By KHT Staff. Images via KH City Govt (2025).
KAOHSIUNG — The annual Neimen Songjiang Battle Array (內門宋江陣) festival will return from March 21 to April 5 at Zizhu Temple (紫竹寺) in Neimen District (內門區), bringing together religious rituals, performance competitions, and traditional banquet culture in one of southern Taiwan’s most distinctive folk events.
Organized by the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau (高雄市政府觀光局), the festival is rooted in centuries-old militia-style performance traditions, with troupes reenacting coordinated formations inspired by historical defense groups and classical literature. This year’s program features competitive performances by 11 teams from across Taiwan, with a total prize money of NT$2 million.
Opening ceremonies will feature traditional rituals, including a “Qingdao Lane” welcome procession and offerings to Guanyin, alongside performances by the Songjiang troupe, lion, and ox formations. A major highlight, the “Luohanmen Welcomes the Buddha” (羅漢門迎佛祖) procession, is scheduled for March 28–29 and April 4–5, with participants carrying out multi-day walking pilgrimages through the area.
Beyond performance and religion, the event also emphasizes Neimen’s reputation as a center of traditional banquet cuisine. The “Songjiang Grand Banquet” (宋江大宴) will be held on March 29–30 and April 4, featuring dishes prepared by master chef Hsueh Chih-lung (薛志龍), continuing a family culinary tradition. Tables are priced at NT$8,800 and highlight large-scale, classic Taiwanese banquet dining.
City officials say the festival is part of a broader effort to link cultural heritage with tourism development, drawing visitors not only to Neimen but also to nearby destinations such as Cishan (旗山) and Meinong (美濃) through guided tours and shuttle services.
Unlike more commercialized festivals, the Neimen Songjiang event remains closely tied to local religious practice and community identity, offering a rare combination of ritual, performance, and food culture in a single setting.
Source: China Times
