Types of Leisure Programmes

Festivals & Events

Chinese New Year The Spring Festival, of Chinese New Year, is celebrated from the first day to the fifth day of the first lunar month. People refer to this festival as "passing the year," which means shooing out the old and welcoming in the new; it is considered the most important Chinese holiday of the year. There are a number of related customs and traditions that go along with the festival. Normally, on the 23rd or 24th day of the last month, people sacrifice to the Hearth God and send him off on his annual journey to Heaven; this signals the start of the Chinese New Year holidays. On Chinese New Year's Eve, families complete their spring cleaning signifying the sweeping away of misfortunes of the previous year. After the spring cleaning, a New Year's cake is made (the cake is a symbol of "reaching new heights"). The 29th day of the final lunar month is when families stick up spring couplets and New Year prints on their doors and windows to bring good luck. On the 30th day of the last month, families gather together for a New Year's meal, called the "Gathering Around the Stove." Adults then give the younger members of the family, particularly children, red envelopes with cash inside. This monetary gift is thought to bring peace and good fortune to the recipient. Then there is the "Keeping of the Year," which is seeing the old year out and the New Year in by staying up on New Year's Eve. This starts after the family has finished eating the New Year's Eve dinner. Once the clock strikes midnight, firecrackers are exploded to welcome the arrival of the New Year. Chinese New Year also includes the practice of going around to friends and relatives to offer New Year greetings on the 1st day of the year, going to the home of the wife's family on the 2nd, welcoming the God of Wealth on the 4th, and reopening business on the 5th. Lantern Festival The Lantern festival is also known as the "little-New Year." Aside from the usual worship of the gods, the occasion involves guessing lantern riddles, eating rice-flour dumplings, and releasing lanterns into the sky in Pingxi Township. The Yanshui Beehive Rocket Festival in Tainan County is another major event during the Lantern Festival. Colorful and lanterns of all sizes and shapes have always been main attractions of the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated with a grand national festival and major festival in Taipei and Kaohsiung. The Taipei Lantern Festival is held for several days at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, reaching its peak on the day of the Lantern Festival itself. There is a gigantic lantern depicting this year's Chinese zodiac animal, which is the centerpiece of the festival. There are also many traditional lanterns, electromechanical lantern displays, and large themed lantern floats designed by different companies. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is held on the Love River. During the festival period, both sides of the river as well as Wufu Rd., Heping Rd., Guangzhou St., and other thoroughfares have lantern exhibitions. There are also musical performances, helping to out the whole city is in a festive mood. Dragon Boat Festival Together with Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival is one of Taiwan's three major annual holidays. Because of its origins and customs, it is closely related to the remembrance of Cyuyuan, a poet who lived during the Warring States Period; that is why, from ancient times, people have also referred to the Dragon Boat Festival as the" Poet's Festival." At the time of the Dragon Boat Festival, the most common customs are holding dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings called zongzi. Legend has it that when the poet Quyuan jumped to his death into the Miluo River, the local people rowed their boats to and fro in search of him; later, this slowly evolved into the dragon boat races. Today, dragon boat races are a popular activity famous both in Taiwan and abroad; most local areas of the island hold their own races. Each year, there is an international dragon boat race with teams from Taiwan and abroad competing. The practice of making zongzi came from the people who were to save Quyuan from the fate of being eaten by the fish. The people stuffed rice into bamboo sections and threw them into the river to feed the fish; today, the dumplings are wrapped in leaves and eaten by people. Zhongyuan Festival The seventh month on the lunar calendar is the Chinese Ghost Month. Traditionally, it starts from dawn on the first day, when the gates of the netherworld open, and ends on the 29th day of the month, when the gates close. People holt rituals to petition for salvation from disasters and misfortune during the celebration, which reaches a peak on the 15th day. Zhongyuan General Salvation Ceremonies In folk tradition, on the day of Zhongyuan Festival every household has to prepare meat, fruits, fresh flowers, and other sacrificial items; they then offer these to the hungry ghosts at a temple, or on a temporary altar table set up in front of their homes. They also ask monks to say prayers for their deceased loved ones as well as those lost souls who have no living descendants left on earth. This is known as Zhongyuan Pudu, or General Salvation. The ceremonies take place in temple and on streets. On the afternoon of the Pudu, local residents prepare offerings and carry them to the main altar at a temple to join in the ceremonies there. For the street festivities, local residents prepare chicken, duck, and fish for offerings in front of their homes in a ceremony known as doorway worship. Launching of the Water Lanterns The launching of water lanterns is a longstanding custom. Its most important purpose is to help light the way for the lost souls in the water, call the souls to come on land to enjoy the offerings, and pray for the early reincarnation of these souls. It is also said that the farther a lanterns floats, the better the fortune that the clan it represents will enjoy in the coming year. Grappling with the Ghosts Grappling with the Ghosts is a pole-climbing competitions held during the Ghost Month. In Taiwan today, it is carried out only in Toucheng, Yilan County and Hengchun, Pingtung County. Of these two locales, Toucheng, has the bigger celebration. In the early days, people migrating to Yilan from Guangdong and Fujian provinces were beset by natural disasters, accidents, and diseases, and many of them died. Because they became afraid that nobody was going to be left to make offerings after they were gone, and that their souls would have nowhere to go, every year during this festival they held pole-climbing ceremonies to remember those who had passed away. Since Toucheng was the first city in the Yilan area to be developed, residents of its eight major districts jointly hold the general salvation ceremony. They also chose the last day of the month-the day when the gates of the netherworld close-to hold a major pole-climbing competition. Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival, and it is a holiday with a most romantic atmosphere. Because this holiday occurs during the autumn, at a time when harvest season is over, people in earlier days chose this day to make offerings and thank the gods for the bounty of the year. This became a time for families to get together. The most familiar myth concerning this festival is that of Chang-er flying to the moon after secretly drinking her husband's elixir of life. Aside from this, there are also tales of the Jade Rabbit and "Wu chopping down the cinnamon tree." Because most of the activities held during this holiday are related to the moon, it has come to be known as moon day. Important activities at this time include the eating of moon cakes, which symbolize unity and togetherness; strolling under the full moon; and eating pomelos, since the Chinese term for pomelo sounds like "care and protection." As for the barbecues that are held on this holiday, the custom is a recent one in which families and friends get together and enjoy a meal. Kuanyin’s Birthday Kuanyin is the goddess of mercy, and festivals in her honor are held at Buddhist temples all over Taiwan on her Birthday- the 19th day of the second moon. Matsu’s Birthday One of the main Taoist deities is Matsu- the goddess of the sea, who protects and blesses fisherman and sailors and is often prayed to by those embarking on a long journey over the sea. On her birthday (the 23rd day of the 3rd Moon), celebrations in her honor are held at Tao Temples.

More info on Lantern Festival!

Taiwan Lantern Festival The Tourism Bureau has been holding the Taiwan Lantern Festival for 20 years to attract visitors and raise the international profile of the cultural charms of Taiwan. Traditionally, the festival has been celebrated by carrying hand lanterns. The Taiwan Lantern Festival adds a high-tech to this traditional custom and brings the event to the international stage. From to the theme lantern displays to folk arts and performances, the festival has become a perennial favorite of locals and foreign visitors alike. Taipei & Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Colorful and lanterns of all sizes and shapes have always been main attractions of the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated with a grand national festival and major festival in Taipei and Kaohsiung. The Taipei Lantern Festival is held for several days at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, reaching its peak on the day of the Lantern Festival itself. There is a gigantic lantern depicting this year's Chinese zodiac animal, which is the centerpiece of the festival. There are also many traditional lanterns, electromechanical lantern displays, and large themed lantern floats designed by different companies. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is held on the Love River. During the festival period, both sides of the river as well as Wufu Rd., Heping Rd., Guangzhou St., and other thoroughfares have lantern exhibitions. There are also musical performances helping to out the whole city is in a festive mood. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is one of the most colorful activities of the Lantern Festival. Pingxi is a remote hillside town. In former times, those who worked or farmed in the mountains faced the risks of being robbed or killed; so the people used lanterns to tell their families they were safe. The lanterns have lost their function as a warning signal, and today they are a symbol of peace and good fortune. Yenshui Fireworks Festival The fireworks display put on by the God of War Temple in Yanshui, Tainan County is one of the more popular and much awaited events during the Lantern Festival. The display starts one day before the Lantern Festival with the tour of the god's sedan chair, accompanied by the discharge of firecrackers. The noise, lights, and festivities that follow continue well into the following morning. Bombing of Master Han Dan The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month with a series of activities throughout Taiwan. Among the highlight events at this time is the inspection tour of the deity Master Han Dan in Taitung City. As guardian of the celestial treasury, Han Dan is revered today as a god of wealth, but people believe that he was once a real person named Chao Kung-ming. When the god makes his annual inspection tour of the earthly world, crowds turn out to pray for his blessing and good fortune. On the day of the festival, Han Dan is also joined by other gods of the temples in various townships and Taitung on tours of the community. Households in these areas prepare offerings of fresh flowers and fruit and light strings of firecrackers to welcome the Han Dan. The person representing the god on the tour wears only a headscarf, mask and pair of red shorts. He stands courageously amidst the fusillade of firecrackers protected only by a tree branch. There are several stories as to why the people throw firecrackers at Han Dan. In one version, it is because Han Dan is the god of hooligans and his power grows with the loudness of the explosions. A less widely accepted explanation is that Han Dan is afraid of the cold, so the people throw firecrackers at the god during his tour to keep him warm and win his blessing.

Information Source: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002021

Hsinchu International Glass Art Festival The establishment of Hsinchu City Craft Glass Museum in 1999, the first glass museum in Taiwan, aims to promote Hsinchu's glass industry by joining the resources of culture and tourism. Its main functions are to research Taiwan's glass manufacturing technology, collect and display glass artworks. In addition, the glass workshop hosting live glass making demonstration is organized to help visitors learn to appreciate the artworks and how to make, paint, and reuse glass. And there is also symposium, led by experts, artists and scholars from Taiwan and abroad is held for visitors that work in the glass industry. Since the glass festival was hosted by Hsinchu City Government in 1995, it has provided the opportunity for the exchange of glass arts. The artists from different countries share their experiences and ideas, and this also offers a best chance for local glass art industry to promote their achievements. Sanyi Wood-Carving Festival The town of Sanyi situated in the southern part of Miaoli County is known internationally as the center of wood carving in Taiwan. The town's wood-carving industry originated back in the 1920s and, in those days, concentrated on oddly shaped pieces of natural wood. The golden age of wood carving in the area came in the 1970s, when most of the products were exported. Facing the recession in 1980s due to the energy crisis worldwide, and this gave the wood-carving industry the opportunity to think how to elevate their products from commodities to artworks. The establishment of the Museum of Wood Sculpture in 1995 prompted numerous wood carvers from other places to gravitate to Sanyi and develop their own styles of artistic creation, and Sanyi became known as a specialized wood-carving area and won the name of "Wood-Carving Town". The Sanyi Wood-Carving Festival has been held in May yearly since 1990 and attracted visitors from all over the island. Through the participation of local wood-carving artists and the exchange of ideas and techniques, their unique styles has been developed and even known in international circles, and this also leads to the development of cultural and tourism resources. The activities include wood-carving exhibition, color wood-carving DIY, wood-carving market, a series of Hakka life and culture shows, etc. (資料來源:全球華文網路教育中心)

Information Source: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002025

The mysterious customs and traditions of the aborigines, Taiwan's indigenous people, such as the Harvest Festival (Smatto), the Worship of Hunting (Mabuasu), spiritual rituals, totemism, and snake worship, give an extra dimension to Taiwan's culture. The aboriginal tribes of Taiwan form the most northern branch of the Austronesian language group, and ethnically belong to the Malay race. Most aborigines have retreated into the mountains; but although many are faced with assimilation, still some 14 different tribes that have their own languages, traditions, and tribal structure can be distinguished: the Amis, the Atayal, the Paiwan, the Bunun, the Puyuma, the Rukai, the Tsou, the Saisiyat, the Tao (or Yami), the Thao, the Kavalan, the Truku, the Sakizaya, and the Sediq. Mayasvi Ceremony Tsou The Mayasvi is the holiest of all the ceremonies of the Tsou tribe. In the early years, it was held before a battle or hunt. Today, it is held annually in February and is alternately organized by the communities of Dabang and Tefuye in Chiayi County. The ceremony is held at the tribal gathering place for men (Kupah). The tribe's war ceremony includes the rites of triumph, head rites, rites for the heads of the enemies, and welcoming rites for the gods. The Ear-shooting Festival Bunun The Ear-shooting Festival is the most important celebration of the Bunun people. Held from the end of April to the beginning of May, the celebration is divided into sowing rites, hunting rites, and ear-shooting; pig roasting, apportioning the meat, and storing the meat; work celebrations, witch inductions, and other major activities. The traditional ear-shooting ceremony starts well before the celebration itself when the young men of the tribe go into the mountains and hunt. Then they cut off the ears of the their kills, stick the ears on a pole or a tree branch for the village men to shoot with arrows. Small children, accompanied by their fathers and older brothers, also practice shooting arrows, hoping that this will enable them to become good hunters. The Short Spirit Ceremony Saisiyat The Sacrifice to the Short Spirits is the most important traditional rite of the Saisiyat Tribe, with a smaller ceremony every two years and a large ceremony every 10 years. The festival is held around the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, at the end of the harvest season, and lasts for four days and three nights. The first day of the festival starts with welcoming of the spirits, when tribal elders offer wine and meat and then, facing to the east, pray to welcome the Short Spirits. The second day is for entertaining the spirits, which is the centerpiece of the entire festival. The tribes engage in festivities and dancing to commemorate the Short Spirits. On the last day, rites for sending the spirits off are performed. At the appropriate time, the tribes throw sheaves of grass and hazel wood sticks toward the east, signifying that the Short Spirits have already departed. After that, the rice wine, pork, and rice cakes that were offered are given to the participants, bringing the festival to an end. New Year Ritual Puyuma The "Monkey Ceremony" and the "Hunting Ceremony" are together referred to as the annual ritual of the Puyuma tribe. The Puyuma were traditionally the most warlike of Taiwan's aboriginal peoples. Every year toward the end of December, the tribe holds a Monkey Ceremony. Considered the most unique of the Puyuma rites, the Monkey Ceremony is a rite of passage that marks the entry of tribal boys into manhood. Many call it the Monkey Piercing Ceremony as young men of the tribe go through a series of strict trials, the most important of which is the piercing of a monkey with a bamboo staff. This is thought to build courage and cooperation among the young people. Participants have to complete four levels of trials, after which they are allowed to take part in the hunting ceremony. This requires a young boy to be able to hunt down a wild animal within five days. After this, the young boy is considered a man eligible for marriage. Flying Fish Festival Tao The existence of the Tao tribe is closely intertwined with the Flying Fish Festival. Each year the flying fishes come with the Kuroshio Current from January to June, and this brings a rich harvest of fish for the Tao tribe living on Orchid Island. That is why the tribes people believe that these fish are gifts from the gods, and why they treasure this natural resource. Some of the tribe's social norms and taboos are also closely associated with the coming and going of the flying fish. The Flying Fish Festival is a fishing ceremony held sometime beginning in the second or third month of the lunar calendar, and it runs for approximately four months. The festival is divided into different parts including the blessing of the boats, praying for a bountiful catch, summoning the fish, first fishing night ceremony, fish storing ceremony, and fishing cessation ceremony. The men of the tribe wear loincloths, silver helmets, and gold strips, and face the sea to pray for a bountiful catch. Participation is restricted to men. Amis Harvest Festival Amis The Harvest Festival is the largest a festival of the Amis tribe. Held annually during the months of July and August, the festival has three stages, including welcoming the spirits, feasting the spirits, and sending the spirits off. In modern times, the ceremony has been shortened and the religious ceremonies simplified. Several activities have been added, including a race, tug-of-war and arrow shooting competition. The festivities, once limited to tribal participation, are now open to the general public.

Information Source: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002023

Sports

Some of the most popular sports played in Taiwan are baseball, basketball, badminton, table tennis and various martial arts. One unqiue sport in Taiwan is Diabolo.

Baseball (National Sport)

Baseball is the most popular spectator and team sport in Taiwan. Professional Baseball in Taiwan was initiated by Chinese Professional Baseball League in 1989 and the first official match was played in 1990. Till 2006, Taiwan had only one professional league, the Chinese Professional Baseball League and six professional baseball teams. On an average the matches receive the support of 3,000 spectators per game.

In 2005, an outstanding player, Chien-Ming Wang’s success attracted the attention of all the baseball fans in Taiwan. His performance as a “Son of Taiwan” representing the country in the world’s capital of New York pushed the prestige of baseball in Taiwan to the peak, testifying to the glory and pride of Taiwanese baseball over the past hundred years.

Basketball

Basketball is growing in popularity in the fecund sports arenas of Taiwan. Basketball in Taiwan is especially popular among the school children. Over 90 percent of Taiwan’s schools have basketball courts and more students play basketball than any other ball games. One of the major basketball leagues in Taiwan is the Super Basketball League, which was founded in 2003.

Football

FIFA recognizes Taiwan as the Chinese Taipei National Football Team in international matches. The Chinese Taipei Football Association was established in mainland China under the name China Football Association in 1924. Taiwan's best performance came in 1960 when it secured third place in the Asia Cup.

Golf

Golf is an extremely popular sport in Taiwan. There are numerous well-spread lush green courses. Most of the golf courses remain open the whole year. Lin Keng-chi is one of the most successful golfers in Taiwan.

Tennis

Though tennis is a widely played sport in Taiwan, not many players have emerged from the island. The most famous tennis player in Taiwan at present is the young Yen-Hsun Lu.

Volleyball

The national volleyball team of Taiwan is known as the Chinese Taipei national volleyball team. The team comprises tall promising athletic players. The national volleyball has not yet entered the world cup but it reached the second round in Asian Games.

Recreation

The following table shows the popular recreational activities in Taiwan:

Popular Recreational Activities in Taiwan

Activities	Unit: %
Nature trips	74.7
Nature observation	47.9
Camping, mountaineering, hiking	16.3
Plant/animal observation	10.5
Cultural activities	23.7
Religious activities	7.4
Exhibitions	5.5
Festivals, arts performances	5.2
Cultural relics appreciation	4.6
Traditional folk arts	1.0
Sports activities	8.0
Swimming, diving, windsurfing, water motorcycling	5.0
Canoeing, yachting, cruising, ferrying	1.7
Fishing	0.9
Playing or attending ball games	0.3
Paragliding	0.1
Recreational parks	4.8
Mechanical amusement rides	2.6
Theme parks	2.2
Others	48.0
Window shopping, shopping	14.6
Culinary enjoyment	16.6
Hot spring baths, spas	10.2
Taking a ride	1.8
Visiting orchards/tea gardens	1.3
Others	3.5
The above figures indicate the percentage of respondents in the survey who engaged in the corresponding recreational activities during domestic travel.

Information Source: http://www.taiwan.com.au/Soccul/Recreation/report01.html