The parade, which will run for 21 days, until April 18, marks the first visit by the statue from the Guan Yu Shrine to Taiwan.

Guan Yu, often referred to reverentially as Guan Gong or Guan Di, was a general of late Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) who is still worshipped by many Chinese and a figure of Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism, honored with small shrines in many traditional Chinese shops and restaurants.

Hu Suping, head of the Shanxi publicity ministry, said at the opening ceremony of the pilgrimage that the parade is expected to make the Taiwanese more familiar with Shanxi culture and to bring them more fortune and happiness.

Guo Taiming, the president of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Group, said that the parade has a historical significance for both Taiwan and the people of Shanxi, and that, speaking as a Shanxi person, he felt it a great honor to be asked to take part in the sacred Guan Yu welcoming ceremony. He said he hopes that this activity will bring prosperity and development to both Taiwan and Shanxi.

In fact, Guan Yu culture plays an important role in Taiwan and its people’s beliefs and there are more than 10 million Guan Yu worshipers there. The Guan Yu statue will pass through more than 10 counties in Taiwan, and take part in ceremonies at more than 100 temples.

This will be accompanied by many other events, such as artistic performances and cultural activities, as a way of giving the Taiwanese a taste of Shanxi folk culture and Guan Yu culture and Yuncheng’s tourism resources.