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.
