Taiwan's tallest Mazu statue, an 18-story high sculpture, to be inaugurated in Taichung on October 3

Taiwan's tallest Mazu statue, a towering 18-story high stone sculpture located in Taichung's Daan Port, is set to be inaugurated on October 3. The impressive structure, standing at approximately 30 meters tall including its base, is poised to become the highest Mazu statue on Taiwan's main island.

The Daan Port Mazu Cultural Park project, which began 13 years ago, has involved an investment of around 700 million New Taiwan dollars (approximately $22 million USD). The Mazu statue itself is a monumental work, meticulously assembled from 693 granite slabs, collectively weighing a staggering 1,170 tons. The design, created by artist Ke Jian-Hua, draws inspiration from the "Second Mazu" Lin Mo-niang statue at the Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, depicting Mazu with a crown, facing the sea, and embodying a protective stance over the coastal region of Taichung.

The construction of the statue has seen various phases and faced scrutiny over the years, including questions about the appropriateness of favoring a single religion. According to the Taichung City Government's Tourism and Travel Bureau, the project's development involved decisions made by the city council in 2014 to seek private sector funding for the statue, followed by the completion of the visitor center in 2017. A donation proposal for the statue was submitted in 2021, with construction commencing thereafter.

The inauguration ceremony on October 3 will also mark the opening of the 2026 Taichung Marine Tourism Season. The statue's completion signifies the culmination of a long-term vision for the cultural park, aiming to enhance tourism and cultural offerings in the Daan Port area.