Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage 2026

I attempted this year's Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage for the return trip portion which is planned to span 4 days and 3 nights with a direct driving distance of around 140 km. This major annual event is notorious for non-predictable detours, so the actual distance walked may be significantly longer.

The first day of the return trip started at 1 am on April 17, and ended at around 7:30 pm on the same day, after a long trek of 53.55 km. My legs gave out before we reached our destination for the first day, and had to complete the remaining ~ 3 km or so by hitching a ride on one of many free civilian cars/trucks offering to transport those who are unable to walk. I had hoped a night's rest would heal my knees and feet, which hurt on every step that I took, but alas it was not to be. We got around 5 hours of sleep that night.

The second day started at 4 am, but we slept until 5 to continue our walk. Our worst nightmares have realized, injuries from the previous day have not yet recovered, not even a bit. We soon face the harsh reality that our journey may have to end prematurely. After a slow, painful morning walk, we decided to call it a quits before noon came, and thus ended our Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage for 2026.