Spooky fun? Chiayi launches a ghostly tour package with divine and ghostly meals

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

No taboos here！In line with the lunar seventh month, commonly known as “Ghost Month,” Chiayi County Government will hold the religious and cultural creative event “Only in Chiayi – Legends of Gods and Ghosts” starting August 3. The county has created a Ghost Academy, ghostly food trucks, ghostly tour groups, and for the first time, launched 30 kinds of cultural and creative products including “Dragon T-Shirts.” It also offers a “Gods and Ghosts Creative Cuisine Banquet” featuring over 10 dishes for the public to enjoy.

▲Chiayi County Government launches the “Only in Chiayi – Legends of Gods and Ghosts” event. (Photo / Provided by Chiayi County Government)

The county government stated that this Gods and Ghosts carnival is the first in the nation to transform intangible cultural assets into cultural and creative products. These include the colorful “Dragon T-Shirts” themed around the dragon, available in 10 different colors. The once solemn and unapproachable image of the dragon is now vibrant and lively, not only subverting the public’s existing impression but also symbolizing the “heritage and continuity” of religious culture.

▲The “Gods and Ghosts Cultural Banquet” is prepared using local specialties from various parts of Chiayi County. (Photo / Provided by Chiayi County Government)

The Gods and Ghosts creative cuisine features a “Divine Meal” and a “Ghostly Meal,” using local specialties such as Dongshi oysters, Minxiong pineapples, Budai seafood, and Shuishang lotus seeds. Dishes include “Seafood Platter with Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals,” “Four Gods Soup,” “Roselle Honey Pork Chops,” “Grass Jelly Mushroom Chicken,” “Seven Immortals Fruit Risotto,” “Fried Ghost Shrimp Floss,” “Seafood Coffin Bread,” “Pineapple Shrimp Ball Fried Ghost,” and “Fried Ghost – Chrysanthemum and Saba Fish Ball Soup.” Reservations are required to sample these dishes.

The county government stated that the Gods and Ghosts legend series of events will run until August 29, taking place at Budai Jiande Temple, Taibao Fuiji Temple, Luchao City God Temple, and Minxiong Da Shi Ye Temple. In line with the characteristics of each temple, activities such as “Lantern Night Patrol,” “Da Shi Ye Festival,” and “Zhongyuan Ghost Festival Cultural and Artistic Festival” will be held.

For details on the “Only in Chiayi – Legends of Gods and Ghosts” event and to book the “Gods and Ghosts Cultural Banquet,” please visit the official event website.