New Taipei City Travel

One day in 1820, fishermen of Yehliu found a Fujian-style sailboat drifting alone on the open waters, so they boarded the sailboat to check, and found no one on it. However, they found a statue of Kai Zhang Sheng Wang and Chinese fir and limestone, building materials, in the cabin. After having a discussion, people resolved to welcome the god to their fishing village. They used building materials found on the boat to build a temple called Baoan Temple to bless fishermen in Yehliu a safe journey when they went fishing on the sea.Several decades later, a boat from Fujian struck a reef and sank. After the tragedy, Kai Zhang Sheng Wang entered the body of a spirit medium to indicate fishermen to offer sacrifices to pray for peace, not allowing the remains of victims to be brought to the fishing port. Kai Zhang Sheng Wang further indicated that He would go on an inspection tour around the port at Lantern Festival in person. Following the instructions of the God, young and strong residents in Yehliu carried the God’s sedan chair on January 15 of the lunar calendar, jumping into the cold sea water to expel ghosts and monsters at the port. This was the origin of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu.Come in Water and Go in FireThe tradition of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu has over one hundred years of history, and it is a unique activity at Lantern Festival at Taiwan’s Northern Coast. The tradition enjoys the fame with Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi and beehive fireworks in Yanshui as they are all intangible cultural heritage. The four rituals of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu include “going on an inspection tour with gods on the sea,” “bringing back a whole cabin of catches,” “jumping into the sea with gods,” and “stepping on the bonfire with gods to expel evils and adversities.” Participating followers have to jump into the water with a god’s sedan chair first, and run toward the bonfire after they go ashore. Therefore, we say “come in the water, and go in the fire.” It is the most distinctive cultural festival in Wanli District.Jumping into the sea with gods is an annual occasion in Yehliu. Residents and fishermen in Yehliu support the event by donating money and contributing their labor to plan it. It is an important activity that enables local people to work together as a team. The event of jumping into the sea with gods starts early in the morning, and followers and sacrificial service chiefs carry out the blessing ceremony successively in Baoan Temple. In front of the temple, you can see the spectacular performances of the lion dance of Yehliu Elementary School, beiguan music club, and god’s generals. It is difficult to take your eyes off the performances, and you can hear the sounds of camera shutters one after another as well. The temple workers carry the eight gods’ sedan chairs to the front of Baoan Temple. After they carefully place gods’ statues in the sedan chairs, they hang firecrackers on the sedan chairs. Strong and brave men carrying the sedan chairs move forward while firecrackers are being set off. For a moment, the sounds of firecrackers resound across the sky, going through the cloudy and rainy sky to the Heavenly Palace.Going on an Inspection Tour with Gods on SeaThe lead boat sets sail with people’s blessings, kicking off the event of going on an inspection tour with gods on the sea. Over ten fishing boats follow the lead boat in order and dash out Yehliu Fishing Port amid the loud noise of firecrackers. During the one hour of the inspection tour, all fishing boats circle around Yehliu Fishing Port three times to pray for plentiful catches and safety.Bringing back a Full Cabin of CatchesAfter an inspection tour on the sea, fishermen will open their cabin and crane up a full load of catches to the truck before they return to Baoan Temple. This means that fishermen will get a full load of catches on their each voyage this year. Next, the city mayor will host a charity auction for catches, where competitive bidding can be seen at the scene.Jumping into the Sea with Gods The highly anticipated event of “Jumping into the Sea with Gods” starts in front of Baoan Temple as people shout “get into the sedan chair” and “let’s go” loudly. Strong and brave men in Yehliu carry the eight gods’ sedan chairs for Kai Zhang Sheng Wang, Mazu, General Zhou Cang, the Lord of Land and so on, and they brave the cold and dash into the fishing port amid the loud cheers of people. The scene is exactly the same as the one when Kai Zhang Sheng Wang went on an inspection tour at the fishing port over one hundred years ago. The ceremony is held to expel ghosts and spirits, praying for favorable weather and safety.In recent years, the event has changed with the times: people are welcome to join the activity of jumping into the sea with gods, and a design competition is held. After gods’ sedan chairs arrive at the fishing port, 100 people are welcome to participate in the event of jumping into the sea. The year 2024 is the year of the dragon, so quite a few participants wear clothing with the style of the dragon to celebrate the year of the dragon and pray for safety in the coming year.Stepping on Bonfire with Gods to Expel Evils and Adversities After strong and brave men carrying gods’ sedan chairs jump into the port, they have to swim across Yehliu Port with the sedan chairs. After they come ashore, they are ready to step on the bonfire. When it is time, the shouts of “get into the sedan chair” and “let’s go” echo throughout Yehliu, and strong and brave men carry gods’ sedan chairs and step on the bonfire that has been sprinkled with salt and rice barefooted to purify calamities on their bodies. After doing this for three rounds, they complete the ritual of “coming in the water, and going in the fire.”Being led by the beiguan music club, gods make a pilgrimage procession around the fishing port to protect Yehliu. The cultural festival of jumping into the sea with gods originated from a mysterious unmanned boat drifting on the sea over one hundred years ago. After Kai Zhang Sheng Wang was brought ashore by local fishermen, He entered the body of a spirit medium to go on an inspection tour at the port to protect the safety of Yehliu Fishing Port. Residents in Yehliu, in return, pass down the tradition. The event of jumping into the sea with gods is not only a special activity at Lantern Festival, but also a shared memory of residents of different generations in Yehliu.

Hop aboard an open-top double-decker bus and take in Route 2 Taiwan from a higher vantage point. Departing from Nangang Station, the bus glides along the brilliant blue North Coast like a slow-moving cruise ship on land. Along the way, you will marvel at the geological wonders of Yehliu in Wanli, browse and shop along Jinshan Old Street, pause for afternoon tea at Fugui Cape in Shimen, strike the perfect shot at the Zhilan Park Ocean Viewing Platform in Sanzhi, and arrive in Tamsui at sunset to admire the striking new landmark, Danjiang Bridge. From start to finish, the flavors of the North Coast unfold alongside the scenery, making this a feast for both the eyes and the palate.The upper deck of the double-decker sightseeing bus features an open-top design, giving passengers an excellent view that takes in the sea and sky of the North Coast. On board, water-mist cooling systems and air-conditioned zones respond flexibly to changing weather, ensuring a comfortable ride. Your onboard guide has deep roots in the North Coast and is well versed in its local history, ecology, and cultural stories, from the story of the little crane at Qingshui Wetland to the traditional Sulfuric Fire Fishing technique and the rise to fame of Yehliu Queen's Head. With photographs accompanying each tale, passengers can enjoy the scenery while gaining a deeper appreciation of this land. Leaving Nangang Station, the bus threads through the Keelung River Valley and passes through Xizhi, where the urban scenery outside the window gradually gives way to open mountains and sea. The coastline shimmers on the right side, drawing gasps from passengers. Following the winding coastal road, the bus arrives at Yehliu, celebrated for its geological landscapes, and enters Yehliu Geopark to view world-class geological wonders up close.After exploring Yehliu Geopark, the route continues to the lively, bustling Jinshan Old Street. Alighting at Jinshan District Office, where three highways converge, you will have time to wander and shop in the largest town on the North Coast, picking up Jinshan's celebrated trio of local produce: sweet potato, taro, and water bamboo, along with the pork bun included in the tour.Passing by Qingshui Wetland, Black Kite raptors wheel overhead while Lotus flowers dot the water, turning the double-decker bus into a kind of migratory-bird train through a thriving ecosystem. The famous Jinshan Wave Road, viewed from the elevated height of the double-decker bus, reveals the rolling lines of the road in even more magnificent form.Hugging Tiaoshi Coast, the bus reaches Fugui Cape, the northernmost point of Taiwan's main island, where afternoon tea awaits at the Jinbaoli Station rest stop. Every sip and bite surprises: Shimen's famous Alibang black tea and a half-baked cheese tart filled with honey sweet potato. The kabayaki eel bento brings together the rich bounty of the North Coast, packing in eel, pork roll, sweet potato, neritic squid, and lotus seed for a complete taste of the coast in one box.As evening approaches, the bus heads to Sanzhi to capture the beautiful scenery of the Zhilan Park Ocean Viewing Platform. Arriving at Danjiang Bridge at sunset, you will have the chance to take a photo with this striking new landmark spanning the mouth of the Tamsui River. With golden light cascading over the water, a stroll along the Tamsui riverbank offers a captivating view where a world-class bridge meets the Tamsui sunset, a fitting end to a day on the North Coast.