Chiayi City's High-Altitude Swing Festival Competes in Skill and Courage; Japanese Kumamoto Education Group Observes
The Chiayi City Swing Festival took place today at the Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple grounds, featuring participants showcasing their skills and courage on a 12-meter-high swing. The visiting Japanese Kumamoto education committee and others considered it a valuable experience.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 13:56
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The Chiayi City Swing Festival was held today at the Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple grounds in Guanglu Village, with contestants competing in skill and courage on a 12-meter-high swing frame. Huang Min-hui, Mayor of Chiayi City, told reporters that in early times, when a plague occurred in the lower area of Guanglu Village, villagers prayed to Xuan Tian Shang Di for protection. Following the deity's will, they erected a swing frame and performed a swinging ritual to eliminate the plague. Since then, this ritual has been held every leap year during Xuan Tian Shang Di's birthday celebration as part of a thanksgiving ceremony. In 2008, after obtaining permission from Xuan Tian Shang Di through divination, it was changed to an annual event to develop local religious tourism.
She said that high-altitude swinging, viewed from a modern scientific perspective, aims to enhance people's physical strength, cohesion, and unity. The Swing Festival has attracted international attention since its inception, with people from Europe, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia having attended. Some have even experienced it firsthand.
Zhang Jin-long, Principal of Chiayi City's Minsheng Junior High School, stated that teachers have integrated this traditional culture into campus education. Last year, they guided students in publishing the picture book 'The Lord on the Swinging God's Swing' to pass on local culture. The school invited Endo Hiroshi, Director-General of the Kumamoto City Board of Education, and others to observe this year for in-depth friendly academic and cultural exchange.
Through an interpreter, Endo Hiroshi expressed his honor in attending the event firsthand, noting that Japan has no similar celebratory activities, making it a very valuable experience for the accompanying delegation members. He was also very happy to see citizens participating enthusiastically.
The Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple stated that the competition is divided into junior, youth, and middle-aged categories for individual events. The double team event is divided into youth and middle-aged categories. Women also have categories to experience high-altitude swinging on the swing frame.
The temple stated that the bamboo swing frame, built according to ancient customs, is 12 meters high, equivalent to a four-story building. The swing pedal is about 2 meters above the ground, and the swing can reach a maximum height of 10 meters. Contestants need courage and coordinated hands and feet to swing vigorously at high altitudes. The competition is tense and exciting, drawing continuous gasps from the audience.
In addition, there are promotional booths, community markets, and performances on-site, making the event lively and bustling. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1150418
She said that high-altitude swinging, viewed from a modern scientific perspective, aims to enhance people's physical strength, cohesion, and unity. The Swing Festival has attracted international attention since its inception, with people from Europe, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia having attended. Some have even experienced it firsthand.
Zhang Jin-long, Principal of Chiayi City's Minsheng Junior High School, stated that teachers have integrated this traditional culture into campus education. Last year, they guided students in publishing the picture book 'The Lord on the Swinging God's Swing' to pass on local culture. The school invited Endo Hiroshi, Director-General of the Kumamoto City Board of Education, and others to observe this year for in-depth friendly academic and cultural exchange.
Through an interpreter, Endo Hiroshi expressed his honor in attending the event firsthand, noting that Japan has no similar celebratory activities, making it a very valuable experience for the accompanying delegation members. He was also very happy to see citizens participating enthusiastically.
The Wudang Mountain Xuan Tian Shang Di Temple stated that the competition is divided into junior, youth, and middle-aged categories for individual events. The double team event is divided into youth and middle-aged categories. Women also have categories to experience high-altitude swinging on the swing frame.
The temple stated that the bamboo swing frame, built according to ancient customs, is 12 meters high, equivalent to a four-story building. The swing pedal is about 2 meters above the ground, and the swing can reach a maximum height of 10 meters. Contestants need courage and coordinated hands and feet to swing vigorously at high altitudes. The competition is tense and exciting, drawing continuous gasps from the audience.
In addition, there are promotional booths, community markets, and performances on-site, making the event lively and bustling. (Editor: Li Mingzong) 1150418