Tainan City's pilgrimage procession "Back to Baijiao (學甲上白礁)" was added to the list of important folk customs and Xuejia Ciji Temple was designated as its preserver in 2022 by the Ministry of Culture. On the occasion of the grand festival on April 30, Vice Minister Lee Lien-chuan (李連權) presented a national folk customs recognition certificate to the temple on behalf of Culture Minister Shih Che. The certificate was received by the vice chairman of Xuejia Ciji Temple Chen Chun-nan (陳俊男) and witnessed by Tainan City Vice Mayor Yeh Tse-Shan (葉澤山).
Xuejia Ciji Temple, built in 1701, is one of Taiwan's oldest temples and home to Bosheng Dadi (保生大帝), a deity of medicine venerated in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. The temple boasts a collection of valuable treasures, including six pieces of "Ye Wang cochin ware (葉王交趾陶)" that have been designated as national treasures, as well as hundreds of other ancient relics such as cochin ware, calligraphy, and more. In 1985, the temple became a designated historic site in Taiwan City. In 2022, "Back to Baijiao” became the 22nd most important folk custom in the country and the sixth in Tainan.
During the pilgrimage, Vice Minister Lee noted that "Back to Baijiao," which takes place every four years prior to Bosheng Dadi's birthday, involves the connotation of paying homage to ancestors by visiting Baijiao Township in Quanzhou, Fujian, China. This practice embodies the idea of respecting one's roots, preserving and inheriting traditional culture, and showcasing the spirit of unity and mutual assistance among the local people.
According to MOC, despite the historical and social changes, this century-old folk activity has been passed down through generations of believers living in Syuejia District, showcasing local identity and cultural vitality. The Ministry highlighted the importance of the involvement of local people in preserving and passing down folk cultural assets, along with the preservation of ritual ceremonies. MOC will collaborate with local communities to create and promote preservation and maintenance programs to ensure that Taiwan's folk cultural assets continue to thrive and showcase Taiwan's diverse cultural values.