Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage

白沙屯媽祖進香

View on map
Religious & SpiritualBaishatun to Beigang
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 460,000 people
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageWhat sets Baishatun apart from Taiwan's
Language["zh-Hant"]Currency: TWD
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage in Baishatun to Beigang

The Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage carries the Mazu statue of Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Miaoli County, on a roughly four-hundred-kilometre round-trip procession to Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Yunlin County, and back, a Taoist tradition dating to 1863. Unlike other Mazu pilgrimages, its exact route and duration are never fixed in advance, decided instead by the palanquin's own unpredictable movements, earning it a reputation as Taiwan's most challenging pilgrimage.

In the plains of western Taiwan, twice each spring in the weeks after Lunar New Year, one of the country's most unusual religious processions sets out from a small coastal temple with no fixed idea of exactly where it will go.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets Baishatun apart from Taiwan's other major Mazu pilgrimages is its genuinely unpredictable route: palanquin carriers say they can feel Mazu's will guiding each turn, so pilgrims know only the starting point and the destination, with the actual path, and even the number of days it takes, varying every year, from as few as six days and five nights to as many as twelve days and eleven nights in different editions

02

The mystery stays covered

A second Mazu statue, called Mazu of the Mountain Side from nearby Houlong Township, traditionally accompanies the Baishatun Mazu for the entire journey, adding a distinct dual-deity element not found in other major Taiwanese pilgrimages

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The pilgrimage has been practiced since 1863

Water and renewal

Living ritual

making it one of Taiwan's older continuous Mazu jinxiang traditions

The sacred route

Living ritual

and its defining custom

The local code

Living ritual

that Mazu's palanquin carriers determine the day's direction and stopping point by sensing the goddess's will rather than following a planned map

Tradition 5

Living ritual

is treated by believers as proof of Mazu's direct

Tradition 6

Living ritual

active guidance rather than a symbolic or ceremonial gesture

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Durable, broken-in walking shoes and layered, weather-adaptable clothing are essential given the unpredictable duration and route, which can mean anywhere from six to twelve or more days of...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["zh-Hant"] · TWD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map24.26 N, 120.55 EOpen in Google Maps

Baishatun to Beigang, Miaoli/Yunlin, Taiwan

Nearest airportRMQ — Taichung International Airport / Ching Chuang Kang Air Base
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Baishatun to Beigang via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Baishatun to Beigang, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearDurable, broken-in walking shoes and layered, weather-adaptable clothing are essential given the unpredictable duration and route, which can mean anywhere from six to twelve or more days of walking through changing conditions across western Taiwan's plains.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Taiwan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage?

Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage is listed for Past edition: 13 April 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage take place?

The festival is listed in Baishatun to Beigang, Taiwan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Baishatun to Beigang, Miaoli/Yunlin, Taiwan

How big is it?

Medium: 460000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbaishatun.com.tw
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Fiesta de la Virgen de Caacupe

8 December 2026

Caacupe, Paraguay
Photo pending

Grand Magal de Touba

3 August 2026

Touba, Senegal
Photo pending

Romeria de la Virgen de los Angeles

1–2 August 2026

Cartago, Costa Rica
Photo pending

Sydney Royal Easter Show

19–30 March 2027

Sydney, Australia

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →