Taiwan's Nine Day Mazu Pilgrimage

Pilgrims cross Xilou Bridge carrying a sedan chair holding a statue of the goddess Mazu on day three of the nine day Mazu pilgrimage on April 15, 2018 in Xilou, Taiwan. The annual Mazu Pilgrimage begins at Jenn Lann Temple in Taichung and sees around 200,000 pilgrims walk up to 12 hours each day for nine days carrying a statue of Chinese sea goddess Mazu in a sedan chair. The journey covers around 350 kilometres, much of it through mountainous and rugged terrain and visits more than 100 temples before returning to Taichung. The centuries-old pilgrimage is now recognised by UNESCO as living heritage and with an estimated 5 million participants spread over the nine days, it is considered to be one of the greatest religious festivals in the world. (Footage by Carl Court/Getty Images)