Taiwan's Hengchun 'Ghost Festival' pole climbing competition sees 17 teams battle, Toucheng team wins

Hengchun, Taiwan – The annual Ghost Festival pole climbing competition in Hengchun, Pingtung County, saw 17 teams battle for supremacy on Saturday night. The traditional "Shu Gu Peng" event, a significant folk custom and one of Taiwan's religious spectacles, culminated with the Toucheng "Qiang Gu" team ascending the pole in just about 11 minutes to claim the champion's flag and prize money.

The competition, held outside Hengchun's East Gate, is a major draw during the seventh lunar month, with "Southern Hengchun, Northern Toucheng" now recognized as key locations for this tradition. This year's event was overseen by Hengchun Mayor You Shijing and the organizing committee, ensuring fair play. The festivities included a warm-up performance by singer Sun Shu-mei and a popular "grab-a-prize" segment before the main competition, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Hengchun's "Shu Gu Peng" tradition traditionally features four pole pillars. While it was once held in front of the Hengchun Tudigong Temple, it was later expanded. The modern event includes not only the competitive climbing and traditional rituals but also concerts and street parades, transforming it into an annual cultural tourism event. The climbing technique, involving participants using their hands and feet to ascend the poles, or using tied cloth strips, is known as "shu" in Taiwanese Hokkien, hence the name "Shu Gu Peng."

While the Toucheng team secured first place, the "Kaosho Shanghang Kagoshima" team took second, and the "Daguang Guanlin Temple" team finished third. The event, which is held about half a month before Toucheng's similar competition, continues to be a vibrant display of cultural heritage and community engagement.

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Southern Hengchun, Northern Toucheng