Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage Traffic Management Guide: Shuttle bus locations and times announced
The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage from Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, to Beigang Chaotian Temple will begin on the night of April 12, lasting 8 days and 7 nights, with 450,000 registered participants. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced traffic management plans, anticipating peak demand on April 12 and 20 (Miaoli side) and April 16 (Yunlin side). Measures include shuttle buses from HSR Miaoli Station and TRA Chiayi Station to the temples, increased TRA services, and electronic ticketing. The Central Weather Administration will also provide weather forecasts and real-time observations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 20:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 21:00 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:29 (166h 28m after Collected)
The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage, a walking journey from Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, to Beigang Chaotian Temple, will commence on the night of April 12, lasting 8 days and 7 nights, with the number of registered participants reaching 450,000. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) issued a press release stating that, based on the pilgrimage schedule, traffic demand peaks are expected on April 12 and 20 for the Miaoli side (Baishatun), and on April 16 for the Yunlin side (Beigang).
The MOTC stated that this year, a traffic management guide social media graphic was specially produced to attract active reposting by the social media communities of Gongtian Temple and Chaotian Temple, encouraging pilgrims to utilize public transportation to alleviate local traffic pressure and ensure a smoother pilgrimage journey.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-Kai also shared the traffic management guide on social media, including shuttle buses available from HSR Miaoli Station and TRA Chiayi Station directly to the vicinity of Gongtian Temple and Chaotian Temple. TRA services have been increased to an all-time high, and electronic ticketing equipment has been simultaneously added.
In addition, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Yen-Po conducted an on-site inspection today and requested all transportation units to actively plan for crowd and vehicle flow, traffic control, and related diversion measures, and to prepare for rain. They are to fully increase services to assist with transportation and activate a joint transportation mechanism to ensure that pilgrims are safely and smoothly transported to Mazu's side to participate in the pilgrimage.
The MOTC stated that the transportation team has formulated an overall transportation strategy, continuing to plan with TRA as the main mode, highways as supplementary, and HSR as collaborative. TRA will also establish forward command posts on April 12, 19, and 20.
The MOTC pointed out that TRA will add 160 local (express) train services on April 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20; and 25 Chu-Kuang Express services will make additional stops at Baishatun Station on April 11, 12, 18, 19, and 20, with 215 additional carriages, increasing coastal line capacity by 108.7% compared to weekdays.
In addition to strengthening transportation, TRA has also planned support measures. Starting from April 9, tickets for April 12 (departure day) will be available for purchase. Pilgrims who purchase round-trip tickets (not limited to same-day round-trip) for "Dajia or Baishatun" from designated stations after April 12 will receive limited edition support items on the spot, while supplies last.
The MOTC stated that two direct highway bus shuttle routes have been planned, including services operating between HSR Miaoli Station and Baishatun Gongtian Temple on April 12 and 20, with a frequency of approximately every 10 minutes; and services operating between Beigang Chaotian Temple and TRA Chiayi Station on April 16, with a frequency of approximately every 10 to 15 minutes. The fare for both routes is NT$50 for adults (NT$25 for half-fare), and additional vehicles will be dispatched flexibly based on demand to increase capacity, departing when full.
View this post on Instagram Ministry of Transportation and Communications (@motc.gov.tw) shared a post
To manage the pilgrimage crowds, the MOTC pointed out that HSR has added 10 services (4 southbound, 6 northbound). During important periods, from 7 AM to 8 AM and 3 PM to 10 PM on April 12, and from 7 AM to 9 AM on April 20, there will be 2 trains per hour in both directions stopping at HSR Miaoli Station. Additionally, from 8 AM to 9 PM on April 16 and from 8 AM to 11 PM on April 17, there will be 2 trains per hour in both directions stopping at HSR Chiayi Station, with additional temporary services to be added based on booking status and on-site crowds.
The MOTC stated that the Central Weather Administration has also joined the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage service this year, providing live weather forecasts and reminders for the pilgrimage period at Gongtian Temple on the afternoon of April 12. For the first time, they will carry mobile weather instruments to accompany the Mazu pilgrimage, providing real-time observations of weather dynamics for the moving procession. In addition, they have also planned to provide a one-week weather forecast for "known stopping points during the pilgrimage" on the Baishatun pilgrimage activity website. (Edited by Chang Ya-Ching) 1150408
The MOTC stated that this year, a traffic management guide social media graphic was specially produced to attract active reposting by the social media communities of Gongtian Temple and Chaotian Temple, encouraging pilgrims to utilize public transportation to alleviate local traffic pressure and ensure a smoother pilgrimage journey.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-Kai also shared the traffic management guide on social media, including shuttle buses available from HSR Miaoli Station and TRA Chiayi Station directly to the vicinity of Gongtian Temple and Chaotian Temple. TRA services have been increased to an all-time high, and electronic ticketing equipment has been simultaneously added.
In addition, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Yen-Po conducted an on-site inspection today and requested all transportation units to actively plan for crowd and vehicle flow, traffic control, and related diversion measures, and to prepare for rain. They are to fully increase services to assist with transportation and activate a joint transportation mechanism to ensure that pilgrims are safely and smoothly transported to Mazu's side to participate in the pilgrimage.
The MOTC stated that the transportation team has formulated an overall transportation strategy, continuing to plan with TRA as the main mode, highways as supplementary, and HSR as collaborative. TRA will also establish forward command posts on April 12, 19, and 20.
The MOTC pointed out that TRA will add 160 local (express) train services on April 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20; and 25 Chu-Kuang Express services will make additional stops at Baishatun Station on April 11, 12, 18, 19, and 20, with 215 additional carriages, increasing coastal line capacity by 108.7% compared to weekdays.
In addition to strengthening transportation, TRA has also planned support measures. Starting from April 9, tickets for April 12 (departure day) will be available for purchase. Pilgrims who purchase round-trip tickets (not limited to same-day round-trip) for "Dajia or Baishatun" from designated stations after April 12 will receive limited edition support items on the spot, while supplies last.
The MOTC stated that two direct highway bus shuttle routes have been planned, including services operating between HSR Miaoli Station and Baishatun Gongtian Temple on April 12 and 20, with a frequency of approximately every 10 minutes; and services operating between Beigang Chaotian Temple and TRA Chiayi Station on April 16, with a frequency of approximately every 10 to 15 minutes. The fare for both routes is NT$50 for adults (NT$25 for half-fare), and additional vehicles will be dispatched flexibly based on demand to increase capacity, departing when full.
View this post on Instagram Ministry of Transportation and Communications (@motc.gov.tw) shared a post
To manage the pilgrimage crowds, the MOTC pointed out that HSR has added 10 services (4 southbound, 6 northbound). During important periods, from 7 AM to 8 AM and 3 PM to 10 PM on April 12, and from 7 AM to 9 AM on April 20, there will be 2 trains per hour in both directions stopping at HSR Miaoli Station. Additionally, from 8 AM to 9 PM on April 16 and from 8 AM to 11 PM on April 17, there will be 2 trains per hour in both directions stopping at HSR Chiayi Station, with additional temporary services to be added based on booking status and on-site crowds.
The MOTC stated that the Central Weather Administration has also joined the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage service this year, providing live weather forecasts and reminders for the pilgrimage period at Gongtian Temple on the afternoon of April 12. For the first time, they will carry mobile weather instruments to accompany the Mazu pilgrimage, providing real-time observations of weather dynamics for the moving procession. In addition, they have also planned to provide a one-week weather forecast for "known stopping points during the pilgrimage" on the Baishatun pilgrimage activity website. (Edited by Chang Ya-Ching) 1150408
FAQ
How many people have registered for the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage?
450,000 people have registered for the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage.
What is the fare for the direct highway bus shuttle routes?
The fare is NT$50 for adults and NT$25 for half-fare.