The "Penghu Fireworks Festival" concludes on June 23 – the Hailin Temple will lead 22 decorated warrior sedan chairs in a parade!

▲On the closing day of the Penghu Fireworks Festival, after the fireworks, 22 warrior sedan chairs will parade through Magong City. (Photo /Penghu County Government Official Website)

Reported by Lin Yuling / Comprehensive Report

The 2016 Penghu Fireworks Festival is set to close on June 23. That evening, "Hailin Temple" and the "Penghu County Warrior Sedan Chair and Parasol Culture Promotion Association" will gather 22 warrior sedan chairs equipped with sound and light effects to parade through Magong City. This traditional folk event, titled "Warrior Sedan Chairs of the Chrysanthemum Island Celebrate Fireworks," combines local heritage with the Penghu fireworks display. With the peak summer travel season approaching, it is expected to spark a tourism boom.

The Civil Affairs Office stated that this year, a total of 22 warrior sedan chair troupes will participate in the "Warrior Sedan Chairs Celebrate Fireworks" event. These include Xiamen Zhenyi Temple, Tieshan Qingshui Temple, Shuye Shengdi Temple, ShanShui Shangdi Temple, Anshan Beiji Temple, Hudong Shengdi Temple, Dingwan Kaidi Temple, Jiali Shuixian Temple, Aimen Sansheng Temple, Xingren Maoling Temple, Jibei Wusheng Temple, Jianshan Xianji Temple, Chishih Longde Temple, Waigao Diliushizhu, Neigao Dechewei, Mianliao Longshe Temple, Juguang Wusheng Temple, Zhushan Cihui Temple, Renshou Tianhou Temple, Zhongliao Hongsheng Temple, Zhenglun Tianhou Temple, and Houliau Weiling Temple.

The sedan chair parade will be divided into two stages. The first stage begins at 6:00 p.m. with all sedan chairs gathering at Tonghe Road, then proceeding along Haipu Road, Minfu Road, Minquan Road, Minsheng Road, turning onto Zhongzheng Road before taking a brief rest at the County Government Plaza. The second stage starts at 9:35 p.m. with the firing of the “Starting Cannon” from the County Government Plaza. The parade will then move through the bustling area of Zhongzheng Road, turn right onto Zhongshan Road, and conclude at Hailin Temple.

▲After enjoying the closing fireworks of the festival, visitors can immediately join the 22 warrior sedan chairs for an urban parade. (Illustration /Penghu County Government Official Website)

The Civil Affairs Office pointed out that to promote the deep-rooted tradition of warrior sedan chairs, in addition to enhancing cultural activities at related temples, the sedan chair troupes have been asked once again to demonstrate the highest level of discipline. This year, they even signed a self-discipline agreement to “reduce firecracker use.” The event on the closing night of the fireworks festival will showcase the nighttime charm of the warrior sedan chairs.

On June 23, after enjoying the romantic fireworks of the festival, visitors can immediately join the 22 warrior sedan chairs for an “urban parade,” experiencing the dazzling allure of Penghu’s warrior sedan chair culture during the street procession. This is a unique festive tradition of Penghu. It is expected that tens of thousands of tourists will flood the city area after the fireworks festival.

June 23 Warrior Sedan Chair Parade Map:

▲The 2016 Penghu Fireworks Festival is set to close on June 23. (Photo /Penghu International Sea Fireworks Festival)

★Remaining Penghu Fireworks Festival Dates: June 11 (Sat), June 13 (Mon), June 16 (Thu), June 18 (Sat), June 20 (Mon), June 23 (Thu) – all taking place at the “Magong Guanyinting Park.” Additionally, there will be events on June 4 (Sat) at Aimen Beach and June 15 (Wed) at Jibei Beach.

★Stage Performance Time: 8:00–9:15 p.m. / Fireworks Display Time: 9:00–9:15 p.m.
★The Jibei Beach fireworks on Wednesday, June 15, will begin at 8:00 p.m.