Taiwan’s most legendary cultural festival, where people vie to be bombarded by exploding clusters of fireworks. 

The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival is a well-known folk activity that creates quite a stir during Taiwan’s Lantern Festival, attracting thousands of tourists every year. Together with the "Pingxi Sky Lanterns," the festivals are known as “lanterns in the north, beehive fireworks in the south.” The beehive fireworks have been an event for almost 150 years. The original purpose was to drive away a plague. It has since become a top-10 celebration in Asia, and famous throughout the world.

Fifteen days into the Chinese lunar calendar, on the evening of the Lantern Festival, the district launches millions of fireworks directly into eager crowds. Thousands don motorcycle helmets and protective gear, take a swig or two of liquid courage, and take to the streets for a chance to be battered by explosions. At this festival, nearly catching fire is considered a good thing.

Far from being just a burn threat, a rocket trapped inside a helmet can cause temporary hearing loss or permanent blindness. Nevertheless, people from all across Taiwan continue to travel to Yanshui for a shot at some luck of their own.

Know Before You Go

The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival occurs 15 days into the Chinese lunar calendar each year. It can be disorienting for outsiders, and public transport from Tainan City to Yanshui district is complicated. For the best possible experience, try to attend with someone who is a festival veteran. In addition, visitors who would like to come away with functioning sensory organs should plan to wear flame retardant clothes, a scarf, gloves, and a full face motorcycle helmet.

Protection Gear

If you plan to enter the firecraker zone in the sports field of Yanshui Junior High, you must wear full protective gear (as shown in the photo).

After you reach downtown Yanshui, you will find vendors selling thick jackets, helmets and gloves.