Travel to Donggang, a small fishing town on the south-west coast of Taiwan, to witness the Boat Burning Festival. This is a very local folk festival, far from cosmopolitan Taipei. The burning of the full-size sailed ship is meant to send the plague god back to the sea and bring safety and blessings to the community.

Arrive at midnight and stake out your spot among the thousands on the beach. Soak up the carnival-like atmosphere and ask for your own blessings by sending off a traditional sky lantern. When the boat finally makes its entrance it is ceremoniously packed with ghost money and set on fire. The last embers will still be burning as the sun comes up. Mind your timing though, this spectacle only takes place once every 3 years.

Written by  chris.

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