Matsu's Yellow Croaker Bus Joins Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage, Offering Rest for Pilgrims

The Lienchiang County Government's Department of Transportation and Tourism held a ceremony this morning at Fu'ao Port to launch the "Yellow Croaker Bus to Baishatun." Two Yellow Croaker Buses traveled via the ferry "New Taiwan-Matsu" and arrived in Miaoli after passing through Keelung. During the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, the buses will be parked at designated spots, allowing pilgrims to rest inside. Pilgrims also have a chance to win round-trip tickets to Matsu from Taipei or Kaohsiung, or premium class round-trip tickets on the "New Taiwan-Matsu" ferry.

The Department of Transportation and Tourism stated in a press release that Mazu is an important faith for the people of Matsu. The Yellow Croaker Bus's journey to Baishatun has received strong support from local gift shops, tourism industry associations, and shipping companies. Besides offering pilgrims a time to "fish" (relax) inside the bus, they can also have a chance to win prizes like round-trip airplane tickets to Matsu from Taipei or Kaohsiung, and premium class round-trip tickets on the "New Taiwan-Matsu" ferry.

Lienchiang County Deputy Magistrate Chen Guanren said that the Yellow Croaker Bus is not only a representative work of the Matsu International Art Island but also serves as public transportation for military personnel and civilians on a daily basis. By having the Yellow Croaker Bus participate in the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, Matsu can connect with pilgrims from all over Taiwan. When believers rest inside the bus, it's like reading a "moving story of Matsu."

The Department of Transportation and Tourism emphasized that Matsu is named after Mazu. They hope that after completing the 8-day, 7-night pilgrimage with Baishatun Mazu, pilgrims will also visit Matsu in the lunar September for the "Mazu Ascension Festival" or in April to June to witness the magical Blue Tears and explore Tieban Tianhou Temple, the only temple in Taiwan dedicated to a young Mazu statue, thus extending their Mazu faith journey.

The Yellow Croaker Bus is a work from the Matsu International Art Island, designed by cross-media artist Zou Jun-Sheng with the concept of a "time capsule." It transforms Matsu's representative fishery product, the "yellow croaker," and memories of the "preserved yellow croaker" from the military control period into visual art. There are a total of two buses: the green "male fish" bus operates in Nangan, and the red "female fish" bus runs on the Beigan route. (Editor: Li Xi-zhang) 1150408
Keywords: Life