Fire Horse Festival 火馬祭 - Lantern Festival Tradition from Lucao, Chiayi

Travel Date: 2026/03/07

Fire Horse Festival in Lucao – One of the Most Intense Festivals I’ve Seen in Taiwan. Well, because I don't dare to go to the Beehive Festival in Yanshui, Tainan, I guess this might be the most dramatic thing I’ll ever see lol.

Last weekend (March 7th) we went to Lucao in Chiayi County to see the traditional Fire Horse Festival (火馬祭) at Yuanshan Temple (嘉義鹿草圓山宮). I had seen photos before, but experiencing it in person was something completely different.

It was spectacular, loud, chaotic, and honestly a little bit shocking.

About the Festival

The Fire Horse Festival is actually a series of events leading up to the main ceremony. These activities include:

- Eating peace dumplings for good fortune

- Drinking traditional herbal wine

- Passing under temple palanquins for blessings

- Making DIY fire horses

- Temple processions around the town

- Praying for fortune coins and peace offerings

These rituals bring the community together and extend the celebration far beyond the single night of the fire ceremony.

Temple committee members and local volunteers work together to craft the horse by hand — weaving the frame and covering it with straw. The process intentionally recreates the way villagers would have made the original fire horses centuries ago.

This handmade craftsmanship adds an important cultural dimension to the ritual, preserving traditional skills alongside religious belief.

Normally, the Fire Horse ceremony takes place on Lantern Festival night (the 15th day of the Lunar New Year).

However, because the Taiwan Lantern Festival was held in Chiayi County in 2026, Yuanshan Temple consulted the temple deity Wang Sun Da Shi Gong (王孫大使公) and decided to postpone the large Fire Horse ceremony so more people could attend. It was held on a Saturday instead of during the week, and I am so grateful for that — otherwise we would not have made it there.

The festival is an old local tradition that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. In the past, people believed burning a “fire horse” could drive away disease and bad luck from the village. Villagers would build horses out of straw or paper and burn them in a ritual so the gods’ soldiers could carry away epidemics and misfortune.

The ceremony disappeared for almost 60 years, but it was revived in 2021 and has become one of the most unusual festivals in southern Taiwan!

Something I Did Not Expect…

Before the horses were burned, a ritual took place that I definitely did not expect to see.

A spirit medium — a person believed to be temporarily possessed by the temple deity — walked around the horses performing a ceremony. He was spitting alcohol onto the horses, almost like blessing them before the fire.

Then the ritual became even more intense.

He started hitting his own back with different weapons as part of the ritual. Eventually his back was bleeding, but he continued the ceremony while people watched quietly. It was very powerful and honestly quite shocking if you have never seen something like this before.

Taiwanese temple rituals can sometimes be very intense, but this was definitely one of the strongest I have seen.

I had only watched some of these rituals on YouTube before, when my husband accidentally discovered a channel about temple rituals and spirit mediums. I watched a few and was quite shocked — actually I asked my husband to stop watching those things because I didn’t have a very good feeling about it.

Preparing the Fire Horses

After the ritual finished, the horses were prepared for the main event (放火馬).

They were covered with gasoline, many strings of firecrackers, and long fuses running through the structure. You could already imagine what would happen next.

When they finally lit the fuse, everything happened very quickly.

The horse suddenly burst into flames, firecrackers started exploding everywhere, and the flames shot high into the night sky. The heat became extremely strong almost immediately and the firecrackers were shooting in every direction.

Some people quickly stepped back, and a few even moved away completely because the fire and explosions became so intense.

It was chaotic, loud, and absolutely spectacular.

At the end there were even fireworks, but I was shielding my eyes from the flying pieces so I didn’t really look up at the sky. Luckily we caught it on video though.

About Yuanshan Temple

Yuanshan Temple (圓山宮) in Lucao Township is dedicated to Wang Sun Da Shi Gong (王孫大使公), a local deity believed to protect the community and drive away evil spirits and disease.

Yuanshan Temple has been an important religious center for local residents for many generations. Like many Taiwanese temples, it’s not only a place for worship but also a place where the community gathers for traditional events and festivals.

The Fire Horse ritual is one of the temple’s most unique traditions. It originally came from customs that were once common in the coastal areas of Fujian, where people believed that burning a “fire horse” would allow divine soldiers to carry away epidemics and disasters.

For a long time the ceremony had disappeared, but in 2021 the temple revived the Fire Horse Festival, bringing the tradition back to Lucao after almost sixty years. Since then the event has grown bigger every year and more people come to see this spectacular ritual.

Another part of the ceremony that caught my attention was the spirit medium ritual.

In many Taiwanese temples there are people called “tang-ki” (乩童) or spirit mediums. During certain ceremonies they believe the temple deity temporarily enters their body so they can communicate the god’s will and perform rituals.

Little Sum Up

Even though the scene looks dramatic, the meaning behind it is actually very positive.

People believe the burning fire horse takes away bad luck, illness, and misfortune, leaving the community with a fresh start and blessings for the new year.

Watching the flames, hearing the constant explosions of firecrackers, and feeling the heat from the fire made the whole experience feel very powerful.

Taiwan has many famous fire festivals like the Beehive Fireworks in Yanshui or the Bombing Dragon in Miaoli, but the Fire Horse Festival in Lucao feels very different.

It doesn’t feel like a performance for tourists. It feels like a real local belief that people still take seriously.

For me, it was definitely one of the most memorable and surprising cultural events I’ve seen in Taiwan.

And also one of the hottest ones — literally.

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From Huwei to Chiayi: Temples, Imperial Art, Lanterns, and Fire

Travel Date: 2026/03/07

One of the things I love about living in Taiwan is how easy it is to turn a normal day into a small adventure. This trip started in Huwei, a town in Yunlin County known for its old sugar factory history. From there, we decided to explore a few famous spots in Chiayi County before heading to the lantern festival in the evening.

First Stop: Xingang Fengtian Temple (新港奉天宮)

Our first destination was Xingang Fengtian Temple, one of the most important temples dedicated to Mazu, the goddess who protects sailors and travelers.

The temple has a long history dating back more than three centuries and is a key stop during the famous Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, one of the largest religious events in Taiwan. During this pilgrimage, hundreds of thousands of people walk over 300 kilometers across Taiwan to escort the goddess’s statue between temples.

Even outside festival time, the temple is always busy. Visitors come to pray, burn incense, and admire the intricate carvings and colorful decorations that cover the temple’s roof and halls. The atmosphere is calm but lively, with the smell of incense and the sound of prayers filling the air.

National Palace Museum Southern Branch (國立故宮博物院南部院區)

After visiting the temple, we continued our journey by scooter toward the National Palace Museum Southern Branch.

The weather was perfect: bright sunshine with a cool wind, which made the ride comfortable and refreshing. Taiwan’s countryside can feel very peaceful compared to the busy cities, and riding a scooter through these areas is one of the best ways to experience it.

The National Palace Museum Southern Branch is a modern museum focusing on Asian art and culture. It is part of the larger National Palace Museum system, which preserves the vast imperial art collection originally from China’s Forbidden City.

One of the most famous treasures associated with this collection is the legendary Jadeite Cabbage. This small jade sculpture shaped like a Chinese cabbage is one of the most recognizable artworks connected to Taiwan’s museum collections. The detailed carving even includes tiny insects hidden among the leaves, symbolizing fertility and abundance.

Although the original cabbage is usually displayed at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the Southern Branch still hosts impressive exhibitions and offers a great opportunity to explore Asian art without traveling to the capital.

Another nice detail: entry was free after 3 PM during the Lantern Festival, which made it a great stop while traveling nearby in the afternoon.

The museum building itself is also worth visiting. Its modern architecture, open spaces, and surrounding lakes give it a very different atmosphere compared to traditional museums.

Lantern Festival in Chiayi

As evening approached, we headed to the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi.

Every year this festival transforms the host city into a giant outdoor exhibition of glowing lanterns, artistic light installations, and performances. The displays range from traditional lantern designs to huge modern light sculptures.

The venues are conveniently located near Chiayi Station, making it easy to arrive by high-speed rail. From the station, free shuttle buses run regularly to the festival areas.

The crowds were huge, but the atmosphere was festive and full of energy. Families walked through the illuminated streets, taking photos and enjoying night market food around the festival area.

The Taiwan Lantern Festival is the highlight of Lantern Festival celebrations across Taiwan every year. In 2026, the event takes place in Chiayi County from March 3 to March 15, marking the third time the festival has been hosted in Taibao City, after previous editions in 2007 and 2018.

Interestingly, the very first Lantern Festival I ever visited in Taiwan was also in Chiayi. When I first came to Taiwan years ago, Chiayi happened to be the host city that year as well. Coming back again in 2026 felt a bit nostalgic—it was like returning to the place where I first experienced the incredible scale of Taiwan’s lantern celebrations.

Like every year, the Taiwan Lantern Festival combines traditional lantern craftsmanship with modern technology. Visitors can admire classic lantern displays inspired by Taiwanese culture alongside large-scale light installations, interactive exhibits, and high-tech lighting shows that transform the entire area into a glowing nighttime spectacle.

The Fire Horse Festival

That night we also saw the dramatic Lucao Fire Horse Festival.

This intense local ritual involves a large horse structure that is set on fire and launched with fireworks, creating a spectacular and slightly chaotic show of sparks and flames. It’s loud, bright, and definitely one of the most unique festivals I’ve experienced in Taiwan.

But that experience deserves its own full story—and its own video. So I’ll save that part for the next post.

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WELE Cherry Blossom Park - Visiting Houli, Taichung

Travel Date: 2026/02/16

Long weekend, lots of time… which usually means lots of little trips. And somehow, at least at the beginning of this holiday, it happened that two days in a row we were chasing cherry blossoms.

This time we went to Houli in Taichung.

First, we stopped by the famous Tai’an Police Station, which is well known for cherry blossom viewing. But when we visited, only a few trees were blooming. It still looked nice, but definitely not the full pink explosion you see online.

So we continued to Zhongke Weili Sakura Park — and the situation there was completely different.

Near the entrance, the trees weren’t blooming very generously yet. I was a little worried at first. But as we walked deeper into the park, there were more and more blossoms. White, soft pink, bright pink, even darker double-layered ones. There were also magnolia trees in bloom, which made everything feel even more elegant.

The park isn’t very large, but it’s really pleasant for a walk, especially if you live nearby or want an easy half-day trip.

One of the nicest things about this place is that it’s completely free. The park is maintained by Weili Machinery, a private company, and they open this several-thousand-square-meter green space to the public at no cost. In Taiwan, where many flower attractions charge entrance fees, that feels especially generous.

It’s located close to the Houli Science Park and not far from the Houli interchange, so it’s very easy to reach. The paths inside are wide and flat — stroller-friendly and wheelchair-friendly — which makes it comfortable for families and elderly visitors.

The park was carefully designed with different varieties of cherry blossoms so the blooming season lasts longer, usually from early February to mid-March. 

Because they bloom at slightly different times, you still have a good chance of seeing something beautiful even if you don’t hit the exact peak week.

If you plan to visit, early morning is probably the most peaceful time. Sunset is also beautiful, with warm golden light on the petals. And because blooming times can shift slightly every year due to weather, it’s always a good idea to check recent photos online before going.

After visiting, you can easily turn it into a small day trip — Tai’an Railway Cultural Park, Yue Mei Sugar Factory for traditional popsicles, Lihpao Outlet Mall, or even cycling on the Houfeng Bikeway are all nearby.

Overall, it’s not a huge place, but it’s well maintained, easy to access, free, and very family-friendly.

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Shiyun Temple Trip - Shitan, Miaoli Cherry Blossoms

Travel Date: 2026/02/15

The weather was absolutely beautiful, and with a week-long holiday just beginning, it would have been a pity to stay at home. The sunshine was warm but gentle, the sky was clear, and the air felt fresh — the kind of day that almost invites you to go somewhere.

We decided to visit a temple in Shitan, about an hour’s drive from our home. The journey itself was already a treat. Along the way, we started spotting cherry blossoms here and there — small hints of pink scattered across the hills. But once we arrived, we were amazed. There were so many trees in full bloom, covered in soft pink flowers. It felt like stepping into a spring painting.

The temple, surrounded by mountains and blossoms, looked especially peaceful that day. With the flowers gently swaying in the breeze and the bright blue sky above, it was the perfect way to begin our holiday.

Xieyun Temple (協雲宮)

Xieyun Temple is located on the Bajiaodong mountain range at the border of Shitan and Gongguan. Built along the mountainside at an elevation of over 700 meters, it's a temple that integrates both Buddhist and Taoist traditions. The main deity worshipped here is Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion).

According to local elders, legend says that water once naturally flowed from a rock wall at this site, gradually forming a pond. One day, an elderly woman passed by. Seeing the clear water, she drank from it to quench her thirst. She was also suffering from painful sores on her feet, so she washed them in the water. That night, Guanyin appeared to her in a dream. When she woke the next morning, her sores had miraculously healed. News of this miracle quickly spread, and believers flocked to the site. People then decided to build a small thatched shrine called “Guanyin Pavilion,” which later became the predecessor of Xieyun Temple. This occurred in the second year of the Guangxu reign (1876).

Xieyun Temple sits beside Bajiaodong Mountain, which is one of the scenic spots of the “Three-Tiered Green Terraces” (San Tai Die Cui), one of the Eight Scenic Views of Miaoli. Its location is elevated and offers magnificent scenery. Under a clear blue sky, one can gaze far into the distance: layers of green mountains and competing peaks stretch across the horizon. The twelve townships of Miaoli can be seen at a glance. In autumn and winter, clouds and mist swirl around the mountains, creating an atmosphere described as, “Deep in the clouds, one knows not where — only within these mountains.” Poets, scholars, and those concerned with the fate of their country all find special inspiration here.

The temple grounds are planted with azaleas, cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, poinsettias, and other seasonal flowers. In every season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter — visitors can come up the mountain to admire different kinds of blooms, each offering its own beautiful scenery.

A road beside the temple allows both people and vehicles to reach another temple, Dayuanjue Temple. One downhill road toward Gongguan leads to Guanyin Temple, while another road toward Shitan leads into Shitan Township.

It's also said that about a hundred years ago, a woman passing by the present site of Xieyun Temple suddenly suffered severe abdominal pain. In desperation, she drank from a clear spring in a nearby hollow. Unexpectedly, the pain stopped. Later, she returned with offerings to burn incense and give thanks for the healing water. The story spread from one person to another, and eventually local elders suggested building a temple together. It was completed in the eighth year of the Guangxu reign (1882), and Xieyun Temple became a place where people worshipped and collected sacred spring water.

A man named Peng Shengbo later moved the deities worshipped in his home — the Three Benevolent Lords and Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), the Holy King who opened up Taiwan — to this temple. After Taiwan’s retrocession, the temple underwent two renovations and now stands in impressive form.

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