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.

As night falls, light and shadow events across New Taipei take turns lighting up the city. The Christmasland lights, Pingxi sky lanterns, Jiufen red lanterns, North Coast fire dance, and Bitan water show transform the metropolitan area, mountain towns, and waterfront into stages of light and shadow, making New Taipei's nights incredibly dazzling and boosting nighttime vitality and economy. Christmasland In New Taipei CityChristmasland In The New Taipei, held since 2011, is a winter celebration in Banqiao District. Every year in mid-November, the main light is lit in the New Taipei City Plaza, illuminating the damp winter nights and announcing the lively start of the month-and-a-half-long Christmasland. The Christmasland light zones cover the seven overpasses and four major pedestrian walkways in the Xinban Special District, the square in front of Banqiao Station, Wanping Park, and extend to Fuzhong Square. 2025 Christmasland In New Taipei City grandly opened on November 14th with the theme "Circus Carnival," collaborating with LINE FRIENDS to create a fantastic spectacle of light. In addition to the light projection show on the City Hall building every evening, there are also exciting activities taking place every weekend during the Christmasland period, such as the German Christmas Market, Christmas Relay, The Greatest Show, and Band Carnival. Put on your Christmas outfit, take public transportation to Banqiao, and spend Christmas time under the romantic sea of lights with family and friends.Pingxi Sky Lantern FestivalOn the Lantern Festival night, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month every year, hundreds of sky lanterns carrying wishes illuminate the night sky of Pingxi. The Pingxi Sky Lantern, transforming from a signal to report safety in the past, has become the most iconic Lantern Festival event in Northern Taiwan, ranking alongside the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks in Tainan as "Northern Lanterns, Southern Fireworks." Pingxi is surrounded by mountains and has a humid climate, making it the only area in Taiwan where sky lanterns can be legally released, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. Since its inception in 1999, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival has repeatedly won international design awards, becoming New Taipei's most famous festival brand, and illuminating the wishes and dreams of countless people.Jiufen Red Lantern FestivalJiufen, which once prospered due to gold mining, is now renowned internationally for its unique mountain town landscape and nostalgic atmosphere. The Jiufen Red Lantern Festival began in 2023, combining the history and humanities of the mountain town, and lighting up the mountain town together with its sister town – Kotohira in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. The Red Lantern Festival sets up multiple lighting installations at Jiufen landmarks such as Shengping Theater, A-Mei Tea House, and Wufankeng. Change into a Qipao, pick up a lantern, ascend the stone steps, wander through the Jiufen mountain town under the red lanterns, and immerse yourself in the nostalgic and romantic atmosphere. ​​​​​​North Coast Light Festival / Jinshan Sulfuric Fire FishingTaking the Route 2 Taiwan in the height of summer means a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Spend the day enjoying activities, and come to Zhongjiao Bay in Jinshan at night to feel the charm of the North Coast Fashion and Fire! The event takes the surfing sanctuary - Zhongjiao Bay coast - as its stage, combining fire dance and artistic installations to create a perfect visual feast. Stroll through the marine market, savor food truck cuisine, support young farmer products, and spend a wonderful summer night accompanied by the sound of the waves."Boom!" The dark sea surface is instantly lit up. The 'Fire Chief' standing at the bow of the boat lights the torch, and the phototactic fish leap out of the water, fluttering like sea fireflies. Jinshan Sulfuric Fire Fishing, also known as 'scoop boat' fishing, is a century-old traditional fishing method in Jinshan, now transformed into a tourist experience. From May to September every year, visitors can take a yacht from Huanggang to watch the marvelous spectacle of Sulfuric Fire Fishing up close, tour Jinshan Cape and Twin Candlestick Islets along the way, and feel the unique mysterious charm of the night sea.Bitan Water Show and Landscape Installation Exhibition / Hemeishan FirefliesBitan's expansive water area is the best stage for water shows and waterfront landscape installations. The annual Water Show and Landscape Installation Exhibition attract large crowds. The water shows and the light and shadow of the Bitan Suspension Bridge reflect each other beautifully, and the fireworks show illuminates the night sky of Xindian.The 2025 Bitan Landscape Installation Exhibitionwill be displayed from November 1st to December 28th. Japan's popular IP "KAPIBARASAN" and its friends gather at Bitan. Their plump and adorable figures are transformed into large landscape installations, bringing a chill vibe to the Bitan waterfront.Every April and May, Bitan welcomes the firefly breeding season. Walk across the Bitan Suspension Bridge, follow the mountain path on the left side into Hemeishan, where dots of fireflies twinkle on the ground like stars, a natural wonder exclusive to spring.