The Mazu Cultural Sightseeing Festival’s special shuttle bus hits the road on April 13

Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin

 

The 2013 Taichung Mazu International Cultural Tourism Festival series of events kicks off today and runs until May 19. From April 13 to May 19, the “Port Art Center” will host the “Guardian of the Land ~ Mazu Cultural Relics and Creative Products Exhibition,” featuring cultural relics and creative items from various century-old public temples, such as the ancient wooden incense burner from the Hanxi Lecheng Temple, small drums from the Xinshè Jiuzhuang Mazu, a 200-year-old horn from the Wuzhi Haotian Temple, couplets from the Nantun Wanhe Temple, and wood-carved incense sticks from the Wuzhi Chaoyuan Temple. These displays allow people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the unique charm of Mazu cultural relics.

On April 27 and 28, the “Creative Parade Performance” will be held at the Port Art Center, specially inviting the performance team “Nine Heavens Folklore Arts Troupe,” which participated in the box office hit movie *The Parades* (which grossed over 100 million NTD), along with other outstanding groups including the “Dongyang Elementary School Battle Drum Troupe,” “Zhongyi Hall Folk Culture Workshop,” “Quan’er Liangguang Lion Dance Troupe,” “Fatian Temple,” “Zhanghua County Fuzhao Elementary School,” “Kaohsiung City Neimen Elementary School,” “Wing Chun Hall,” “Dadushan Tongren Hall Martial Arts Lion Art Museum,” “Weijinlong Lion Dance & Battle Drum Troupe,” “Taichung City Maming Elementary School,” “Hongtu Folklore Arts Troupe,” “Shangwu Feng Lion Martial Arts Battle Drum Troupe,” and “Miaoxuan Dance Troupe.” Elite parade troupes from various counties and cities will gather for a spectacular performance.

 

The much-loved “Mazu Culture Shuttle Bus” began accepting registrations at 9:00 AM on April 8. From April 13 to May 19, over 6 weekends and a total of 24 services, 4 different themed routes will be offered, including the Prayer Route, Peace Route, Fortune Route, and Wealth Route. In conjunction with the cultural relics exhibition period, the shuttle will depart from the “Port Art Center,” “Datun Cultural Center,” “Tun District Arts Center,” and “Huludun Arts Center,” visiting local century-old Mazu temples such as the Dajia Chenlan Temple, Nantun Wanhe Temple, Hanxi Lecheng Temple, Wuzhi Haotian Temple, Wuzhi Chaoyuan Temple, Shengang Shekou Wanxing Temple, Dadu Wanxing Temple, and Fengyuan Ciji Temple. Within one day, participants will visit the Port Art Center and two temples, plus take part in a DIY activity, allowing them to experience the culture of temples and the beauty of Mazu cultural relics.

 

In addition, this year special events include the “Colorful Brushstrokes of Mazu – Mazu Beauty Watercolor Submission Competition” and “Traveling with Mazu – Activity Photo Collection and Online Voting.” Registration is open from now until May 20. “Colorful Brushstrokes of Mazu” invites the public to depict the dots, lines, and shapes of Mazu culture through their artwork, preserving the beauty of century-old Mazu temple architecture, figures, and folk cultural relics through artistic creation. “Traveling with Mazu” offers 10 different themes for participants to capture the essence of Mazu culture in an instant. Everyone is welcome to join the 2013 Taichung Mazu International Cultural Tourism Festival.

 

 

● Read more: Explore New Taichung – Weekend Family Art & Culture Strolls

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