun,” and “Golden Goodies.” During the “Golden Devotion” period, multiple large-scale parades will take place, including the April 12 (Gregorian calendar) “Birthday Parade of the Divine Physician of Lieyu,” the April 19 “Joint Peace Parade of the Heavenly Goddess and the Fourth Prince of Su,” and the May 9 (lunar April 11) cross-strait parade to Lieyu, divinely decided and expanded in scale. The festival culminates on May 10 (lunar April 12) with the “City God Relocation Memorial Parade,” commonly known as the “Kinmen City God Welcome Festival.” Starting in early April, locals in Houpu begin preparations for the festival. On the day itself, the City God’s palanquin leads the procession through the streets, joined enthusiastically by deities and troupes from cross-strait temples, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Under “Golden Fun,” activities include a Folk Expo, Southern Fujian performing arts experiences, guided tours of traditional village rituals, processions led by local temple guardians, the April 12 Wudao City God parade, and displays of Kinmen’s traditional folk performances. The Folk Expo features offerings culture, craftsmanship, vintage toys, tea snacks, and cross-strait performance troupes, with weekly rotating themes alongside temple fair and parade experiences that let visitors engage with the charm of Southern Fujian culture. “Golden Highlights” offers the Houpu parade and folk performances, lion dance competitions, palanquin parades and cross-strait performance showcases, performances by Taiwanese opera troupes and Xiamen art schools, coming-of-age rituals for parade participants, storytelling, god-thanking dramas, and photography and sketching contests themed around the City God Festival.

“Golden Goodies” includes gift-giving activities from local temple troupes, a folk arts fun zone, and promotions for Kinmen specialties. By joining temple troupe experiences across the four districts, participants can receive small souvenirs, offering a chance to deeply experience Kinmen’s local culture and enjoy an enriching trip.