Traditions of Lukang
A town on the west coast of Taiwan known for temples, handicrafts and the Mazu pilgrimage.
Lukang was once one of the busiest ports of Taiwan and is now a quiet town full of old temples, narrow lanes and craft shops. The Mazu goddess of the sea is venerated at several shrines here. Craftsmen still make lanterns, wood carvings, tin objects and incense in the old streets.
Mazu and the crafts
Each spring, the Mazu pilgrimage sees processions of devotees follow a sedan chair carrying the goddess on foot over several days across the island. The Tianhou Temple in Lukang has an old golden image of Mazu. Lantern makers, wood carvers and opera costume makers fill the streets near the temple.
At the table
Local snacks include shrimp cakes, Lukang cookies and pastries, and the town's sweet pastries, such as phoenix-eye cakes. Oyster dishes and fish ball soups are common. Tea sellers pour a gongfu cup for visitors in older shops, and offerings of tea and fruit are made at temples.
Signature traditions of Lukang
Also part of it, and being written: Lantern Festival (The fifteenth day of the lunar new year.).
A trail idea for Lukang
- Lukang Tianhou Temple Visit at dawn and see the golden Mazu.
- Pitou Street A narrow lane of brick shophouses.
- Lukang Folk Arts Museum A museum of crafts and daily life.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage: Mazubobee, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Mazu: Prince Roy, CC BY-SA 3.0, source