A stage was set up on the side of the road to perform a traditional Taiwanese performance, a glove puppetry

While walking through Lukang Old Street, a burst of color suddenly caught the corner of my eye—a vivid stage, almost as if it had leapt straight out of a picture book. Boldly painted dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers adorned the structure, swirling with life and symbolism. It was a mobile puppet theater, set up right there along the street.

A sign above read “Da Ziran Palm Puppet Troupe.” This was the stage for budaixi, Taiwan’s traditional glove puppetry. In budaixi, also known as palm theater, puppeteers control ornate dolls with one hand, bringing mythic tales to life. These shows were once common at temples and street fairs, though it’s said they’re becoming rarer today.

Still, here in Lukang, the tradition seems to have held on. The presence of this portable theater wasn’t just a nostalgic echo—it felt woven into the rhythm of the town’s daily life, as if the puppets still had stories to tell, and people still stopped to listen.

Lukang Old Town on Google Map

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