Last Updated on 2025 年 12 月 5 日 by 総合編集組
The Legendary Pink Super Car Mazu Arrives in Kaohsiung for the First Time: Full Guide to the Historic 2025 Event
In December 2025, one of Taiwan’s most beloved religious icons – the Baishatun Mazu from Gongtian Temple in Miaoli, famously nicknamed the “Pink Super Car” – will make its historic first journey to southern Taiwan. From December 5 to 7, this sacred statue will join three major local Mazu temples in Kaohsiung for a grand three-day blessing procession, attracting over 80,000 devotees and marking the first-ever gathering of northern and southern Taiwan’s “Four Great Mazu” in the south.
What Makes Baishatun Mazu So Special? Known affectionately as the “Pink Super Car,” Baishatun Mazu earned this playful title in 2013 when her palanquin dramatically “reverse-parked” in front of a white BMW during the annual pilgrimage, with its signature pink rain cover fluttering above. But beyond the cute nickname lies a profound tradition: this soft-bodied Mazu statue (with movable joints) is nearly 200 years old, older than the temple itself, symbolizing the Goddess of the Sea’s flexibility and compassion in answering prayers.
Unlike any other Mazu pilgrimage in Taiwan, Baishatun’s annual journey to Beigang Chaotian Temple has no fixed route and no fixed schedule. Every year, the dates are determined by divination, and the path is decided entirely by the goddess herself – interpreted through the movements of her palanquin bearers. Sometimes she walks along the coast, sometimes through mountains, and once famously crossed the Zhuoshui River directly through shallow waters in 2001. This unpredictability has earned the event national intangible cultural heritage status since 2010.
Historic First: Four Great Mazu Gather in Kaohsiung The 2025 event is organized to celebrate the 313th anniversary of Kaohsiung’s Gangshan Shoutian Temple (Shou Tian Gong). For the first time, Baishatun Mazu will unite with three renowned southern Mazu temples:
- Wujia Longcheng Temple (Wujia Mazu)
- Qishan Tianhou Temple (Qishan Mazu)
- Gangshan Shoutian Temple (host temple)
This unprecedented gathering of northern and southern divine mothers is being hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime religious and cultural moment in southern Taiwan.
Complete 3-Day Itinerary (December 5–7, 2025)
Day 1 – December 5 (Friday): Qianzhen District – Double Mazu Procession The Pink Super Car arrives in Kaohsiung and teams up with Hongmaogang Chaotian Temple Mazu for a joint blessing parade through the fishing port area. • 09:30 – Gathering at Kaohsiung District Fishermen’s Association • 10:00 – Official start of procession • Route passes major fishing companies, local temples, and coastal communities • 18:30 – Overnight stay at Hongmaogang Chaotian Temple (open for public worship all night)
Day 2 – December 6 (Saturday): Return to Gangshan – 11.8 km Long March The goddess returns from Qianzhen to Gangshan to meet the three southern Mazu. • 08:30 – Departure from Hongmaogang • Passes through downtown Gangshan, schools, and residential areas • Lunch break at Gangshan Elementary School • 18:00 – Arrival and overnight at Shoutian Temple
Day 3 – December 7 (Sunday): Final Blessing + Rare “Crawling Under the Palanquin” Ritual • 07:00 – Morning procession (6.8 km) through Gangshan neighborhoods • 12:00–15:00 – Special “Drilling Under the Sedan Chair” (crawling beneath the palanquin for blessings) – a rare opportunity outside Miaoli! • Afternoon: Baishatun Mazu begins journey back north
Essential Tips for Participants
- No registration required – just show up with a sincere heart
- Wear comfortable shoes – sudden “speed walking” is common
- Orange caps are the traditional identifier for Baishatun pilgrims
- Bring reusable cups and bowls – food and drinks are generously offered along the route
- Live GPS tracking and 24-hour YouTube streaming available
Special Perks: Kaohsiung Mazu Peace Coupons The Kaohsiung City Government is distributing 10,000 “Mazu Peace Coupons” worth NT$50 each, valid at participating restaurants in Gangshan and Qianzhen from December 5–9. A perfect chance to try local lamb hotpot, seafood porridge, and famous Gangshan bean paste dishes.
Transportation & Road Closure Alert Major roads in Qianzhen (Dec 5 afternoon–evening) and Gangshan (Dec 6–7 morning to afternoon) will be closed. Use Kaohsiung MRT Red Line (Caoya or Siaogang stations) and follow official shuttle bus info.
Where to Watch Online
- Baishatun Mazu Online TV (YouTube 24/7 live)
- Shoutian Temple & Hongmaogang Chaotian Temple Facebook pages
- Real-time GPS tracking of the palanquin
This December, whether you’re a lifelong devotee or a curious traveler, the arrival of the Pink Super Car in Kaohsiung offers a rare glimpse into Taiwan’s living folk religion – where faith, community, and spontaneity come together in one unforgettable spectacle.
