Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je joins thousands in costume at the lively Guandu Festival as 22 performances take the stage

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Taipei’s most spectacular annual event, the 2017 Guandu Festival, kicked off over the weekend. Participating groups approached from both waterways and land routes, converging at the Guandu Waterfront Park for a full day of exciting activities. A total of 35 creative street parade teams took part on land, while over 100 canoes formed a flotilla on the water. With an estimated turnout of tens of thousands, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je also joined the boat parade that day, paddling a canoe to the site, donning costumes, and joining locals in a festive celebration at Guandu.

The Guandu Festival grows more vibrant year after year—not only bringing art into the community and fostering a sense of local unity, but also showcasing the culture of Guandu residents. This year’s theme, “Innovative Guandu, Full of Artistic Ideas,” is not just a one-day cultural festival, but a sustainable lifestyle initiative that incorporates the Greater Tamsui River Project, raising environmental awareness and establishing itself as Taiwan’s largest-scale festival event.

The most anticipated event of the year was the “Hundred Boats Gathering at Guandu.” On the morning of the 29th at 8:30 AM, the first fleet of boats set off from Shuangxi Pier, paddling along the Keelung River and Tamsui River toward the final destination—Guandu Fishing Harbor. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je joined the fleet at 10:00 AM, boarding a specially painted canoe for the festival. He disembarked at 10:30 AM, quickly changed into costume, and joined the street parade to celebrate joyfully with everyone.

This year’s street parade featured even more participants than in previous years, with communities going all out to create imaginative costumes. The parade teams performed impromptu acts along Guandu Road and Zhixing Road, delighting visitors. The organizers also hosted four Mini Heat Music Concerts locally in Guandu, treating attendees to musical performances that added to the festive atmosphere.

On October 29th, in conjunction with the parade, traffic controls were in place from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Guandu Road and Zhixing Road in Beitou. Buses were rerouted and did not stop along these roads. The public is advised to plan alternative routes.