August Flights to Taiwan Offer Ghostly Festival

Keelung ghost festival kicks off in August

Travellers to Taiwan are in for a treat this August as the eighth month of the year notes the start of the Keelung Ghost Festival. Held during August the festival, which has both Taoist and Buddhist origins, is celebrated throughout the country with the most important events occurring in the north-eastern port of Keelung.

With flights to Taiwan readily accessible from London Heathrow a number of providers including Thai Airways, Evaair and Virgin Atlantic provide services to Taiwan’s airports. Those looking to encounter the celebrations of Keelung should fly to Taipei, a beautiful place to visit in itself and only 51km away from the port town celebrations. Once in the coastal town tourists can expect to see a range of festivities and celebrations laid on for the event which includes traditional rituals, parades, offerings to the spirits of the deceased and folkloric performances. 

An annual event the Keelung Ghost Festival starts as the gateway to the underworld and opens at the beginning of August, allowing departed family, friends and even enemies to emerge. In a bid to celebrate the arrival of such loved ones, and avoid the evil from possible enemies, locals create an elaborate festival to entertain the dead including vibrant operatic performances and lavish feasts. Meanwhile an exuberant and boisterous atmosphere is created to stop spirits from doing anything untoward during their month on earth whilst paper money is burnt to keep them happy and lanterns placed in the waterways and rivers to appease drowned souls. 

A truly unique traditional festival in modern day the Keelung Ghost Festival will enthral visitors with its rich vibrancy. And as long as tourists do not mind a ghostly presence, a trip to Taiwan during August is a once in a lifetime event. 

Posted by Cathy, 24 June 2010 13:49

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