"Ride and Be Blessed" - Mazu Culture Shuttle Tours Taichung City

As Mazu's palanquin sets out on its procession, the public can also take the culture shuttle to discover century-old Mazu temples! The "2016 Mazu Culture Shuttle - Mazu Pilgrimage" will run 25 shuttle trips from April 23 to May 29. Besides taking people to visit 12 century-old Mazu temples in Taichung City, it also arranges fun traditional folk activities and DIY experiences. Registration runs from April 11 to April 12.

This year's Taichung Mazu International Tourism and Culture Festival series includes the "Mazu Culture Shuttle," with five routes: the Lexing Route, Fukang Route, Wanshan Route, Fengshen Route and Xintun Route. Departure points are the Huludun Cultural Center, the Harbor District Art Center, the Dadun Cultural Center and the Tun District Art Center, among others. The 12 century-old Mazu temples visited include Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, Taichung Lecheng Temple, Taichung Wanchun Temple, Beitun Nanxing Temple, Nantun Wanhe Temple, Dazhuang Haotian Temple, Wuqi Chaoyuan Temple, Fengyuan Ciji Temple, Shekou Wanxing Temple, Dalixi Fuxing Temple, Dadu Wanxing Temple and Xinshe Jiuzhuang Mazu Temple, among others.

Besides visiting Taichung City's various cultural centers and Mazu temples, the Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau has also arranged traditional folk activities and DIY experiences. Visitors can listen to Fuxingxuan Luantan opera and experience Beiguan culture, watch a lion dance performance by the Tongrentang Lion Art Hall, paint Mazu figurine dolls by hand, or join Master Acong's taro pastry DIY activity, combining education with entertainment and making it suitable for families to enjoy together.

Registration for the "2016 Mazu Culture Shuttle" runs from April 11 to April 12. The registration fee is 100 yuan, and participants may join only once. After registration, a computer random draw will determine whether applicants are accepted. The public can register by phone, fax, online or through the mobile page. Registration hotlines: (04)23820451, 23800592, 23820259. For detailed registration information, please see the Taichung City Government Cultural Affairs Bureau website at http://www.culture.taichung.gov.tw/ .