Prayers and Flames: The Burning of the King Boat (Travel in Taiwan)
The Dong Long Temple’s (東隆宮) boat burning ceremony in Donggang (東港) is one of the most popular festivals in Taiwan. For many years I have been wanting to go but it always seems to elude me (it only happens once every three years). Happily, the tourism department magazine, Travel in Taiwan, sent writer Steven Crook and myself to Pingtung to cover the 2012 event.
The photos and article were published in the Jan/Feb issue of Travel in Taiwan.
The kind of event that you want to take a ladder along to … Great photos …
Yes, there were many ladders!
Thank you for sharing, Rich. Great shots! Although I was born and raised in Pingtung but I never had a chance to go to this event. Glad you made it.
Hi! It seems that I am lucky enough to be in Taiwan in 2015 during the ceremony. However I don’t speak Chinese and find it quite difficult to figure out the 7 day schedule. Do you happen to know a good English website where I can find out more, so that I know when I need to be where in order to not miss anything? Thanks
I’m not following it this year but a quick look found this: http://www.66.org.tw/index.htm
國曆 104 年10月 4 日恭請王駕(請王)
The Royal Kings arrive October 4th (The festival begins)
國曆 104 年10月 11 日凌晨2點恭送王駕(送王)
They are sending the Royal Kings off on October 11th at two in the morning Burning the boat).