Miaoli County: The annual Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, known as Taiwan's longest religious procession on foot, has commenced in Miaoli County, attracting a record-breaking 329,118 registered participants. The pilgrimage pays homage to the sea goddess Mazu, who is venerated at Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, a coastal township in the region.
According to Focus Taiwan, the 10-day journey to Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Yunlin County, covers a distance of over 300 kilometers and is particularly noted for its unpredictable route and timing. Despite the two temples being approximately 120 kilometers apart, the path taken by pilgrims varies each year, adding an element of spontaneity to the event.
The procession started after the goddess was placed in her palanquin, affectionately called the "pink sports car," at 11:25 p.m., with the official commencement at 12:03 a.m. on Friday. The event saw participation from prominent figures, including President Lai Ching-te, who was present at Gongtian Temple on Thursday evening for the ceremonial removal of the Mazu statue.
Local dignitaries such as Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei, and Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan also attended the ceremony. In addition, "Shanbian Mazu," a counterpart deity from Houlong Township in Miaoli, was placed on the palanquin at 11:50 p.m. to join the pilgrimage.
Chung highlighted the pilgrimage's designation as a national intangible cultural asset in 2010, underscoring its historical and cultural significance. Officials from Gongtian Temple have estimated that the outbound journey to Beigang will take between 34 to 37 hours.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to reach Beigang at 11 a.m. on Saturday, preceding the holy fire ceremony at Chaotian Temple set for 12:40 a.m. on Sunday. Historically, the return journey has been completed in comparably short durations; in 2024, participants made the trek from Yunlin back to Miaoli in just 34 hours.
The Ministry of the Interior describes the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage as Taiwan's longest religious walk by distance, unique for its annually changing route, duration, and rest stops.