Photo Album》Chiayi High-altitude Swing Competition: A Century of Tradition
The Chiayi City High-altitude Swing Competition is a unique folk event with over a century of history, originating from prayers to ward off plague. It has evolved into a significant cultural highlight, attracting domestic and international participants.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 08:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 09:00 (1h 0m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 13:39 (292h 39m after Collected)
In earlier times, when plague ravaged Xialutou (now Guanglu Village, Chiayi City), people prayed to Xuan Tian Shang Di. The deity instructed them to erect swings and swing to pray for blessings, and the epidemic gradually subsided. Thus, the Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple in Xialutou began holding "swing competitions" to thank the gods, believing that swinging higher brings one closer to "heaven."
The competition takes place around the birthday of Xuan Tian Shang Di in the third lunar month. In the past, it was only held in leap years, as traditional beliefs held that imbalance between yin and yang during leap years could lead to natural disasters and man-made calamities, so the event was held to pray for peace. To maintain tradition, the swing frame is constructed according to ancient methods, with its orientation changing each year according to the prevailing year's astrological influences.
The swing frame is 12 meters high, equivalent to a four-story building, with the pedal 2 meters off the ground. The highest swing can reach 10 meters. Competitors test not only their physical strength and skills but also their courage in facing heights. Even in rainy weather, the competition proceeds as usual, with slippery bamboo poles and pedals adding to the challenge. Because the process is tense and exciting, each event attracts large crowds, with gasps of astonishment echoing from the spectators.
This activity has been registered as a folk cultural asset of Chiayi City. Since 2008, after the city government consulted with the deity via divination and received approval, it has been held annually. In 2013, it was renamed the "Chiayi City Swing Festival," expanding from a local belief into a city cultural highlight, attracting skilled competitors from all walks of life, and even numerous foreigners who participate, leaving unforgettable memories.
Want to see more photos of the high-altitude swing competition? Visit the Central News Agency Image Space now. 1150408
The competition takes place around the birthday of Xuan Tian Shang Di in the third lunar month. In the past, it was only held in leap years, as traditional beliefs held that imbalance between yin and yang during leap years could lead to natural disasters and man-made calamities, so the event was held to pray for peace. To maintain tradition, the swing frame is constructed according to ancient methods, with its orientation changing each year according to the prevailing year's astrological influences.
The swing frame is 12 meters high, equivalent to a four-story building, with the pedal 2 meters off the ground. The highest swing can reach 10 meters. Competitors test not only their physical strength and skills but also their courage in facing heights. Even in rainy weather, the competition proceeds as usual, with slippery bamboo poles and pedals adding to the challenge. Because the process is tense and exciting, each event attracts large crowds, with gasps of astonishment echoing from the spectators.
This activity has been registered as a folk cultural asset of Chiayi City. Since 2008, after the city government consulted with the deity via divination and received approval, it has been held annually. In 2013, it was renamed the "Chiayi City Swing Festival," expanding from a local belief into a city cultural highlight, attracting skilled competitors from all walks of life, and even numerous foreigners who participate, leaving unforgettable memories.
Want to see more photos of the high-altitude swing competition? Visit the Central News Agency Image Space now. 1150408