Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage Reaches Xingang, Weng Chang-liang: Matsu Makes Taiwanese Differences Disappear
The Dajia Matsu pilgrimage arrived in Xingang, Chiayi, where local officials welcomed it. The Matsu belief was emphasized as a force that unifies Taiwanese hearts and resolves differences. Traffic control and security measures were also implemented.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 17:16
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 17:31 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 17:34 (3 min after Collected)
The nine-day, eight-night pilgrimage of the Dajia Zhenlan Temple's Matsu arrived in Xingang Township, Chiayi, this afternoon. Along the route, local villagers enthusiastically offered participants fried noodles, grass jelly cakes, watermelons, rice dumplings, tofu pudding, red bean cakes, and refreshing beverages to replenish their energy.
The Dajia Matsu palanquin arrived at Lunzi Bridge in Xingang Township, Chiayi, at 1:55 PM. Weng Chang-liang, former Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Ming-wen, Xingang Fengtian Temple Chairman He Dah-huang, and others received the palanquin at the bridgehead. Singer Richie Jen also appeared and helped carry the palanquin.
After the reception ceremony, Weng Chang-liang delivered a speech, stating that the theme of this Matsu pilgrimage is 'benevolence,' allowing participants to walk on the path of goodness and unite the hearts of Taiwanese people, which only Matsu can achieve. He expressed gratitude that Matsu could quell the unrest in Taiwan and make the differences among Taiwanese people disappear. He added that the world is currently not peaceful, with too many people suffering, and hoped for world peace under Matsu's protection.
Dajia Zhenlan Temple Chairman Yan Ching-piao said that the Matsu palanquin was delayed by six to seven hours in Changhua. He promised that those who missed the opportunity to pass under the palanquin would have another chance on the return journey and thanked everyone along the route and the residents of Xingang for their hospitality to the Matsu devotees.
Richie Jen said that he returned to his hometown of Changhua these past few days and coincidentally coincided with the Dajia Matsu's tour. He came to Xingang to experience and record the grand occasion and pay a visit to his old friend He Dah-huang. He stated that Matsu belief is a positive force, and he hopes everyone will carry forward this strength to make society better.
The police stated that to prevent accidents due to human and vehicle congestion around Fengtian Temple when the Dajia Matsu arrives in Xingang, traffic control will be implemented from 10 AM today until 2 AM on the 22nd, covering roads around Fengtian Temple. However, official vehicles and vehicles of residents within the control zone will be allowed entry and exit.
Furthermore, to prevent accidents, 478 police officers and 66 civilian personnel were deployed to maintain public order along the route of the Dajia Matsu palanquin. The Chiayi County Fire Bureau also mobilized 144 police and volunteer firefighters and conscripts to assist with security.
Fengtian Temple emphasized that if intelligence is received about outsiders attempting to intercept the palanquin, they will negotiate in advance to avoid conflict. This year marks the 39th anniversary of Xingang hosting the Dajia Matsu. In these 39 years, Xingang has never experienced a '搶轎' (jostling for the palanquin) conflict.
The Dajia Zhenlan Temple's nine-day, eight-night pilgrimage began on the evening of the 17th and arrived at Xingang Fengtian Temple in Chiayi today. A birthday celebration ceremony will be held tomorrow morning before returning to Zhenlan Temple. (Edited by: Chen Ren-hua) 20260420
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The Dajia Matsu palanquin arrived at Lunzi Bridge in Xingang Township, Chiayi, at 1:55 PM. Weng Chang-liang, former Chiayi County Magistrate Chen Ming-wen, Xingang Fengtian Temple Chairman He Dah-huang, and others received the palanquin at the bridgehead. Singer Richie Jen also appeared and helped carry the palanquin.
After the reception ceremony, Weng Chang-liang delivered a speech, stating that the theme of this Matsu pilgrimage is 'benevolence,' allowing participants to walk on the path of goodness and unite the hearts of Taiwanese people, which only Matsu can achieve. He expressed gratitude that Matsu could quell the unrest in Taiwan and make the differences among Taiwanese people disappear. He added that the world is currently not peaceful, with too many people suffering, and hoped for world peace under Matsu's protection.
Dajia Zhenlan Temple Chairman Yan Ching-piao said that the Matsu palanquin was delayed by six to seven hours in Changhua. He promised that those who missed the opportunity to pass under the palanquin would have another chance on the return journey and thanked everyone along the route and the residents of Xingang for their hospitality to the Matsu devotees.
Richie Jen said that he returned to his hometown of Changhua these past few days and coincidentally coincided with the Dajia Matsu's tour. He came to Xingang to experience and record the grand occasion and pay a visit to his old friend He Dah-huang. He stated that Matsu belief is a positive force, and he hopes everyone will carry forward this strength to make society better.
The police stated that to prevent accidents due to human and vehicle congestion around Fengtian Temple when the Dajia Matsu arrives in Xingang, traffic control will be implemented from 10 AM today until 2 AM on the 22nd, covering roads around Fengtian Temple. However, official vehicles and vehicles of residents within the control zone will be allowed entry and exit.
Furthermore, to prevent accidents, 478 police officers and 66 civilian personnel were deployed to maintain public order along the route of the Dajia Matsu palanquin. The Chiayi County Fire Bureau also mobilized 144 police and volunteer firefighters and conscripts to assist with security.
Fengtian Temple emphasized that if intelligence is received about outsiders attempting to intercept the palanquin, they will negotiate in advance to avoid conflict. This year marks the 39th anniversary of Xingang hosting the Dajia Matsu. In these 39 years, Xingang has never experienced a '搶轎' (jostling for the palanquin) conflict.
The Dajia Zhenlan Temple's nine-day, eight-night pilgrimage began on the evening of the 17th and arrived at Xingang Fengtian Temple in Chiayi today. A birthday celebration ceremony will be held tomorrow morning before returning to Zhenlan Temple. (Edited by: Chen Ren-hua) 20260420
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