“Get in the Sedan Chair!” “Let’s Go!” Yehliu Cultural Festival of Jumping into the Sea with Gods

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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 Fire
The 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 Sea
The 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 Catches
After 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.

A Culinary Journey to the Night Markets! From Morning until Night, eating Chinese and Western Food Makes You Happy

-->Sometimes, delicacies link good travel memories! The traffic becomes more convenient after the operation of the Circular Line has started. Following the steps of gourmands, it's suggested to take a night market journey that satisfies your body and mind. The journey starts from the "World Soy Milk King;" the burnt-flavored soymilk cooked by using a traditional method goes well with hot egg pancake rolls, Shaobing (a layered flatbread), radish cake, etc., abundant Chinese-style breakfast starts a wonderful day. The so-called No.4 Park, which is known as the "823 Memorial Park" is the urban oasis; people can stroll or walk a dog leisurely; when feeling tired, people can read a book at the National Taiwan Library; at noon, the shop is filled with a warm aroma from the so-called "Dlcservice Cafe", which is located in the small lane near the Jingan MRT Station, offers mellow and aromatic coffee and Japanese-style meal boxes. In the evening, people can take a walk in the "Banqiao Station." On the year-end, the station is transformed into a dazzling New Taipei City Christmas Wonderland as there are not only extremely fantastic lighting decorations available for taking good photos but also a marketplace and series of activities. It's a must-go destination! At last, the journey comes to a perfect ending at the Nanya Night Market, which is the food paradise in Banqiao; the snacks, such as sesame oil chicken, stinky tofu, stewed pork ribs with medicinal herbs, etc. are available from the start until the end of the night market, super satisfying and enjoyable!World Soy Milk King--> Yonghe-made soy milk is known throughout the isles of Taiwan, with World Soy Milk King has the leading business plan and the mostfame.World Soy Milk King is open 24 hours a day, offering Chinese-style breakfast throughout Taiwan with a twist. It can be said that World Soy Milk King is responsible for mobilizing Taiwanese to get three square meals a day, and convincing Taiwanese that soy milk and oil sticks is not just for breakfast. In fact, breakfast has been expanded to mean north-China noodles, and includes Taiwanese-style and Cantonese favorites, making World Soy Milk a sanctuary of good eats.info.Location and Address: No. 284 Yonghe Road Section 2, Yonghe City, Taipei CountyContact Phone Number: 886-2-89270000Opening Hours: 24HThe traffic information from the Dingxi MRT Station to the World Soy Milk KingGet off at the Dingxi MRT Station. Go along Yonghe Road, and it takes about a 3-minute walk.823 Memorial Park--> Formerly called No. 4 Park, the name of this expanse of green changed to 823 Memorial Park after a monument was erected in it to commemorate victory in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, which had begun with the 823 Artillery Bombardment. The park is located at the Zhonghe-Yonghe border and at 10 hectares is the largest park in either district. The National Taiwan Library is here, as is a spacious green area and forest path, plus basketball courts and playgrounds. Local residents come to exercise, whether it is walking or taking their dog for a stroll, and to enjoy a rare expanse of green in this dense urban zone.info.Location and Address: No. 20, Lane 347, Anle Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 235 (Between Zhongan Street and Anping Road)Contact Phone Number: 886-2-22482688Opening Hours: Open all year roundThe traffic information from the World Soy Milk King to the 823 Memorial ParkTake the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at the Yong'an Market MRT Station. It takes about a 3-minute walk to reach the destination.823 Memorial Park's informationThe Dlcservice Cafe--> Located close to the Jing'an MRT Station, the "Dlcservice cafe," which has a country-style decoration at the gate. Once you open the wooden door, the interior decoration gives people a very relaxing feel. There're small objects hanging on the walls, such as postcards and leather accessories. Exactly, it sells Japanese groceries. The decoration setting and the menu are usually changed every half a year. Every place in the shop has its signature, people can feel the owner's considerate design in the different corners. The shop provides coffee and food, including pancakes, homemade yogurt, light meals and lunch boxes. You don't see anything wrong, the Japanese-style meal boxes are the same as the ones in the Japanese dramas. The food arrangement makes people want to take more photos, and the abundant contents taste very delicious! Having lunch or an afternoon tea here is a warm and comfortable enjoyment as if you're at home.Photos are provided by the Dlcservice Cafeinfo.Location and Address: No.6, Ln. 167, Jing'an Road, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-89433173Opening Hours: 12:00~21:00 (It closes on Mondays)The traffic information from the 823 Memorial Park to the Dlcservice CafeTake the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at the Jing'an MRT Station. It takes about a 3-minute walk.The Dlcservice Cafe's informationBanqiao Railway Station--> The peripheral area of Banqiao Station is a new shopping area in the city and its most prosperous business quarter. In addition to Taiwan Railway Station, Taipei Metro Station and bus stops, Banqiao Station has other public facilities, including a big shopping mall, food court and library, which have turned the area into a new commercial center. New Taipei City Hall is five minutes away on foot. Visitors can participate in events held on the big square of the station and enjoy the view in the 32-floor observatory free of charge. These features make Banqiao comparable with first-class cities in the world.info.Location and Address: No.7, Sec. 2, Xianmin Blvd., Banqiao Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 220Contact Phone Number: 886-2-89691036Opening Hours: 06：00~24：00The traffic information from the Dlcservice Cafe to the Banqiao Railway StationAt the Jing'an MRT Station, transfer to the Circular Line and get off at Banqiao Station, which is the destination.Banqiao Railway Station's informationNanya Night Market--> As the street food paradise of Banqiao people, “Nanya Night Market” is located on “Nanya East Road”. Besides street foods, there are many fashion vendors and game stands. From the beginning to the end of the night market, there are many famous food stores you should never miss. From steamed pork buns (xiaolongbao), sesame oil chicken soup, stinky tofu, and small sausage in large sausage, after eating across the market, you will be full to the throat.info.Location and Address: Nanya E. Rd., Banqiao Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 220Contact Phone Number: 886-2-29686911Opening Hours: 17:00-02:00The traffic information from the Banqiao Station to the Nanya Night MarketStart from the Banqiao Station, walk along the Xianmin Boulevard. It takes about a 20-minute walk to reach the destination; or, take the MRT and get off at the Fuzhong Station, then, it takes about an 8-minute walk.Nanya Night Market's informationReturn Trip Traffic InformationWalk to the Fuzhong MRT Station, and transfer to either MRT Line that reaches your home.Circular Line MAP

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