The Toucheng Guan (Lone Pole Climbing) Competition kicks off in 4 days, with 4 new high poles and 16 teams competing fiercely for the championship

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The grand finale of the Central Taiwan Ghost Festival folk activities, the "Toucheng Guan," will take place on the evening of September 4. This year, the number of guan poles has increased from 12 to 16, allowing 16 teams to compete simultaneously, making the competition even more intense. Starting on the 3rd, there will be street parades, religious processions, and the release of blessing lanterns. On the night of the Guan, a high-altitude fireworks display will be held, with performances by the Chairman Band and singer Huoshan Liang, joining the public for a lively celebration.

▲ The Toucheng Guan event. (Photo / Courtesy of Yilan Digital Opportunity Center)

This year’s Guan event will not be held at the Toucheng Wushi Harbor as in previous years but will return to the former elementary school site near the Toucheng Beach, where the event was first revived. Additionally, after this year’s competition, the guan shed will not be dismantled but will become a “permanent structure.” Some members of the public have raised concerns that not removing the guan shed might cause “hungry ghosts” to linger. The organizing committee responded that after the festival, religious rituals such as the Zhong Kui Dance will be performed to guide the spirits back to their rightful place.

▲ Preparations for the 2013 Toucheng Guan event. (Photo / Courtesy of2013 Toucheng Guan Facebook Fan Page)

The highlight of the event, the Guan competition, will begin at 11 p.m. on the 4th. Starting at 8 p.m., there will be an exciting rock music performance evening, followed by a high-altitude fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Subsequently, the 16 participating teams will enter the arena to make their declarations and officially begin the competition for this year’s championship.

According to tradition, the “Erecting the Lantern Pole” ceremony is held on the 25th day of the seventh lunar month. This year, the lantern pole is approximately 13 meters tall. The Toucheng Ghost Festival Association stated that the higher the pole, the more eye-catching it is and the better it can attract wandering spirits to enjoy the offerings. The main significance of the entire Guan event is to honor ancestors and show compassion for all beings.

Transportation Information
Public Transport: Take a train to Toucheng Station. After exiting, walk straight onto Qingyun Road Section 3, turn right, then left onto Kailan East Road to arrive.
Self-Drive: Exit at Toucheng Interchange on National Freeway No. 5, take Qingyun Road Sections 1 and 2, then connect to Kailan East Road to arrive; or take the Coastal Highway toward Toucheng and connect to Kailan East Road.