Keelung Ghost Festival / Ghosts appear in Taiwan Rail carriages acting all casual, scaring kids to tears

▲ Today, you might find a ghost sitting right next to you on the Taipei-to-Keelung train. (Photo / Reporter Yu Tzu-ju)

Reporters Yu Tzu-ju and Chen Tzu-yin / Comprehensive report

The Keelung Ghost Festival’s Water Lantern Parade took place in full swing today (20th), and the “Ghost Train” warm-up event aimed to get people excited by inviting them to ride trains with the ghosts to Keelung for the festival. Taiwan Rail carriages became unusually lively due to the appearance of these “ghost passengers.”


▲ Baozi Jian from Monster Village brought a playful vibe to the local train. (Photo / Reporter Yu Tzu-ju)

 
▲ Baozi Jian made an appearance in the carriage, drawing smiles and photo ops. (Photo / Reporter Yu Tzu-ju)


▲ There are ghosts on the platform too ! (Photo / Reporter Yu Tzu-ju)


▲ Would you dare eat candy handed out by a ghost in a school uniform? (Photo / Reporter Yu Tzu-ju)

This year, Keelung’s “Keelung Ghost Festival” introduced a Ghost Train, featuring art students dressed as a variety of ghosts from both Chinese and international folklore, as well as mascots from Nantou’s Xiagu Monster Village. From 3 PM to 5:30 PM on the 20th, they made surprise appearances on Taiwan Rail’s Taipei-to-Keelung local trains and in Keelung Railway Station’s main hall, inviting passengers to join the ghostly carnival that is the Keelung Ghost Festival. The spooky surprises thrilled and amused passengers — many happily snapped photos with the ghoulish guests, though some children burst into tears after being startled by the creepy-looking figures.