Festivals in Fujian

Fujian Meizhou Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival

*Time: The 23rd day if the third lunar month, and the Ninth day of the ninth lunar month

*Venue: Meizhou Island, Putian City, Fujian Province

*Origin: Mazu, whose actual name was Lin Moniang, was born on the 23rd of the third lunar month in 960. During her lifetime, she offered medical natural born weather forecasting ability, she saved the lives of many fishermen from menace of typhoons. Lin Moniang died on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month at the age of 28. Touched by her kindness and good deeds, the local people greatly respected her and eventually deified her as Sea Goddess and Holy Mother who could bring them blessings. Locals built a temple on Meizhou Island to offer sacrifices to her soon after her death. A large sacrificial ceremony is held every year on her birthday and the anniversary of her death, respectively. As time went by, Goddess Mazu has had profound and extensive influence among the people in the southeastern coastal areas of China and Taiwan.

*What’s On: on the birthday of Goddess Mazu which falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month and the anniversary of her death on the ninth day of the ninth month, thousand of pilgrims, many from Taiwan, come to Meizou Island to pay homage to the Goddess at the Mazu Temple. During the festival, a great variety if activities are held, such as the sacirificial ceremony to Goddess Mazu, research on Mazu culture, arts and crafts on display and sale, performance of folk songs and dances, and the display of delicious Fujian cuisine.

*Main Tourist Attractions: Mazu Temple, Meiyu Goddess of Mercy, Sunrise at Guanlan, sunset at Meiwan, Jiubaolan Sandy Beach, the stone statue of Mazu, etc.
 
*Transport: Tourists may go to Meizhou Bay by public bus, where they can get on a steamboat to Meizhou Island.