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

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

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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2026 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival – Taichung MOOMIN ON

Travel Date: 2026/02/12

This year’s 2026 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival is something really special. From February 15 to March 3 (closed on Lunar New Year’s Eve), Taichung is turning into a glowing fairytale at Taichung Central Park — and yes… it’s all about MOOMIN. 

The theme is “MOOMIN ON” (a cute play on “Moving On”), and since 2026 is the Year of the Horse, everything feels fresh, hopeful, and full of courage. I honestly love when Taiwan mixes international characters with traditional festivals — it always feels so creative and a little magical.

Sadly, we came during the day, which allowed us to take undisturbed pictures, but we missed the lights. I'm sure it would have looked amazing!

The park is huge, so it takes quite a while to walk around. Since it wasn’t busy at the time, we rented Ubikes to get around and still spent a little over an hour there. So be prepared for a long walk if you come when the lights are on.

I have to say — every year Taiwan surprises me with how much effort goes into lantern festivals. It’s not just lights. It’s storytelling, technology, performance, culture, and now even Nordic fairytale vibes all in one place.

If you’re in central Taiwan during this time, it’s definitely worth an evening walk. And if you love Moomin… even more. 

Main Light Zone – Moomins Valley Under the Aurora

This is the highlight. And when I say highlight… I mean a 60-meter fairy-tale scene.

The Moomins are not just standing there like normal lantern displays. They actually move on a circular rail with mechanical technology, synchronized with music and lights. There are aerial silk dancers floating like butterflies, laser projections in the smoke creating aurora effects, and even bubbles.

It’s like stepping into Scandinavia for a few minutes — but in central Taiwan.

Show time: Every 30 minutes from 18:00–22:00 (last show 21:30)

Opening day starts at 19:00.

Riverside Zone – Riverside Adventure

A giant Moomin floats along the riverbank under the “northern lights.” The mist, reflections, and lighting make it feel dreamy and calm.

It’s simple but emotional — like a reminder that even when you’re moving forward in life, you’re not alone.

Forest Zone – Camping Time

This area feels cozy. Imagine lakeside camping, starry sky lights, Scandinavian warmth.

If you need a slower moment during the festival chaos, this is probably the place to breathe and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Adventure Zone – Insects Awakening World

Spring energy everywhere! Big dramatic sounds, immersive forest vibes, ancient-beast style installations.

More intense, more dynamic — especially fun for kids who love adventure themes.

Play Zone – Children’s Fun Valley

Colorful. Bright. Very photogenic.

From candy houses to flying elephants and giant dream trees, it’s made for families. Honestly, Taiwanese lantern festivals are so child-friendly. Even adults end up taking more photos than the kids.

Blessing Zone – Happy Wishing Village

This zone connects different temples and regional cultures in Taichung through lantern art. It focuses on harmony, coexistence, and local faith traditions.

Taiwanese festivals always beautifully mix religion, culture, and art — something I’ve grown to really appreciate living here.

Ecological Zone – Animal Dream World

This section highlights animal protection and environmental sustainability. Cute animal light installations but with a message — cities and animals can coexist with love.

The Moomin Little Lantern

And yes… there is a Moomin little lantern this year.

It even includes a “bicycle” element (iron horse) to reflect Taichung’s cycling culture.

Distribution starts at 4:30 PM daily (queue opens at 4 PM).

3000 on weekdays, 4000 on holidays. One per person.

If you want one, go early. Taiwanese aunties are fast. 😆

Address: 台中市西屯區中清路中央公園

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