Kaohsiung’s Largest Traditional Event – The “Turtle Begging Culture Festival” Calls on the Public to Carry Turtles for Blessings

▲ Kaohsiung’s most grandiose traditional blessing event during the Lunar New Year — the “Turtle Begging for Blessings and Peace Tourism Culture Festival.” The 18-ton giant sacred turtle is not only used for prayers but also serves to provide relief and comfort to the people. The image shown is from the 2013 sacred turtle. (Photo / Provided byKaohsiung Yicheng Hall’s official Facebook page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Kaohsiung City’s annual “Turtle Begging for Blessings and Peace Tourism Culture Festival” is set to return this year. For the first time ever, the event will combine the grand parade of the Giant Turtle King through the streets with the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. From February 9 to 16 in the evenings, timed and fixed-location turtle-carrying events will be held in the San Duo Shopping District, calling on thousands of citizens to join in praying for blessings with the Giant Turtle King. Today (23rd), the Lingya District Office held a press conference in front of the City Hall, where Civil Affairs Bureau Director Tseng Tzu-wen, Lingya District Chief Lan Mei-chen, and Yicheng Hall Director Hong Jung-feng officiated the divine turtle’s eye-dotting ceremony, officially launching the event.

The turtle-begging event in Lingya District is arguably the most iconic traditional activity in Taiwan. The sacred turtle mascot of Yicheng Hall abandons less preservable options like peanut turtles or nougat turtles, opting instead for durable food items such as grains, white rice, and beverages. The 18-ton electric Giant Turtle King displayed each year is constructed from 3,600 packs of 5-kilogram white rice. After the event, these food supplies can be distributed as charitable aid to low-income families and children’s homes, sharing the blessings of peace with those in need.

The event is not just a festival; in past years, the offerings included less sustainable food items. This year’s chosen food materials are easy to preserve. After the event concludes, the leftover food can be used for charity, distributing supplies to underprivileged households and orphanages, thereby sharing the blessings of peace with those who need them. (Photo / Provided byKaohsiung Yicheng Hall’s official Facebook page, the image shown is from the 2013 sacred turtle)

Civil Affairs Bureau Director Tseng Tzu-wen said that in previous years, turtle-begging activities were confined to praying for peace at temples. However, this year’s Turtle Begging for Blessings and Peace Tourism Culture Festival in Lingya District integrates the area’s commercial and economic characteristics, setting the theme as “Spring Brings All Joys, Vitality Comes with the Turtle.” The district is not only the most commercially vibrant area in Kaohsiung but also home to many office workers. The director hopes that after the Lunar New Year, office workers can lift their spirits and pray for a year full of happiness, success, and good fortune by taking part in the turtle-carrying event. “Vitality comes with the turtle,” bringing wealth and abundance.

In addition to the turtle-carrying sightseeing activity during the festival, on the opening day of February 8, which coincides with the Heavenly God’s Birthday, there will be a “Stepping on the Sedan Chair for Blessings” event, with an invitation extended to Mayor Chen Chu to distribute lucky red envelopes. Throughout the event period, there will also be a series of activities including dice games for great luck, wealth luck money draws, turtle-begging blessings, flower arrangements, calligraphy, sketch exhibitions, and singing competitions.

The Kaohsiung Turtle Begging for Blessings and Peace Tourism Culture Festival runs from February 8 to February 16, spanning the Heavenly God’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day, and the Lantern Festival. During the event, nearly 100 shops in the San Duo Shopping District will participate in a joint marketing campaign. Customers who make purchases at participating stores will receive “Wealth-Attracting Money Mother” vouchers. By presenting these vouchers at the main event venue, Kaohsiung Yicheng Hall, participants can exchange them for a “Wealth-Attracting Money Mother,” ensuring good fortune and prosperity in the new year.