The art stays on the salt mountain, and the salt festival opens in November

TAINAN, 20 October 2026 — The 2026 sculpture season “One Look, Two Carvings” (一見雙雕藝術季) closed in August, and some of the works are still up for visitors at Qigu Salt Mountain. The same reports point people, after the mountain, to the Kunshen King Peace Salt Festival (鯤鯓王平安鹽祭) on 7 and 8 November. The festival uses Nankunshen Daitian Temple and the Jingzaijiao tile salt pans, both on the Beimen coast.

The salt rites come in three parts. At 7:00 on 7 November, “asking for the salt” (請鹽) is held at the Jingzaijiao pans. From 9:05 to 11:00 the same morning, “offering the salt” (祭鹽) moves to Nankunshen Daitian Temple. At 15:00 on 8 November, “thanking the salt” (謝鹽) returns to the pans. The reports describe the sequence as thanks for the salt, and as a way of saying the coast and the people still depend on each other.

On both days, a Korean company performs “Ten Thousand Gods” (韓國萬神演出) and other traditional blessing pieces, on the plaza in front of Wanshan Hall and on the main stage. The service desk offers free tours in Chinese and English on the afternoon of the 7th and through the day on the 8th. Each tour takes 10 people. Sign up at the desk 20 minutes before the session.

The moon-block contest (跋桮挑戰賽) is at the pavilion of the Five Kings Hall. It is open from 13:00 to 17:00 on 7 November and from 9:00 to 16:00 on 8 November, with prizes at 17:00 on the 8th. The reports list a special prize of NT$168,888, first prize NT$88,888, second NT$68,888, third NT$28,888, and 23 prizes of NT$6,888. Everyone who takes part is to receive one limited salt blessing bag.

Older visitors, people with disabilities, pregnant visitors, visitors from abroad, and people who take a photo and check in can use a faster line, once each, if they show the relevant card or the photo. From 10:00 to 17:00 the plaza in front of Wanshan Hall also exchanges a limited peace-salt bag. The reports say the collection note is given after a visitor leaves a set keyword. They do not print the keyword.

A stamp trail, “Salt, and then peace” (鹽續平安挑戰), gives out 500 small gifts a day at the family games, the prayer wall, and Wanshan Hall. The plaza in front of the hall is also a children’s day of old games, a magic show, picture-book readings, and bubbles. Finishing that course can be exchanged for a blessing-salt pack. The same grounds have a market, a circus set, a balloon show, a guitar duo, and older songs.

At 17:30 on 8 November the organizers hand out blessing salt. Visitors queue for the bag the staff provide. The reports say people may not bring their own container. Roads around the festival will be controlled. Follow the stewards.

Qigu Salt Mountain is at No. 66, Yancheng Village, Qigu District. In winter, November through February, the scenic area lists the grounds as open 8:30 to 17:30. Nankunshen Daitian Temple is at No. 976, Kunjiang Village, Beimen District. More News published reporter Li Wan-ru’s account on 20 October. Fourteen other outlets carried the same report. The photographs are credited to the Southwest Coast National Scenic Area Administration.