Kunshen Wang Peace Salt Festival: A Celebration of Faith and Industry The Kunshen Wang Peace Salt Festival, which combines the "Wangye Belief" and the "Salt Industry Culture," has entered its 21st year and has become one of the world's largest salt festivals. With the collaboration of the Tourism Bureau's Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration (referred to as the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Administration) and partners like the Nan Kunshen Daitian Temple, the festival won two awards in 2023: the "Taiwan Sustainability Action Award - Gold" and the "Asia Pacific Sustainability Action Award - Bronze," showcasing the cross-regional integration of sustainable actions recognized by both domestic and international judges.
The Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Administration held a press conference at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Notable attendees included Chief Secretary Fang Zhengguang of the Tourism Bureau, Vice Chairman Huang Qi-quan of Nan Kunshen Daitian Temple, Chairman Chen Renchang of Taiwan Guardian Cultural and Creative Company, and various industry representatives. This year's Peace Salt Festival, with Wu Fu Qiansui Wangye presiding, uses the auspicious red color as its theme, with a salt mound representing blessings. The guests attending the event raised flags symbolizing the festival's main message, inviting everyone to join the grand event on October 26 and 27 at the Nan Kunshen Daitian Temple in Beimen, Tainan, where tourism, industry, culture, and religion come together.
Salt Festival Trilogy: Connecting Industry and Faith
Chief Secretary Fang Zhengguang highlighted the three main rituals of the Kunshen Wang Peace Salt Festival: "Requesting Salt," "Offering Salt," and "Thanking Salt." The festival will include a cycling event, encouraging riders from across Taiwan to join. The "Requesting Salt" ceremony will take place on October 26 at the 206-year-old Jingzaijiao Salt Fields in Beimen, Tainan, where traditionally produced sea salt will be escorted to Nan Kunshen Daitian Temple for the "Offering Salt" ritual. The grand ceremony will see a sword and talisman blessing a 108-ton salt mound. The event will conclude on October 27 with the "Thanking Salt" ceremony, symbolizing the cycle of sustainability and development by returning the blessed salt to the Jingzaijiao Salt Fields.
"Kunshen Wang Peace Salt Festival Blessing Ceremony (Photo/Source: Tourism Bureau Website)"
Diverse Activities to Attract Participants
In addition to the blessing ceremony, this year’s festival will feature the "108 Blessing Project," allowing individuals and companies to purchase peace salt baskets containing blessing salt, customized peace documents, and commemorative gifts. The salt is said to have calming, wealth-attracting, and protective properties. Furthermore, the "Walking on Fire" challenge hosted by Nan Kunshen Daitian Temple offers a total prize of NT$500,000, attracting many participants. The festival will also include children's games and bilingual guided tours for the public.
"Tourism Market, Donate Invoices to Exchange for Peace Salt Bags, Evening Party and Stage Performances (Photo/Source: Tourism Bureau Website)"
Participating people can also participate in the North Gate Temple Tour, collect gold postcard stamps from Baoan Temple, Yonglong Temple, Xing'an Temple and Tai'an Temple, and enjoy a small trip that combines culture and faith.
The Kunshen Wang Peace Salt Festival: Embodying Sustainable Development
This year's event brings together many local businesses from Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan for a tourism market featuring local specialties. Other activities include exchanging receipts for peace salt bags, evening performances, and stage shows to engage visitors. For more information, visit the "Yunjia Nan, So Much Fun!!!" Facebook page.
