A Transformer as the God of Wealth? Taiwan’s Coolest Bike-Borne Deity – Seek Good Fortune at the Tamsui Riverside in New Taipei

▲ The Bike Bumblebee also dons festive new attire. (Photo / Provided by the New Taipei City Government’s High-Level Riverbank Engineering Office, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As the Year of the Rooster nears, homes and neighborhoods are filling with festive cheer, and many are already planning their Lunar New Year trips. Visiting a God of Wealth temple is an annual must-do for many during the holiday. Here’s a little secret: a new “alien” God of Wealth has just arrived at the Crescent Bridge in New Taipei City, ready to bring everyone good fortune!

▲ The highly festive Bike God of Wealth attracts visitors for photos.

A rare long holiday is a great opportunity to explore the outskirts and scenic spots to enjoy beautiful views. To allow citizens to seek prosperity and success for the new year while admiring the scenery, the New Taipei City Government has dressed up the Bike Bumblebee as the God of Wealth. As visitors stroll along the Crescent Bridge and enjoy the view, they can descend the Sanchuang Levee Bike Path and spot the Bike God of Wealth, which resembles a Transformer Bumblebee. Not only does the Bike Bumblebee share a similar appearance and values with the Bumblebee from Transformers, but it also embodies a strong sense of justice. That’s why in 2017 (which sounds like “with you” in Chinese), the Bike Bumblebee dresses as the God of Wealth—one hand holding a spring couplet that reads “accumulate good deeds, accumulate blessings” to “accumulate good deeds and blessings with you,” while the other hand holds a golden ingot to bring wealth to all.