Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage Begins, Ministry of Transportation Issues Limited Souvenirs, CWA Joins with Mobile Weather Station
The annual Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage has begun, with the Ministry of Transportation providing extensive support for pilgrims. Limited edition 'Brave Character Tickets' and soothing patches were distributed, promoting safety. The Central Weather Administration also deployed a mobile weather station to provide real-time weather updates for the record-breaking 460,000 participants.
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- 📰 Published: April 12, 2026 at 15:50
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The annual Baishatun Gongtian Temple Mazu pilgrimage from Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, to Beigang is set to begin its 8-day, 7-night religious journey after Mazu's sedan chair was prepared at 11:55 PM tonight. The Ministry of Transportation has integrated Taiwan Railways, High-Speed Rail, and highway buses to support transportation, and the Directorate General of Highways has set up a booth at the Taiwan Railways Baishatun Station, along the path to Gongtian Temple, to strengthen traffic safety promotion.
Vice Minister of Transportation Chen Yen-po inspected the transportation situation at Taiwan Railways Baishatun Station at noon, noting that over ten thousand people had already arrived at Baishatun by train since early morning. At the High-Speed Rail Miaoli Station, shuttle buses, originally scheduled to start service at noon, were activated earlier due to a large gathering of pilgrims in the morning. The Ministry of Transportation will do its best to serve the faithful in completing their pilgrimage.
Chen Yen-po also distributed limited edition commemorative items, the 'Brave Character Train Ticket' and 'Stop and Yield for Safety' soothing patches, at the Ministry of Transportation's booth, cheering on the long-distance pilgrims.
Chen Yen-po explained that the 'Brave Character Train Ticket' is from Yongkang to Baoan Station, printed with the date of Mazu's sedan chair departure on April 12, symbolizing Mazu's continuous companionship and protection for eternal peace and health. The 'Stop and Yield for Safety' soothing patch, in addition to providing relief for pilgrims' aches and pains during their walk, also aims to transform and implement the spirit of mutual support and yielding on the pilgrimage route into road traffic safety.
Furthermore, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) of the Ministry of Transportation has for the first time launched a 'mobile weather station' to accompany Mazu, providing real-time weather dynamics. Chen Yen-po jokingly summoned 'Weather Guy' on site, and CWA Director-General Lu Kuo-chen, carrying the weather station, explained that the current outdoor temperature was 29.5 degrees Celsius, but with humidity and other factors, the sensible temperature would reach 33.7 degrees. Pilgrims can access customized web pages for this pilgrimage to get weather forecasts and other information, especially noting that the weather will be sunny and hot for the coming week, so they should pay attention to sun protection, hydration, and heatstroke prevention.
This year, the number of registered pilgrims reached a record high of 463,588. Police estimated that by noon, 150,000 people had already poured into the Baishatun area, and the areas around Gongtian Temple and connecting roads were crowded with people. Some pilgrims had already been sent to the hospital by ambulance due to discomfort. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150412
Vice Minister of Transportation Chen Yen-po inspected the transportation situation at Taiwan Railways Baishatun Station at noon, noting that over ten thousand people had already arrived at Baishatun by train since early morning. At the High-Speed Rail Miaoli Station, shuttle buses, originally scheduled to start service at noon, were activated earlier due to a large gathering of pilgrims in the morning. The Ministry of Transportation will do its best to serve the faithful in completing their pilgrimage.
Chen Yen-po also distributed limited edition commemorative items, the 'Brave Character Train Ticket' and 'Stop and Yield for Safety' soothing patches, at the Ministry of Transportation's booth, cheering on the long-distance pilgrims.
Chen Yen-po explained that the 'Brave Character Train Ticket' is from Yongkang to Baoan Station, printed with the date of Mazu's sedan chair departure on April 12, symbolizing Mazu's continuous companionship and protection for eternal peace and health. The 'Stop and Yield for Safety' soothing patch, in addition to providing relief for pilgrims' aches and pains during their walk, also aims to transform and implement the spirit of mutual support and yielding on the pilgrimage route into road traffic safety.
Furthermore, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) of the Ministry of Transportation has for the first time launched a 'mobile weather station' to accompany Mazu, providing real-time weather dynamics. Chen Yen-po jokingly summoned 'Weather Guy' on site, and CWA Director-General Lu Kuo-chen, carrying the weather station, explained that the current outdoor temperature was 29.5 degrees Celsius, but with humidity and other factors, the sensible temperature would reach 33.7 degrees. Pilgrims can access customized web pages for this pilgrimage to get weather forecasts and other information, especially noting that the weather will be sunny and hot for the coming week, so they should pay attention to sun protection, hydration, and heatstroke prevention.
This year, the number of registered pilgrims reached a record high of 463,588. Police estimated that by noon, 150,000 people had already poured into the Baishatun area, and the areas around Gongtian Temple and connecting roads were crowded with people. Some pilgrims had already been sent to the hospital by ambulance due to discomfort. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150412