Detailed Introduction
Before dawn, in the fields of Miaoli's coastal plain, a palanquin under a pink canopy suddenly surges forward — and a few hundred pilgrims on foot instantly break into a run to keep up. No one can guess where Mazu will go next. This is the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage: organized by Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli, and heading to Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Yunlin — a round trip of about 400 km that takes 8 to 9 days, and the most legendary of all Mazu pilgrimages in Taiwan.
No Fixed Route
Every other Mazu procession maps out its path well in advance. Baishatun plans nothing. The whole direction is decided by Mazu's palanquin itself; the bearers only carry it, following wherever the sedan sways. That pink-canopied palanquin has earned the affectionate nickname the "Pink Supercar." Sometimes it suddenly sprints, makes a sharp turn, or even doubles back, and everyone can only stay alert and keep their eyes on it — a journey full of surprise and of moving moments. The palanquin often "charges" straight into homes, schools, and hospitals to bless the people inside, showing Mazu at her most tender and approachable.
Sister Mazu from Shanbian
The pilgrimage holds one especially moving detail: the Shanbian Mazu from Houlong, Miaoli rides in the very same palanquin as the Baishatun Mazu. The two have traveled together every year since 1953 — more than seventy years without a break — and are known as the "Sister Mazus," one of the gentlest chapters in Taiwan's pilgrimage culture.
Roadside Warmth
During these days, residents along the way set out offering tables of their own accord to greet the goddess, laying out banquet dishes, drinks, and snacks, and readying places to rest. Stranger or not, the moment they see a pilgrim they warmly wave them over to sit and eat. Many who have walked the route describe this human warmth as "the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan."
How to Join
Anyone can join the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage freely — no registration, no fee. You can walk the whole way or accompany it for just a stretch. In recent years word has spread on social media, drawing crowds of young people and foreign visitors and making it a new highlight of Taiwan's religious culture. If you can't be there in person, you can follow the palanquin's position live by GPS and take part online. The Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage was listed as a National Important Folk Custom by the Ministry of Culture in 2010.