On Saturday, September 6, the annual religious event “Hengchun Chiang Ku Festival” will take place. This year, 17 teams will compete for the championship banner!
When people think of Hengchun, the first things that come to mind are usually the overpriced stalls of Kenting Night Market, the iconic Eluanbi Lighthouse, or the breathtaking Kenting National Park. But beyond its tourist-heavy reputation, Hengchun has a hidden side—one that many have never witnessed firsthand: The “Chiang Ku” (Pole-Climbing) Competition—a jaw-dropping, high-stakes event that blends faith, courage, and ancient techniques, only performed once a year during the Ghost Festival.
Contents
◦ Pingtung Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Pingtung
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Car Rentals - Save Up to 10%
🚢 Xiaoliuqiu - Donggang Ferry Ticket
02｜Popular Attractions in Pingtung
🎫 National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium Ticket
🎫 Sleepover Experience at National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
🎫 Paradise of Deer Ticket in Kenting
🎫 Tickets for Kenting Luyu Island Capybara Ecological Park
🎫 Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area Tickets
03｜Things To Do in Pingtung
🚣🏻 Stand Up Paddleboarding Experience in Kenting
🤿 Water Activities at Kenting South Bay
🤿 Liuqiu Snorkeling Tour by Bear Diving in Pingtung
🏔️ Alangyi Hostoric Trail Hiking Day Tour
◦ The Past of Hengchun
Four hundred years ago, Hengchun wasn’t just a quiet coastal town—it was once an independent kingdom. The 2021 public television drama Seqalu: Formosa 1867 brought this long-buried history back into the spotlight, revealing an era when Taiwan was ruled under multiple systems at the same time. During the Qing Dynasty’s 200-year rule, their actual control only extended to the flatlands, leaving the mountainous regions and indigenous territories largely untouched. To separate Han Chinese settlements from Indigenous lands, the Qing government erected boundary stones, creating a "nation within a nation" system. Among these self-governing tribal states was the Seqalu Kingdom, ruled by the Paiwan people in what is now Hengchun Peninsula. Then, in 1874, the Mudan Incident triggered a shift in power, leading to Imperial Commissioner Shen Baozhen fortifying the area with a new city and establishing it as Pingtung’s first county seat. Because of its mild climate and eternal spring, the settlement was renamed Hengchun ("Eternal Spring"), a name it has carried ever since.
◦ Hengchun Chiang Ku Festival
The tradition of Chiang Ku and the “Greased Pole Climb” traces its roots back to the Qing Dynasty, brought over from Fujian, China. Back then, wealthy families would distribute leftover offerings to the poor after the Ghost Festival ceremonies. However, the chaotic rush for food often led to violent disputes. In 1879, the community came up with a fairer and more challenging solution—they built tall wooden towers (“Gu Shelves”) where the offerings were placed at the top. Instead of an all-out brawl, participants had to climb up and fight for the offerings—thus, the “Greased Pole Climb” was born! But this wasn’t just any climb—the wooden poles were covered in slippery beef fat, making the ascent nearly impossible without teamwork and strategy. Today, Qiang Gu has evolved from a local ritual into an international competition, attracting teams from around the world to test their agility, coordination, and endurance.
The tension starts building as early as sunset. After the main Ghost Festival rituals, Daoist priests begin tossing food and offerings into the crowd, igniting a wild scramble. Some locals come prepared with massive cardboard boxes, expertly scooping up offerings like seasoned pros.
Then, as night falls, the real spectacle begins. Thirty-six towering poles, each standing 23 meters (75 feet) tall, loom over the arena. With the beat of thunderous drums, teams assemble at the base, ready for battle. At the sound of the gong, the competition kicks off! This isn’t a solo mission—it’s a test of pure teamwork. The first climbers furiously wipe off the slippery grease as they inch upward. Teammates stack themselves into human pyramids, boosting each other higher and higher. Every movement is a delicate balance of strength and precision—one mistake can send an entire formation crashing down. Finally, as the leading climber reaches the top, they snatch the “Shun Feng Flag” (Victory Flag), signaling their team’s triumph! The roar of the crowd at that moment is electrifying—an unforgettable explosion of excitement, pride, and centuries-old tradition.
◦ Attractions in Hengchuen
01｜Kenting National Park
Looking at the map, it’s clear that Kenting National Park is massive, covering Hengchun, Manzhou, and parts of Checheng. Unlike most national parks, Kenting isn’t just about mountains and forests—it also extends into the ocean, protecting coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Two of Kenting’s most iconic landmarks, Eluanbi Lighthouse and Taiwan’s Southernmost Point, also fall within the park’s boundaries.
Kenting National Park Opening Hours: 0800-1700, closed on Monday. No. 596, Kending Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung
02｜Eluanbi Lighthouse
At some point, Eluanbi Lighthouse became a must-visit for student graduation trips. Like many others, I didn’t fully appreciate its significance until I returned years later. Built in 1881, the lighthouse was commissioned by the Qing Dynasty in response to frequent shipwrecks in Taiwan’s southern waters, where hidden reefs posed a deadly hazard. However, this lighthouse isn’t just for navigation—it was also built for defense. At the time, conflicts between indigenous tribes and foreign ships were common, so the lighthouse was fortified with military-grade defenses, making it one of the world’s rare “armed lighthouses.” A visit to Eluanbi isn’t just about seeing a historic structure—it’s a chance to uncover a little-known piece of Taiwan’s maritime past.
Eluanbi Lighthouse Opening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday. No. 90, Dengta Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung
03｜The Southernmost Point of Taiwan
At longitude 120°50'0" and latitude 21°53'34", this spot marks the southernmost point of Taiwan. When you arrive, you’ll see a symbolic monument representing this special location. To be honest, at first glance, it’s not immediately clear what the design means. That was until a friendly local enthusiastically explained: “Look! From one side, it resembles a bamboo shoot stretching towards the sky. But if you view it from another angle, it looks like a sea snail. It symbolizes the connection between land and ocean!” With that explanation, I finally had a reasonable interpretation of the monument.
The Southernmost Point of Taiwan Located near the Eluanbi Lighthouse.
04｜Chuanfan Rock
Along the coastline of Kenting, a massive rock stands tall in the sea. Many people think it looks like the side profile of former U.S. President Richard Nixon—and after comparing it with a photo, I have to admit, it does bear a resemblance! Standing about 18 meters high, this giant rock is an ancient coral reef that once broke off from a nearby plateau and tumbled down to the shore. Because its composition is harder than the surrounding coral, it has withstood the test of time and remains standing strong. Today, it is one of the most iconic landmarks along Kenting’s coastline.
Chuanfan Rock No. 652, Chuanfan Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Hengchuen
01｜Ah-Hong Noodle Shop
Ah-Hong Noodle Shop was recommended to me by the owner of my guesthouse. He’s been eating here since he was a kid and especially loves their beef noodle. Following his suggestion, I decided to try their "Three Treasures Beef Noodles," which comes with beef tendon, beef tripe, and beef chunks. Ah-Hong specializes in braised-style broth, which is rich and aromatic. The beef chunks are made from shank meat, making them tender and easy to chew. Personally, my favorite part was the beef tendon—packed with collagen, soaking up the flavorful broth, and melting in my mouth. Absolutely satisfying!
Ah-Hong Noodle Shop Opening Hours: 0900-2000 No. 100, Zhongzheng Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Pingtung
➤ Kanding | A Township Filled with the Aroma of Sesame Oil
➤ Linluo | A Village Full of Hakka Charm
➤ Nanzhou | Precious Memories of Taiwan's Sugar Industry