{"id":7117,"date":"2025-09-03T17:00:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T09:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=7117"},"modified":"2025-08-28T20:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T12:13:11","slug":"hengchuen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/hengchuen\/","title":{"rendered":"Pingtung \u25e6 Hengchun | Welcome to Hengchun Chiang Ku Festival! | TAIWAN 368-46"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, September 6, the annual religious event \u201cHengchun Chiang Ku Festival\u201d will take place. This year, 17 teams will compete for the championship banner!<\/p>\n

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\u2014one that many have never witnessed firsthand:\nThe \u201cChiang Ku\u201d (Pole-Climbing) Competition\u2014a jaw-dropping, high-stakes event that blends faith, courage, and ancient techniques, only performed once a year during the Ghost Festival.<\/p>\n

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

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

\ud83d\ude84 Taiwan High Speed Rail<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Car Rentals - Save Up to 10%<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udea2 Xiaoliuqiu - Donggang Ferry Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n

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

\ud83c\udfab National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Sleepover Experience at National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Paradise of Deer Ticket in Kenting<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Tickets for Kenting Luyu Island Capybara Ecological Park<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Shuangliu National Forest Recreation Area Tickets<\/a><\/p>\n

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

\ud83d\udea3\ud83c\udffb Stand Up Paddleboarding Experience in Kenting<\/a>
\n\ud83e\udd3f Water Activities at Kenting South Bay<\/a>
\n\ud83e\udd3f Liuqiu Snorkeling Tour by Bear Diving in Pingtung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Alangyi Hostoric Trail Hiking Day Tour<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The Past of Hengchun<\/span><\/h6>\n

Four hundred years ago, Hengchun wasn\u2019t just a quiet coastal town\u2014it 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Hengchun Chiang Ku Festival<\/span><\/h6>\n

The tradition of Chiang Ku and the \u201cGreased Pole Climb\u201d 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\u2014they built tall wooden towers (\u201cGu Shelves\u201d) where the offerings were placed at the top. Instead of an all-out brawl, participants had to climb up and fight for the offerings\u2014thus, the \u201cGreased Pole Climb\u201d was born! But this wasn\u2019t just any climb\u2014the wooden poles were covered in slippery beef fat, making the ascent nearly impossible without teamwork and strategy.\nToday, 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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019t a solo mission\u2014it\u2019s 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\u2014one mistake can send an entire formation crashing down. Finally, as the leading climber reaches the top, they snatch the \u201cShun Feng Flag\u201d (Victory Flag), signaling their team\u2019s triumph! The roar of the crowd at that moment is electrifying\u2014an unforgettable explosion of excitement, pride, and centuries-old tradition.<\/p>\n

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\u25e6 Attractions in Hengchuen<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cKenting National Park<\/h6>\n

Looking at the map, it\u2019s clear that Kenting National Park is massive, covering Hengchun, Manzhou, and parts of Checheng. Unlike most national parks, Kenting isn\u2019t just about mountains and forests\u2014it also extends into the ocean, protecting coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Two of Kenting\u2019s most iconic landmarks, Eluanbi Lighthouse and Taiwan\u2019s Southernmost Point, also fall within the park\u2019s boundaries.<\/p>\n

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Kenting National Park<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0800-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 596, Kending Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cEluanbi Lighthouse<\/h6>\n
At some point, Eluanbi Lighthouse became a must-visit for student graduation trips. Like many others, I didn\u2019t 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\u2019s southern waters, where hidden reefs posed a deadly hazard. However, this lighthouse isn\u2019t just for navigation\u2014it 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\u2019s rare \u201carmed lighthouses.\u201d A visit to Eluanbi isn\u2019t just about seeing a historic structure\u2014it\u2019s a chance to uncover a little-known piece of Taiwan\u2019s maritime past.<\/p>\n
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Eluanbi Lighthouse<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 90, Dengta Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cThe Southernmost Point of Taiwan<\/h6>\n
At longitude 120\u00b050'0\" and latitude 21\u00b053'34\", this spot marks the southernmost point of Taiwan. When you arrive, you\u2019ll see a symbolic monument representing this special location. To be honest, at first glance, it\u2019s not immediately clear what the design means. That was until a friendly local enthusiastically explained: \u201cLook! 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!\u201d With that explanation, I finally had a reasonable interpretation of the monument.<\/p>\n
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The Southernmost Point of Taiwan<\/strong>\r\n\r\nLocated near the Eluanbi Lighthouse.<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cChuanfan Rock<\/h6>\n
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\u2014and 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\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n
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Chuanfan Rock<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 652, Chuanfan Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Restaurants and Snacks in Hengchuen<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cAh-Hong Noodle Shop<\/h6>\n
Ah-Hong Noodle Shop was recommended to me by the owner of my guesthouse. He\u2019s 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\u2014packed with collagen, soaking up the flavorful broth, and melting in my mouth. Absolutely satisfying!<\/p>\n
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Ah-Hong Noodle Shop<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-2000\nNo. 100, Zhongzheng Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n