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Temple hosts five-day ritual for the first time in nearly 200 years

A temple in Tainan just marked a major historic milestone! The Fushou Lane Beiji Temple celebrated a major Jianjiao sacrificial ceremony on Tuesday evening. A large archway was built with endless rows of long tables holding more than 50,000 offerings as well as sacrificial pigs, creating a spectacle. The temple also heavily compensated Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group for their performance and prayers which local believers also joined in on this historical ceremony.

Across the massive plaza outside the temple, a historical Jianjiao sacrificial ceremony is being celebrated; the glimmers and glows create an impressive view from above. The rows and rows of tables are filled with some 50,000 red plates for offerings combined with the sacrificial pigs; it is truly a sight to see.

Lin Ching-chen
Chairman of Fushou Lane Beiji Temple
This is the first Jianjiao in 193 years. Yesterday evening was the fifth day and celebrations reached their peak. We’re holding the event at a ritual site that is more than 10,000 pings in area.

On top of the many offerings on the table, there were also thousands of cases of beer and sorghum. The grand ceremony reached its peak on Tuesday evening at the Fushou Lane Beiji Temple. As the first Jianjiao in 193 years, the ceremony was held to thank the gods. The Temple reportedly paid a pretty penny for a Taiwanese opera performance by Ming Hwa Yuan starring superstar Sun Tsui-feng. The event was packed with local believers coming to celebrate.

Member of public
Attended the ceremony
What a spectacle! Everyone hearts are very full.

After the ceremony, the temple also prepared fireworks show lighting up the dark sky with colors. As the five-day century-old prayer and ritual came to a close, the temple should prosper and thrive for the next 100 years.

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#beijitemple #sacrificialceremony #offering #taoism #taiwan

2026-10-28

Public piano turns new Tainan Station into concert hall

Since the new Tainan Railway Station opened, it’s been filled with live music. People have been showing off their skills at a piano in the station, with other instrumentalists and singers joining in. Travelers often stop to record the impromptu performances, praising the musical talent the southern ancient city has to offer.

People stop to listen to the piano as it echoes through the train station.

Another musician pulls out their violin, joining the pianist to play the theme song from a Japanese anime. The duo attracted a large audience.

In another impromptu performance, an erhu and a pipa player formed a trio with the piano, bringing local music to the station.

Another pianist was later joined by a middle-aged man and young woman who started singing together, turning the station into a concert hall. This public piano in the lobby of Tainan’s new main train station has been busy, with many people eager to play it. Travelers stop to listen and record the performances, sharing Tainan’s musical talent online. Some even recognized one of the musicians.

This is Chen Chun-hao, a blind pianist who received the President Education Award in 2020. He’s currently studying music and returned to the station several days in a row to play.

Talented musicians have taken turns showing off their skills, filling the station with music and turning it into an impromptu performance space.

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#Tainan #TainanStation #piano #music #livemusic #publicpiano #performance #musician #singer

2026-10-28

Families fuming after postpartum center kicks out 8 mothers in typhoon

Eight mothers who had just given birth were kicked out of their postpartum care center in Kaohsiung last Friday, just as Typhoon Champi descended on Taiwan. That is because the center apparently shut down due to financial difficulties. Despite being aware of the money problems, the facility continued signing contracts with clients and collecting more than NT$7 million in fees from customers. Two individuals in charge, surnamed Hsu and Chang, were arrested on suspicion of fraud, and they’ve since been released on NT$100,000 bail. Let’s hear more.

Voice of Chen Chu-chun
Prosecutor
Despite facing financial difficulties, the company is thought to have continued signing contracts with multiple victims and collecting payments. After questioning, two individuals surnamed Hsu and Chang are suspected of violating the Criminal Code’s provisions on fraud.

Voice of Mr. Chuang
Victim
There’s 63 or 64 families affected, and collectively we gave them more than NT$7 million. Most people paid the full amount for the stay upfront when they signed the contracts. We created a Line group to discuss it. We’re worried, because we don’t know how or if we will get our money back. As long as investigators handle the case properly, I don’t think the suspects will flee.

Chiang Jui-hung
Kaohsiung City Councilor (DPP)
One of the men in charge, Mr. Chang, came to our office. He told us that he was being investigated, so he couldn’t come and make arrangements with everyone.

The operators said they were only temporarily unable to provide service at the postpartum center, denying that the business had actually shut down. They even agreed to meet with the affected families for mediation at a city councilor’s office. But prosecutors moved first, raiding the facility the day after the incident and found that the it had been operating without a license. Since 2022, it had been fined nine times for illegally performing nursing duties, with total penalties reaching NT$2.31 million.

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#postpartum #healthcare #motherhood #parenthood #newborn

2026-10-28

Shen wears bulletproof vest and ramps security as elections approach

As the local elections draw near, candidates continue to canvass the streets and appeal to as many people as they can, all the while security measures ramp up. Supporters recently saw Puma Shen’s canvassing vehicle outfitted with bulletproof glass. The Taipei mayoral candidate also claimed he wears a bulletproof vest during outdoor activities. Lee Wen-chang, Deputy Director of the National Police Agency, also stated that they have received intelligence that put candidates at risk.

DPP’s mayoral candidate for Taipei, Puma Shen continues to canvass in the streets. He even showed up in Hsinchu to help, but fans couldn’t miss the bulletproof glass on the vehicle or the bulletproof vest that Shen wore. It seems that security measures have tightened.

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Usually, when people wear a bulletproof vest, it’s because they are on the move and there’s a lot of people they don’t know. In occasions with a lot of movement, planning for adequate safety measures is complicated, so in these scenarios you wear a vest.

The O’Shen wave was embraced from behind bulletproof glass. The KMT seemingly tried to turn the issue into a campaign against Shen, but the National Police Agency has confirmed that they received intelligence regarding Shen’s security.

Hung Meng-kai
Legislator (KMT)
So ultimately was there any intelligence that was harmful to the candidate?

Lee Wen-chang
Deputy Director of the National Police Agency
Currently, we cannot publicly reveal the specific candidates or the progress of the investigation. This part was controlled.

While campaigning outdoors, candidate safety and proper security details are very important. Selection procedures for bodyguards are rigorous; they must have clean records with no demerits within 5 years and no disciplinary actions within 3 years. Shen has 2 bodyguards and 4 police officers on rotation for every outdoor activity. There are nearly 20,000 candidates across Taiwan and around 169 reported bodyguards. For candidates running for commissioners, mayors or councilors, it is normal to have 1 to 2 bodyguards each. If they receive any threats, the number of guards is adjusted.

Chen Chong-guang
Taiwanese Bodyguard School Instructor
Most of the time if there’s an incident outdoors, or if they receive a threat, they will need to evacuate the area secretly. Bodyguards must be skilled in Taekwondo or MMA. The worst thing is to be nervous. There needs to be a good understanding with the candidates.

When candidates are canvassing on the streets, bodyguards remain alert and focused; the core principle is to not let candidates come in harm’s way.

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#bodyguards #security #campaign #taiwan #election

2026-10-28

60kg sulcata tortoise floating belly-up downstream rescued

A sulcata tortoise floating belly-up down a fast-moving stream in a drainage canal led to a rapid rescue mission in Taichung. The tortoise was spotted helplessly moving its legs in the air as the current brought it downstream. Fortunately, a kind-hearted passerby who saw the animal jumped into the water and lifted it out out of the canal. It was not an easy feat, as the turtle weighed close to 60kg. Let’s hear more.

Rescuer (Anonymized)
Saved tortoise
We went down to the canal to rescue it and took it home. We put it under a heating lamp to warm up, and then we took it to the vet today. We have turtles at home, so when we saw it we immediately wanted to rescue it. It seems to be doing better now, and it’s been eating food.

Chou Shyun
NCHU Veterinary Medicine Dept.
I think that, since it is quite strong, it’s likely that it dug a hole or broke through a fence and escaped its enclosure. I don’t think it’s likely that it was abandoned.

Sulcata tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles. Staying submerged in water for too long can be fatal for them. Fortunately, this time, the tortoise was rescued in time. After the rescue, the animal was brought to a vet for a check-up. The rescuers also posted online in hopes that its owner would come forward to reclaim their pet and bring it home.

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#tortoise #sulcatatortoise #canal #taichung #missingpet

2026-10-28

Senior NHI premium exemption plan sparks equity concerns

Now that Taiwan is a super-aged society, demand for elderly care continues to grow and welfare resources are increasingly scrutinized. The Legislative Yuan recently passed a bill exempting people aged 65 and older from National Health Insurance premiums starting next year, and this has prompted concerns about additional government spending and the potential financial burden on the younger generation, as well as whether other social welfare programs would suffer as a result.

The National Health Insurance system provides comprehensive healthcare to everyone in Taiwan and has earned international recognition for its range of coverage and services. Recently, the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment exempting people aged 65 and over whose income falls below the 20% tax rate from paying premiums, sparking widespread debate.

Hung Tzu-jen
Taiwan College of Healthcare Executives director
People aged 65 and over account for about 43% of healthcare spending, with average annual medical expenses exceeding NT$90,000 per person. These costs will continue to rise with inflation, squeezing funding for other areas, such as the Long-Term Care 3.0 project, salary adjustments for healthcare workers, and the pace at which new drugs and technologies are covered by NHI.

Liu Huan-jui
Taiwan Young Patient Association secretary-general
The Executive Yuan estimates that expanding NHI premium subsidies to people aged 65 and older would require nearly NT$40 billion in additional funding each year. While supporting older people in financial need is important, Taiwan must establish a fair and sustainable system to ensure the NHI has sufficient resources to improve care, introduce new drugs, and safeguard the health of all generations.

Experts estimate that 83% of people 65 and over will qualify for the premium exemption. While this could ease the financial burden for older people, the additional costs could be shifted to younger generations and affect other social programs.

Wu Yu-chin
Active Aging Taiwan chair
Taiwan’s NHI system, a source of great pride, is something everyone cherishes and hopes will be sustainable. But this amendment makes young people wonder if they will have to shoulder the cost of NHI in the future, which would be unfair to them.

As the government adjusts its policies to support the nation’s aging population, it’s a challenge to ensure resources are allocated fairly and effectively.

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#NHI #seniors #agingsociety #socialwelfare #amendment #premiums #exemptions #bill

2026-10-28

Hualien Sculpture Festival to feature light installations, music

This year’s edition of the Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival will kick off in November. Based on the theme "under the skin of the earth," participating artists have been invited to explore the relationship between humans and the environment. Light installations and a concert featuring Golden Melody Award winners will be joining nine local and foreign artists who will showcase their original work.

Artists focus intently on their work, chipping away to bring the sculpture hidden inside the stone to life. The Hualien International Stone Sculpture Festival returns this year, featuring original work commissioned by the county government. This year’s theme, “under the skin of the earth,” likens the surface of the earth to an epidermis, interpreted differently by each sculptor.

Chen Hsuan-yu
Sculptor
The ocean here in Hualien is unique for Taiwan. It plunges straight down into a massive and extremely deep fault line. The fault line paired with the mountains creates a giant wall formed by the cliffs and the sea.

Lee Po-yuan
Sculptor
It’s about how the language of two people’s bodies interact. To me, boulders bring a sense of silent power.

Artists are incorporating Hualien’s dramatic ocean cliffside and the silent majesty of its rocky monoliths into their work. At the same time, the popular installation Breathing Stones, which drew 90,000 people to Sunrise Boulevard in Hualien the last time it was displayed, will come to Danongdafu Forest Park. The Hualien County Museum of Art will also feature many stone sculptures.

Chen Chien-tsun
Hualien Cultural Affairs Bureau director
We’ve invited sculptors who have come to Hualien before for the International Stone Sculpture Festival to come back and share their work again with all of us art lovers here in Hualien.

As a treat for the ears as well as the eyes, there will also be a concert held on the opening day of the festival. The exciting event is to feature Golden Melody-winning musicians Rich Huang and Baby Chung playing alongside renowned Swiss trumpeter Yannick Barman for a genre-spanning event to celebrate the start of this festival of the arts.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Hualien #sculpture #art #artfestival #GoldenMelody #stonesculpture #artists

2026-10-28

From automation to autonomy: Industry trends in unmanned tech

As labor shortages intensify, unmanned technologies are emerging as a key solution to keeping society running. From hospital service robots to drones delivering emergency supplies, these technologies are moving beyond simple automation toward greater autonomy. The Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, is bringing industry leaders together to explore the latest developments and business opportunities in a series of seminars, as the sector looks toward a major growth period in the next four years.

ITRI on Wednesday held the inauguration ceremony of a series of seminars on industry development trends, with a focus on the outlook for 2027. Among the attendees were industry representatives from Qisda and the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robotics Association. One key topic was emerging trends in unmanned technologies and industrial applications.

Chi Chao-yin
ITRI ISTI
According to the National Development Council, labor productivity will have to increase by 40% by 2050 in order for society to function. That’s why unmanned technologies will take over to keep operations running. Humans may have to step back from doing frontline tasks and command the processes instead.

In the future, human workers may have to shift from frontline duties to behind-the-scenes roles such as managing and supervising. In hospitals, that means service robots can lead patients around the building and provide basic health information. In remote rural areas or disaster sites, drones can take over emergency supply deliveries, easily clearing geographic obstacles. Machines may even cooperate by themselves in the future, as unmanned technologies shift from automation to autonomy. The range of applications continues to expand.

Cally Ko
Qisda General Manager
There are two teams in our company. One, specializing in drones and the other, in physical AI, including four-legged and two-legged robots for commercial use. Orders have been placed already, and production has begun. The period from next year to early 2030 will be a huge boom in growth for the unmanned tech sector.

Industry players see strong growth potential for unmanned technologies, as applications extend to smart manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and energy infrastructure inspections. Over the next 8 days, more than 70 keynote speakers brought together by ITRI will share their insights at 16 seminar sessions, so that businesses are up-to-date on the latest industry trends.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#automation #autonomy #seminar #tech #unmannedtech

2026-10-28

3-year-old mountain bongo called Harris arrives in Taiwan

A 3-year-old male mountain bongo named Harris has made his way across the Pacific to his new home in Taiwan. Though Taipei Zoo already has five mountain bongos, they are all female, and therefore can’t breed. That’s why the Houston Zoo in Texas decided to donate a male animal to Taipei. After an 18-hour flight, Harris was greeted at Taoyuan International Airport by none other than the director of the American Institute in Taiwan. Let’s hear more.

Raymond Greene
AIT Director
The AIT was very proud to work with Houston City, Taipei City and their respective zoos and the Taiwan authorities to realize the survival for Harris. The US and Taiwan work very closely on bio safety as well as animal health, and so I think this is a success story for our cooperation.

Kevin Hodge
Houston Zoo Vice President
EVA Air treated us like first-class guests. Harris was calm throughout the whole flight, so we were able to give him food and water every two hours and it was perfect.

Ju Shiau-fen
Taipei Zoo Director
Our bongo antelope population currently consists of just five females. We hope this male, robust and young, can serve as a breeding male and help us increase the population. We expect to officially introduce him to the public after he finishes one-month in quarantine.

As soon as the plane touched down, airport staff held up a banner welcoming Harris to his new home. Mountain bongos are a kind of antelope with reddish-brown fur, distinctive white stripes and a pair of long horns. They are native to Africa and are among the world’s largest forest antelopes. The species is classified as critically endangered. Harris’s long journey to this side of the globe comes with an important mission: to help breed the next generation and bring new hope to conservation efforts in Taiwan.

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#bongo #harris #taiwan #houstonzoo #taipeizoo

2026-10-28

Huge Little Prince inflatable steals show at Bitan festival

2026 marks 80 years since The Little Prince was first published. To mark the occasion, the New Taipei City Government has introduced scenes from the timeless French classic to the beautiful landscapes of Bitan. Centered around a huge 19-meter-long inflatable of the beloved character, and featuring other installations of the Fox and the Rose, the Little Prince’s universe beckons visitors.

As the countdown reaches zero, fireworks illuminate a huge inflatable Little Prince and the surrounding waterfront to mark the official opening of the Bitan Landscape Art Festival.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the French story’s publication. The New Taipei City Government licensed the beloved IP for the festival, integrating scenes from the book into the Bitan waterfront. The highlight is this 19-meter-long inflatable of the Little Prince in a boat, along with other installations of the Fox and the Rose. Some fans brought their own collectibles.

Festival visitor
The Little Prince fan
My kids aren’t very familiar with it, but it’s nostalgic for me, so I brought them to come see it. I think they did very well with it. These flowers are beautiful.

Festival visitor
The Little Prince fan
I love The Little Prince. My kid’s textbook also covers the story, so I wanted to teach them more about the author.

Local business owners have also been invited to join in offering a market and music to visitors as they enjoy the peaceful waterfront and timeless charm of The Little Prince.

Hou You-yi
New Taipei City Mayor
Beyond combining Eastern and Western art and culture, it’s truly wonderful to see the Little Prince amid the landscapes of Bitan. This artistic atmosphere makes Bitan even more beautiful as night falls.

During the festival, paddleboats will also be available for rental at night, so visitors can soak in the romantic scene from the water as well as from the shore.

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#Bitan #NewTaipei #artinstallation #TheLittlePrince #LePetitPrince #festival

2026-10-28