Why Is the Baishatun Mazu Festival in Miaoli County, Taiwan the Ultimate Bucket-List Experience for Cultural Tourists Worldwide?

Published on May 12, 2025

The 2025 Mazu Festival in Taiwan drew record crowds from around the world, uniting faith, culture, and hospitality in one of Asia’s most powerful living religious traditions. Held annually in honor of the sea goddess Mazu, this multi-week festival unfolded from early April to mid-May and included spectacular pilgrimages, rich cultural performances, and a post-pandemic resurgence in global participation.

With over one million attendees, the festival reached unprecedented scale this year, offering immersive experiences in Taiwan’s deeply rooted temple culture. The event combined ancient rituals with modern cultural tourism, signaling Taiwan’s growing influence as a center for spiritual and cultural travel.

Who is Mazu? A Goddess of the Sea and Protector of the People

Mazu, often called the Queen of Heaven, is one of the most revered deities in Taiwan. Her origins trace back over 1,000 years to a young woman named Lin Mo Niang, who was said to perform miracles and guide seafarers through storms.

Why Mazu Matters Today

Mazu’s worship has grown far beyond maritime circles. In modern Taiwan, she represents:

• Safety and protection in daily life
• Peace and communal blessings
• Devotion, charity, and hospitality
• A bridge between generations and cultural identity

Mazu’s birthday, celebrated during the third lunar month, is marked by a sprawling festival combining religious rituals with cultural expression across Taiwan.

The Pilgrimages: Spiritual Journeys Across the Heart of Taiwan

Two of the most prominent events in the Mazu Festival are the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage and the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage. These massive processions span hundreds of kilometers and involve hundreds of thousands of participants walking day and night in honor of the goddess.

Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage — A Planned Route with Centuries of Tradition

Starting on April 4, 2025, the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage departed from the famous Zhenlan (Jenn Lann) Temple in Dajia, Taichung. Over nine days and eight nights, the journey covered roughly 340 kilometers, passing through four counties: Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi.

Key highlights included:

• 600,000 worshippers attended the nighttime send-off, lining the streets with incense and chants
• The procession visited 110 temples, where local communities welcomed Mazu with traditional music, dances, and offerings
• Free meals and accommodation were provided by thousands of volunteers, embodying the festival’s spirit of generosity

The return to Dajia was celebrated with fireworks, rituals, and jubilant crowds, capping off one of the largest and most organized religious events in Asia.

Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage — A Divine Path Without a Map

On May 2, 2025, another pilgrimage began from Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Miaoli County. Known for its spontaneous and divinely guided path, this pilgrimage has no fixed route.

What makes Baishatun unique:

• 329,118 devotees registered, with total turnout exceeding 400,000 including informal participants
• The route is determined on the spot by casting divination blocks to ask Mazu for direction at every intersection
• This year’s journey covered nearly 400 kilometers round-trip, ending at Beigang Chaotian Temple in Yunlin

The pilgrimage took an extraordinary turn this year, entering Nantou County for the first time since the 1860s and visiting the Songbailing Shoutian Temple—a moment that thrilled historians and spiritual leaders alike.

Cultural Heritage in Motion: Rituals, Performances, and Symbolism

The Mazu Festival is more than a religious march. It’s a living exhibition of Taiwan’s cultural heritage, featuring folk rituals, theatrical performances, and traditional art forms.

Devotion in Action

Throughout the pilgrimages, devotees engaged in unique acts of worship:

• Touching or shouldering the palanquin carrying Mazu’s effigy, believed to bestow good luck
• Lying on the ground to allow the palanquin to pass over them, symbolizing purification and blessing
• Chanting ancient prayers and burning incense to show devotion

Many of these acts are centuries old but continue to resonate deeply with both young and old Taiwanese, as well as curious foreign visitors.

Folk Arts and Performances

In parallel with the religious ceremonies, the Mazu International Culture Festival was held in Taichung. The event featured:

• Taiwanese opera and puppet theater
• Acrobatic dance troupes and drum ensembles
• Parades of lion and dragon dancers, martial artists, and costumed Mazu guardians

Prominent groups like the Ming Hwa Yuan opera troupe performed classic tales of justice and compassion in honor of Mazu.

Tradition Meets Sustainability

This year’s festival also reflected Taiwan’s growing environmental awareness. Many temples opted for smokeless, eco-friendly firecrackers, reducing air pollution without sacrificing tradition.

Global Participation and Tourism Impact

The 2025 Mazu Festival marked a significant milestone in Taiwan’s post-pandemic tourism recovery. The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) led international campaigns promoting the event, which resulted in a surge of global interest.

Tourism Growth and International Visitors

• Travel agencies reported a 50% increase in tour bookings compared to 2024
• One major agency served over 3,000 international tourists with dedicated Mazu pilgrimage tour packages
• Visitors came from North America, Southeast Asia, and Europe, many drawn by media coverage and cultural outreach

Sylvia Lee, Director of the TTA’s San Francisco Office, highlighted the event as “a living expression of Taiwan’s spiritual heritage and community vitality.” She encouraged Canadian and global visitors to plan trips for the 2026 edition, emphasizing Taiwan’s warmth and inclusivity.

Education, Transmission, and the Next Generation

Beyond attracting tourists and pilgrims, the Mazu Festival plays an important role in cultural education and heritage transmission.

Learning Through Participation

• Schools across Taiwan held storytelling events, workshops, and essay contests about Mazu’s history
• Youth volunteers joined temple teams, helping with logistics and rituals
• Museums and cultural centers curated Mazu-themed exhibitions to explore her mythology and symbolism

By including youth in both the performance and organizational aspects, the festival ensures continuity and evolving relevance.

Conclusion: Mazu’s Legacy in a Modern World

The 2025 Mazu Festival reaffirmed its place as one of the world’s great religious and cultural pilgrimages. It offered a stunning blend of spirituality, celebration, community, and art. In doing so, it demonstrated Taiwan’s ability to uphold ancient traditions while embracing sustainability, inclusivity, and global engagement.

From the crowded streets of Dajia to the winding, spirit-led paths of Baishatun, from temple fireworks to opera stages, the Mazu Festival pulsed with life and meaning. It was not only a journey across land—but across generations and cultures.

With record-breaking turnout, an increase in international visitors, and deeper cultural engagement, the 2025 Mazu Festival stands as a model for how living traditions can thrive in the modern era.