Activity / Time Period |
Description |
1. Lunar New Year
12/30-01/15 of lunar calendar
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There are many customs for Chinese New Year in Taiwan. Usually everyone returns home for New Year Eve dinner, and elders pass out red envelopes for good luck. Other activities include lite firecrackers, welcome God of Wealth, etc. |
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2. Lantern Festival
01/15 of lunar calendar
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So-called “Mini New Year”, besides eating rice dumplings and guessing Lantern riddles, there are many celebrations such as Tainan Yenshui Fireworks, etc. |
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3. Lantern Light Show
Begins on 01/15 of lunar calendar and last for a week
|
An extravaganza of lights, sounds and colors, every year lantern light shows attracted millions of visitors, most famous ones are in Taipei and Kaohsiung. |
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4. Tainan Yenshui Fireworks
Begins on 01/15 of lunar calendar and last for 3 days
|
Yenshui Fireworks Festival is an important cultural event, which re-enacts a nineteenth-century plague expulsion ritual, now an important festivity of the small town Yenshui. |
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5. Taipei Pingxi Sky Lanterns
Begins on Lantern Festival and last for a week
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Pingxi is in the mountains just outside Taipei. Originally people who lived in the mountains let off lanterns to communicate, nowadays it's for good luck. |
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6. Matzu Pilgrimage
March of lunar calendar
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To celebrate the birthday of Matzu, Godess of Sea, devotees goes on a pilgrimage of great celebration and feast. |
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7. Dragon Boat Festival
05/05 of lunar calendar
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An event to memorialize Chinese Poet Qu Yuan of the Warring States Period, today it is celebrated by eat bamboo-wrapped rice dumplings called zongzi and race dragon boats. |
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8. Hungry Ghost Festival
07/15 of lunar calendar
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July of lunar calendar is believed when gates of hell open, thus ceremonies such as offering prodigious tables of wine and meat to the underworld are held to eliminate disasters. |
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9. Moon Festival
08/15 of lunar calendar
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An occasion for family reunions, people get together during this harvest season to enjoy full moon and eat moon cakes. BBQ has gained popularity in recent years. |
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10. Buring King's Boat in Tankgang
September of lunar calendar
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A ship burning folk custom, the most famous is at Tangkang's temple in Pingtong of southern Taiwan held once every 3 years. |
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11. Aboriginal Festivals
Depending on each tribe
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There are 13 Taiwan aboriginal tribes often holding various festivities.
*Points for Attention:
1. Do not barge in without permission or invitation.
2. Inquire beforehand before joining worships and dances.
3. Do not make large noise or gestures during festivals.
4. Women are not allowed to enter ceremonies for ancestors.
5. Do not take photos without permission.
6. Do not enter the ceremony building for Dwarf Festival of Saisiat Tribe.
7. Do not get too close or touch festival boats during Flying Fish Season of the Yami Tribe.
8. Women cannot enter the Youth Hall of the Puyuma Tribe. |
