Bombing of Master Han Dan

炸寒單爺

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Religious & SpiritualTaitung City
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThe ritual centers on Han Dan Yeh, a folk
Language["zh-Hant"]Currency: TWD
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Bombing of Master Han Dan in Taitung City

Each Lantern Festival, Taitung City stages one of Taiwan's most intense folk rituals: a bare-chested man embodying Han Dan Yeh, the folk name for the deity Xuantan Zhenjun, rides a palanquin through downtown streets while crowds hurl lit firecrackers directly at him. Organized by Taitung Tianhou Temple and Xuanwutang temple, the custom is grouped with Pingxi sky lanterns and Yanshui beehive fireworks as one of Taiwan's three defining Lantern Festival pyrotechnic traditions.

In Taitung City, the fifteenth night of the lunar new year does not end with quiet lanterns.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The ritual centers on Han Dan Yeh, a folk incarnation of Xuantan Zhenjun, the Daoist god Zhao Gongming, who is said to fear cold, so worshippers believe pelting his human stand-in with firecrackers warms and honors him

02

The mystery stays covered

The performer, often a local man with reputation to build within his community, wears the deity's seal so the god can possess him and blunt the pain

03

The city starts moving

A 2006 documentary, Bombing the God, followed three such performers in Taitung across 22 months, including an on-camera firecracker injury to a performer's ear

04

The water draws everyone in

Unlike Yanshui's mass fireworks barrage aimed at general crowds, Taitung's version deliberately targets one human figure riding a palanquin through the streets, making it Taiwan's east-coast entry in the north-south-east trio of Lantern Festival pyrotechnic customs

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The custom centers on Han Dan Yeh

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Taiwanese folk name for Xuantan Zhenjun

The sacred route

Living ritual

identified with the Daoist deity Zhao Gongming

The local code

Living ritual

who evolved in Chinese folk religion from a plague figure into a wealth god

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Because he is said to fear cold

Tradition 6

Living ritual

worshippers throw firecrackers at his human representative to warm and honor him

Tradition 7

Living ritual

a belief distinct from Yanshui's beehive fireworks

Tradition 8

Living ritual

which target general crowds rather than one performer

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

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

What to wear

Wear old, expendable long-sleeved clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a cap or hood, since sparks and firecracker debris land throughout the crowd even outside the immediate procession route...

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 map22.76 N, 121.14 EOpen in Google Maps

Taitung City, Taitung, Taiwan

Nearest airportKHH — Kaohsiung
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 Taitung City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Taitung City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearWear old, expendable long-sleeved clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a cap or hood, since sparks and firecracker debris land throughout the crowd even outside the immediate procession route. Cotton or thick fabric is safer than synthetic material near flame. Actual performers wear minimal clothing on the torso by tradition, but spectators should cover exposed skin.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

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Bombing of Master Han Dan?

Bombing of Master Han Dan is listed for Past edition: 1 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Bombing of Master Han Dan take place?

The festival is listed in Taitung City, 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?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Taitung City, Taitung, Taiwan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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