Colourful Xuan Tian Shang Di parade lights up Kuching city centre

1 week ago 7

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Members of the public hold up their smartphones to record the colourful cultural event. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung

KUCHING (Jan 23): More than 200 contingents and decorated floats brought colour, culture and festive cheer to the Kuching Teochew Association’s Xuan Tian Shang Di Parade 2026, which enlivened the city centre here on Thursday night.

The vibrant annual event drew large crowds of locals and visitors, with members of the public lining the parade route well ahead of time to catch the celebrations.

Many were seen capturing the spectacle on their mobile phones and cameras.

The parade began at the Hiang Tiang Shang Ti Temple along Carpenter Street and proceeded through Ewe Hai Street, Wayang Street, Jalan Tabuan, Jalan Back Hock, Jalan Central, Jalan Padungan, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Main Bazaar, Gambier Street and Khoo Hun Yeang Street, before making its way to Padang Merdeka and concluding back at the temple.

Members of the public were already seen lining up by the side along these routes way before the celebration kicked off.

Beyond its religious significance, the parade is one of the Kuching Teochew Association’s key annual events and enjoys strong support from various sectors of the Chinese community.

The Xuan Tian Shang Di Parade 2026 drew huge crowds as they made their way through the streets of Kuching. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung

The event has also been listed as a must-see attraction on the Sarawak Tourism Calendar, reflecting its growing appeal as a cultural and tourism highlight.

Officiating at the parade, Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the event has the potential to gain further popularity, similar to the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple procession.

He believed that the Xuan Tian Shang Di Parade can emerge as a national tourism product and gradually make a mark on the world map.

“The Xuan Tian Shang Di Parade is not merely a religious celebration, but a colourful event that brings people closer together, promotes cultural heritage and fosters unity within the community,” he said when representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the event.

In conjunction with this celebration, the Kuching Teochew Association will host a ‘Fu Yuan Shan Qing’ bidding dinner at the Lau Ya Keng Foodcourt in Carpenter Street on Friday (Jan 23).

Devotees and attendees can bid for offerings for the deity during the dinner, praying for blessings.