Mazu worship is one of the most important and popular folk religions in Taiwan. Every year, before Mazu’s birthday, grand pilgrimages are held across the island in her honor.
On April 4, 2026, Taoyuan Longde Temple will organize a nine-day, eight-night walking pilgrimage to Lugang Mazu Temple in Changhua to collect the incense fire and pay homage, along with visits to many other famous temples in central and southern Taiwan. Nearly tens of thousands devotees join the procession on the first day of departure. Over the course of nine days, participants will walk approximately 400 kilometers, traveling from northern to southern Taiwan and crossing nine counties and cities. The scale of the pilgrimage is truly magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Although the journey is long and physically demanding, believers feel that Mazu travels with them in her beautifully decorated sedan chair, guiding and protecting them every step of the way. Many participants say, “Where there is faith, there is strength.” With a sincere vow in their hearts, they discover unexpected courage and endurance. Even when their feet are blistered and their bodies exhausted, their determination keeps them moving forward. The pilgrimage reflects the deep spiritual bond between the people and the goddess, as participants pray for peace, safety, and good fortune.
For visitors, the Mazu pilgrimage is an unforgettable cultural experience. You may see a long, colorful procession approaching a temple: bands playing gongs, drums, and horns; performance troupes entertaining the crowds; and tall, fierce-looking guardian figures leading the way. Ornate sedan chairs carrying the gods move forward through clouds of firecrackers, while hundreds of devoted pilgrims follow behind.
In many ways, this sacred journey is similar to the famous Camino de Santiago in Spain. Just like pilgrims walking across Spain toward Santiago de Compostela, Mazu devotees walk not only with their feet, but also with their faith. Both pilgrimages are about more than reaching a destination—they are about self-discovery, spiritual growth, and the power of belief.
Recognized as one of Taiwan’s most important cultural traditions, the Mazu pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to experience the island’s living heritage. For anyone wishing to discover the true spirit of Taiwan, joining this pilgrimage is a journey you will never forget.
媽祖信仰是台灣非常重要、也最普遍的民間信仰之一。每年在媽祖誕辰之前，全台各地都會舉辦盛大的遶境進香活動，場面莊嚴而熱鬧。
2026年4月4日桃園龍德宮舉辦為期九天八夜的徒步進香，前往鹿港天后宮刈火進香，並沿途參拜中南部多座知名宮廟。第一天出發時都有將近萬名信眾隨行。九天行程中，隊伍步行將達四百公里，南北跨越九大縣市，場面十分壯觀。
雖然路途遙遠、體力消耗極大，但信徒們相信媽祖會乘坐華麗的神轎與大家同行，時時守護、指引方向。許多參加者常說：「有願就有力。」當心中懷抱著虔誠的願望與承諾時，再疲憊的身體也能走下去。即使雙腳起水泡、汗流浹背，大家仍彼此鼓勵、一路堅持。這趟遶境不只是身體的考驗，更是心靈的磨鍊，展現了人與神明之間深厚的情感連結。信徒們祈求平安、順利與好運，也在行走中找到內心的安定與力量。
對外地訪客而言，媽祖遶境是一場難忘的文化體驗。你可能會看到綿延數公里的繽紛隊伍緩緩前行：鑼鼓喧天、號角齊鳴、陣頭團體熱鬧演出、高大威武的神將走在最前方開路。華麗的神轎在鞭炮煙霧中穿梭前進，後方是成千上百虔誠的信徒，一步一步踏出信仰的足跡。
這樣的朝聖之旅，其實也讓人聯想到西班牙著名的聖雅各之路（Camino de Santiago）。在西班牙，來自世界各地的朝聖者徒步走向聖地，尋找自我與心靈的成長。媽祖遶境亦是如此——人們不只是為了抵達終點，更是在行走之中體會信念的力量與生命的意義。
作為台灣最重要的文化傳統之一，媽祖遶境展現了富有生命力的信仰文化。若想真正體驗台灣的精神與人情味，親身參與一次遶境之旅，必定會成為一生難忘的回憶。