Donggang King Boat Festival

The Donggang King Boat Festival offers Taiwan’s most dramatic ritual, climaxing in the burning of a hand-built wooden plague ship that towers 8 meters high. This 2026 edition will feature 700+ volunteer craftsmen who spend over two months constructing the vessel using traditional joinery without nails. Its procession through Donggang's streets, lasting 12 hours, amplifies the community involvement. The event’s 20-boat fleet, each costing $15,000, underscores its scale and devotion.