Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
With the gates of the underworld opening during the seventh lunar month, readers who love to travel around must be looking for some themed activities to join in, right? Starting now, Ghost Month events are kicking off across Taiwan. Whether it’s the long-standing Ghost Festival and Pole Climbing competitions, or brand-new spooky carnivals, there’s plenty to enjoy in a lively and festive atmosphere.
Think you can’t travel around during Ghost Month? Check out these exclusive Ghost Month events instead！ (Photo provided by Keelung City Government)
Keelung / Keelung Ghost Festival — Now until September 5
With a history of 159 years, this year’s Keelung Ghost Festival is hosted by the Xie family clan association. In addition to the traditional Water Lantern Parade on the 14th day of the seventh lunar month (August 20), which features large lotus lantern stands and water lanterns, last year’s popular “Ghost Tour” makes a comeback this year as the “Ghost Train.” On the afternoon of the Water Lantern Parade, actors dressed as ghosts will ride in the train cars, joining the public for the parade. Starting August 10, performances will also be held at the Keelung Cultural Center Plaza, Lobby, as well as the Barcelona and Dragon Soaring Communities. This year, over 20 local performance groups will take part, along with dance and music troupes from Brazil, the U.S., Bolivia, Japan, and more.
Additionally, this year’s water dance at Marine Square will feature a “dance of light and water” theme, using alternating water and light projections to visually interpret the meaning of the Keelung Ghost Festival. The water dance performances are scheduled every 30 minutes, transforming the square into a large-scale light art canvas through water curtain animations that showcase the core spirit of the festival—competition and cooperation. Yeli River, Civic Square, and Heritage Boulevard will feature installation art, with local arts groups and student clubs taking center stage to launch a grand cultural performance.
【Info】
Website: http://goo.gl/uZX8c2
Chiayi / Taiwan’s Only Ghost & Deity Legends — Now until August 29
Chiayi County has, for the first time this year, brought together temples such as Budai Jiande Temple, Taibao Fuiji Temple, Luchao City God Temple, and Minxiong Da Shi Ye Temple to jointly host the “Taiwan’s Only Ghost & Deity Legends” Ghost Month carnival. Activities include Torchlight Night Patrols, Qixi Festival, Ghost Festival, and Da Shi Ye Festival. Among them, the “Torchlight Night Patrol” in Budai Guogou is the only century-old torchlit parade in Taiwan for driving away spirits.
Beyond the spooky carnival, a “Ghost & Deity Cuisine” menu has also been introduced, combining local agricultural and seafood specialties such as Dongshi oysters, Budai catch, and Minxiong pineapples to create ghost-themed delicacies like fried shrimp floss rolls and seafood coffin bread.
【Info】
Website: www.god-ghost.com.tw
Pingtung / 2013 Hengchun Ancient City International Pole Climbing Tourism Culture Event — August 20–21
Every year on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, Hengchun holds a Pole Climbing event where greased logs are erected and competitors form teams to climb. Other surrounding activities include the Pole Climbing Competition, art troupe carnivals, and more.
This year’s event kicks off on August 20, with the City God Night Parade starting at 5:00 PM, followed by a hot music band competition in the evening. The highlight of the second day—the Pole Climbing Competition—begins at 9:10 PM. Over the two-day event, performers such as Julie Zhu, Power Station of Love’s Chen Shian, Hsu Fu-kai, Wu Shen-mei, and Kuo Ting-yun will also take the stage.
【Info】
Website: http://goo.gl/V22D4s
Yilan / Toucheng Pole Climbing — Now until September 4
Originating in the Qing Dynasty and famously held in the middle of the seventh lunar month, Yilan County’s Toucheng Pole Climbing event returns this year after a two-year hiatus and has been expanded. The event venue has also moved from Wushi to the Toucheng Wenhua Primary School No. 1 Cultural Park. During the event, the highly anticipated Pole Climbing Night will take place on September 4, with a total of 16 teams competing, and the first prize winner taking home NT$200,000.
In addition, a Ghost Month Makeup Street Parade will be held on the evening of September 3 at 6:00 PM at Toucheng Sports Park, featuring water lantern floats, electric-powered San Taizi (the Monkey King), lion dances, and northern-style wind and percussion performances, giving the public a rare chance to experience Taiwan’s traditional Ghost Month street festivities.
【Info】
Website: http://goo.gl/QCnXEE
● Read more: Romantic Qixi Festival — Quick Guide to Sweet Events
http://goo.gl/iixRwy