Taiwan's exclusive century-old tradition, the Dragon God Ceremony, launches in grand fashion as part of the 2026 Lukang Dragon Boat Festival Celebration Series. This year marks a historic milestone as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the restoration of the Dragon God deity at Lukang Lungshan Temple. To commemorate the occasion, the County Government extended a special invitation to the Dragon God deity from Kongfan Temple in Mailiao, Yunlin. Both temples share deep historical ties, having been established under the guidance of the same master monk, Master Chun Zhen Pu. This historic first-ever “Gathering of the Twin Dragons” will bring both deities together to participate in the Dragon God Ceremony and the traditional Dragon Boat Eye-Dotting Ritual.  
 
In the morning, Changhua County Mayor Wang Hui-Mei, Yunlin County Mayor Chang Li-Shan, Dragon Boat Races Branch Chair of the Changhua County Sports Committee and County Councilor Tu Shu-Mei, Mailiao Kongfan Temple Chairman Lin Dong-He, and Lukang Lungshan Temple Chairman Shi Hui-Xiong will gather at the Lungshan Temple for the pilgrimage departure of the Dragon God deities from both temples. Led by a vibrant procession of local religious troupe and performance groups, the dragon boat teams will parade along Zhongshan Road to Lukang Mazu Temple, where they will formally invite Shuixian Zunwang (Lord Shuixian) to join the pilgrimage. In the afternoon, the ceremonial procession will arrive at the Fulu River, the venue for the upcoming dragon boat races. There, the solemn Dragon God Ceremony and the Dragon Boat Eye-Dotting Ritual will be held, officially launching the 2026 Lukang Dragon Boat Festival Celebration Series. 
 
The Dragon Boat Festival season is approaching, and the Dragon God Ceremony remains one of Taiwan's most iconic folk traditions. Every year on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, the celebration follows centuries-old customs by reverently inviting the Dragon God deity from Lungshan Temple to parade through town and inviting Shuixian Zunwang from Mazu Temple to proceed to the Fulu River. The Dragon God Ceremony, Eye-Dotting Ritual, and dragon boat water parade are then conducted to pray for safety, prosperity, and successful races and festivities. 
 
The highlight of this year's festival is the historic first-ever “Gathering of the Twin Dragons,” featuring the special participation of the Dragon God deity from Mailiao Kongfan Temple in Yunlin. Both Lungshan Temple and Kongfan Temple share deep cultural roots, having been founded under Master Chun Zhen Pu and both venerating the Dragon God deity. This joint celebration, held during the 60th anniversary of the restoration of Lungshan Temple's Dragon God deity, adds extraordinary historical significance to this year's ceremony. 
 
This year's dragon boat races will feature an even larger lineup of teams than ever before. Visitors from across Taiwan are warmly invited to visit Lungshan Temple, pay their respects, and experience the excitement of the dragon boat races. With the opening Dragon God Ceremony officially launching the festival series, a diverse lineup of holiday activities will follow. In addition to the highly anticipated International Dragon Boat Championships at Fulu River from June 19 to 21, the festival offers a rich program of cultural events. From June 18 to 21, the LuBen Ceremony will take place at the Assembly Hall of Asia Pacific Lukang Resort, showcasing masterworks of traditional craftsmanship. Meanwhile, Lukang Lungshan Temple will host traditional opera performances from June 20 to 21. On the Dragon Boat Festival holiday (June 19), the temple will embrace seasonal traditions by unveiling a visually striking giant tiger-shaped sachet installation designed for visitors to take photos, alongside a variety of interactive traditional children's games. As night falls, visitors can admire the illuminations of the Lukang Small Town Light Festival across the Old Street and surrounding historic areas, enjoy riverside concerts, and participate in a town-wide stamp rally. Together, these events beautifully showcase the harmony of history and art.