{"id":6267,"date":"2025-02-12T17:00:24","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T09:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=6267"},"modified":"2025-03-20T13:59:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T05:59:58","slug":"taitung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/taitung\/","title":{"rendered":"Taitung \u25e6 Downtown | Bombing of Lord Handan | TAIWAN 368\u201326"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy Lantern Festival! On this special day, when the Shang Yuan Heavenly Official bestows blessings, various festive events are held throughout Taiwan. Among the most famous are \"Sky Lanterns in the North, Beehive Fireworks in the South, Handan in the East, and Turtle Granting Contest in the West.\" In particular, the \"Handan in the East,\" which involves throwing firecrackers at Lord Handan, is celebrated in full excitement in downtown Taitung!<\/p>\n

In addition to its unique folk celebrations, Taitung boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, majestic mountains, and a rich Indigenous culture. A brief visit to Taitung would not do justice to all that it has to offer!<\/p>\n

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\u25e6 Taitung Travel Guide<\/span><\/h6>\n

01\uff5cTransportation in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude82 Pingtung-Lampi Jieyou Sightseeing Train<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udef5 Taitung Scooter Rental - Taitung Railway Station Pickup<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udea2 Green Island Ferry Tickets<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udea2 Taitung to Lanyu Ferry Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n

02\uff5cPopular Attractions in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfab Bunun Leisure Farm Ticket in Taitung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab National Forest Recreation Area Package: Taipingshan, Chinan, Fuyuan, Zhiben<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Chu Lu Ranch Admission Ticket in Taitung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Yuan Sen Garden Ticket in Taitung<\/a><\/p>\n

03\uff5cThings To Do in Taitung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea2 Green Island Multi-day Tour Package<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Taitung East Coast Guided Nature Tour<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udf88 Hot Air Balloon Ride<\/a>
\n\u2668\ufe0f Taitung Hongye Valley Green Energy Hot Spring Park Hot Spring Package<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The History of Taitung<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

The city of Taitung, formerly known as Taitung Township, is the largest county-administered city in Taiwan. This region was originally home to the Puyuma and Amis tribes. During the Dutch and early Qing periods, the area behind the mountains was generally referred to as Puyuma, and trade with the Han Chinese had already commenced at that time. It was during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty that the area was officially designated as the Puyuma Administrative District. Later, Liu Mingchuan, the Governor of Taiwan, renamed it Taitung Prefecture. Before the Japanese colonial period, more and more people migrated to Taitung, forming the town-like settlement. After Taiwan's retrocession, the area was reclassified as a township and officially named Taitung Township. On New Year's Day in 1976, it was officially upgraded to Taitung City.<\/p>\n

01\uff5cOld Taitung Station<\/h6>\n

Taitung Station, originally known as Taitung Yi, was opened in 1922 and renamed Taitung Station after World War II. The station building was demolished and rebuilt in 1964. In 1992, with the completion of the South Link Line, Puyuma Station was renamed Taitung New Station. In 2001, it was officially renamed Taitung Station. The old Taitung Station was decommissioned in 2001 and subsequently transformed into the Railway Art Village in 2003.<\/p>\n

Figure 1 depicts Taitung Station before the 1964 renovation.
\nFigure 2 depicts Taitung Station after the 1964 renovation.<\/p>\n

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02\uff5cFormer Taitung Bus Station<\/h6>\n

Located near Taitung Station, the Taitung Bus Station was demolished and rebuilt in 2011.<\/p>\n

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\u27a4 Photo credits and textual references:\u5348\u591c\u61f7\u820a\u96dc\u8b5a<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 Bombing of Lord Handan<\/span><\/h6>\n

Taitung's most famous Lantern Festival event is undoubtedly the Bombing of Lord Handan. This unique tradition features an individual portraying Lord Handan, who bears their upper body while being carried through the streets on a bamboo sedan chair, enduring a barrage of firecrackers. According to legend, Lord Handan, originally known as Zhao Gongming, was a military general from the Shang Dynasty who became the God of Wealth after his death, tasked with overseeing wealth in the heavenly realm. In folk belief, he is recognized as the Martial God of Wealth. It is said that Lord Handan feared the cold; therefore, as he parades through the streets, people throw firecrackers at him to ward off the chill. This is the origin of the Bombing of Lord Handan.<\/p>\n

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The Bombing of Lord Handan began in 1951. Due to the intense nature of enduring firecracker explosions, the event was once banned by the police. However, after efforts from believers, the practice returned to Taitung. Since 1998, the event has been held in collaboration with the local government, becoming a highlight of the Lantern Festival. It has been featured by major international media outlets such as Discovery, CNN, and NHK.<\/p>\n

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During the event, a statue of Lord Handan is strapped to a bamboo chair, carried by four bearers, while the living person portraying Handan, known as the \"Living Handan,\" parades through the streets. The Living Handan wears only shorts, a red headband, and carries a branch of banyan leaves. He also wears a talisman for protection, symbolizing a plea for divine protection from the firecrackers. Given the intensity of the event, it is strongly recommended that spectators who wish to observe up close use earplugs and safety goggles. Although the firecracker display may not be as intense as the Beehive Fireworks, the exploding firecrackers and deafening noise still present significant risks, and safety should always be a top priority.<\/p>\n

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\u25e6 Attractions in Taitung<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cHsuan Wu Tang<\/h6>\n

In the early days, the statue of Lord Handan was hosted by various devotees on a rotating basis. It wasn't until 1989 that the rotating host took the statue home, subsequently constructing a temple and naming it Hsuan Wu Tang, which finally provided Lord Handan with a permanent place of worship.<\/p>\n

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On the day of the Lantern Festival, the temple is bustling with activity. Devotees continuously arrive to pay their respects, and even international journalists are drawn to cover the event. Each time I see Taiwan\u2019s folk culture showcased in the international media, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride!<\/p>\n

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Hsuan Wu Tang<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 2-1, Zhengqi Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cTaitung Railway Art Village<\/h6>\n
Built in 1922 and decommissioned in 2001, the old Taitung Station, with its 80-year history of railway artifacts and environment, was transformed into the \"Taitung Railway Art Village\" as part of a government initiative.<\/p>\n
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Here, visitors can explore the old station's platform, carriages, and tracks up close. In the evenings, the site comes alive with markets and vendors, making it one of the few nighttime attractions in Taitung.<\/p>\n
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Taitung Railway Art Village<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 369, Tiehua Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cFugang Fishing Harbor<\/h6>\n
Due to its prime location, Fugang Fishing Harbor serves as the main transit hub for trips to Green Island and Orchid Island. The convergence of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents brings abundant fish stocks, and the fresh catches draw many visitors.<\/p>\n
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Fugang Fishing Harbor, along with the nearby Xiaoyeliu and Jialulan Recreation Area, creates a popular tourist route, making it an ideal destination for a half-day trip.<\/p>\n
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Fugang Fishing Harbor<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 297, Fugang St., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cBeinan Cultural Park<\/h6>\n
Looking at the information boards at Beinan Cultural Park, I was completely stumped by these two questions:
\n\"Who lived here during prehistoric times?\"
\n\"How long ago did the Beinan culture exist?\"
\nThe Beinan people are the answer, with their activities dating back approximately 5,300 to 2,300 years ago.<\/p>\n
The park was established following the discovery of the Beinan cultural site, which also lent its name to this culture. Today, the areas of Taitung City and Beinan Township are home to many communities of the Beinan tribe. However, the Beinan people are not closely related to the modern Beinan tribe. Based on excavated pottery, jade artifacts, and the mysterious \"crescent-shaped stone pillars,\" it is believed that the Beinan Culture may be more closely connected to the \"Saoba stone pillars\" found in Ruisui, Hualien, an area traditionally inhabited by the Amis people.<\/p>\n
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In addition to prehistoric artifacts, this first archaeological site park in Taiwan also features traditional Beinan tribal structures, including the youth assembly house, which served as an important gathering place to strengthen community bonds.<\/p>\n
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Beinan Cultural Park<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 200, Wenhuagongyuan Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Restaurants and Snacks in Taitung City<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cGuo Zhen Nong<\/h6>\n
Guo Zhen Nong has gained immense popularity since its opening by offering just one unique beverage: fruit bubble milk tea with no added sugar or ice. With an impressive 4.7-star rating on Google and numerous media features, it has become a must-try.<\/p>\n
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This dreamy, layered fruit bubble milk tea combines pitaya, gac fruit, pineapple, and fresh milk, along with pearls made from fruit. The drink offers a refreshing, sweet, and tangy fruit pur\u00e9e flavor that is perfectly balanced with the creamy richness of fresh milk, making it a delightful combination.<\/p>\n
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Guo Zhen Nong<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1000-1500, closed on Wednesday.\nNo. 4, Ln. 212, Datong Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cBlue Dragonfly Fast Food<\/h6>\n
When you visit Taitung, you must try Blue Dragonfly! The subtle hint of Chinese herbal fragrance in their fried chicken sets it apart and is difficult to find elsewhere. Unlike the thick breading typical of American fried chicken, Blue Dragonfly uses a wet batter seasoned with Chinese spices, resulting in a flavorful, crispy outer layer. One bite reveals juicy meat that bursts with flavor, making it an incredibly satisfying experience!<\/p>\n
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Blue Dragonfly Fast Food<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1030-2300, closed on Monday.\nNo. 214, Datong Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cA-Hong Fried Chicken<\/h6>\n
Compared to Blue Dragonfly, A-Hong Fried Chicken boasts a thicker crust and a more pronounced peppery aroma. However, depending on the frying time that day, some pieces of meat, aside from the drumsticks, were slightly dry. Despite their fundamental differences in flavor, both establishments have loyal supporters. The long lines at each restaurant during meal times are a testament to the love Taitung locals have for their fried chicken!<\/p>\n
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A-Hong Fried Chicken<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1530-2200, closed on Tuesday.\nNo. 606, Xinsheng Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cJung Shu Hsia Short Rice Noodles<\/h6>\n
Jung Shu Hsia Short Rice Noodles offers a simple yet satisfying flavor that never becomes tiresome. The delightful aromas of dried fish, braised pork, and chives make the thick rice noodles truly delicious.<\/p>\n
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Jung Shu Hsia Short Rice Noodles<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1000-1430, 1630-1930, closed on Wednesday.\nNo. 323, Zhejiang Rd., Taitung City, Taitung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n