By MOOK Scenic Spots / Reported by Zhang Yawen
From July 1 to August 31, the National Center for Traditional Arts hosts its annual highlight — the “Magic & Illusion Arts Festival,” featuring over 600 performances across two months, with nine shows daily from day to night. In August, there’s an extra treat: the Qixi Blessing Festival, where you can pray for good fortune in love and snap photos of the romantic “Blue Tears” under the starlit sky.
Romantic Wish Star Blue Tears, exclusive to Qixi. (Photo / National Center for Traditional Arts)
The Qixi Blessing Festival runs from August 17 (Fri) to August 19 (Sun). For the first time, the “Houliaopu Seven Stars Palace Seven Star Goddess” has been specially invited from Yunlin to Yilan to distribute red blessing threads for love. Unlike other Weaver Girl or Old Man Under the Moon temples, the Seven Star Goddess is a local belief rooted in regional folklore. She not only helps bless romantic relationships but also brings happiness and harmony to families.
Show this event-specific photo at the gate for free entry during the festival. (Photo / National Center for Traditional Arts)
During the Qixi Blessing Festival, the first 200 visitors each day after 2:00 PM who show the event-specific photo can enter for free. Besides getting a love blessing thread from the Seven Star Goddess, you can take photos at designated romantic spots, get likes on your social posts, and even exchange for a free sheet of face mask — because a face mask blessed by the Seven Star Goddess is said to help you gain popularity.
A face mask blessed by the Seven Star Goddess is believed to bring you good social luck. (Photo / National Center for Traditional Arts)
The highlight of the event is the “Blessing Star Ceremony.” As long as you have a designated item or any receipt (no minimum amount) from within the park, you can exchange it for the chance to cast a Blessing Star. Then, from 7:15–7:45 PM at the riverside behind the Wenchang Shrine Stage, make a wish and release your star into the Moon River. Countless Blessing Stars form a stunning celestial river on the water, carrying your heartfelt wishes to the sky on this romantic night.
Countless Blessing Stars form a magical celestial river that resembles the romantic Blue Tears. (Photo / National Center for Traditional Arts)
Meanwhile, the Magic & Illusion Arts Festival features death-defying equestrian stunts, mind-blowing magic shows, hands-on folk craft DIYs, and flash mob performances. With over 600 shows throughout the summer, entry after 4:00 PM costs just NT$100, and after 6:00 PM, residents of Yilan County can enter for free with ID. It’s a fantastic and fun destination for a summer getaway.
Qixi Photo Spot Alert: Super Insta-Worthy Japanese-Inspired Architecture
》https://www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=18521