Teacher’s Day in Taiwan 台灣的教師節

When is Teacher’s Day in Taiwan?

September 28th every year.
In 2025, this holiday falls on a weekend, so it will be celebrated on Monday, September 29th, with a day off from work and school.

History of Teacher’s Day in Taiwan

Teachers’ Day in Taiwan R.O.C. was first proposed in 1931 before the Republic of China (ROC) had control of Taiwan, when Tai Shuangqiu and Cheng Qibao of the Central University issued a declaration calling for better treatment of teachers, protection of their work, and improvement of their professional development. They suggested June 6 as “Teachers’ Day,” also known as the “Double Six Festival,” but this proposal was never formally recognized by the government. Later, in 1939, the Ministry of Education designated the 27th day of the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar as Teachers’ Day, and even issued temporary regulations for its observance, yet the outbreak of WWII meant the holiday was never carried out in practice.

After the ROC government relocated to Taiwan, a new decision was made in 1952 to align Teachers’ Day with the birthday of Confucius on September 28. Since then, the day has been closely tied to Confucian tradition, with Confucius temples across the island holding solemn ceremonies of respect, while education authorities organize celebrations to honor the teaching profession. At these events, outstanding teachers and staff are recognized, and prestigious awards such as the Shiduo Award and the Education Dedication Award are presented. This tradition has continued into the present.

This day was designated a national holiday in 1963, but the holiday was abolished in 2000 when Taiwan adopted a two-day weekend system and changed to a commemorative day. However, it was reinstated as a public holiday in May 2025, when the Legislative Yuan passed legislation making September 28 an official national holiday. Starting that year, the entire country observes a day off, marking a new chapter in the recognition of teachers’ vital role in Taiwanese society.

How are Teachers treated in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, Teachers hold a high degree of respect and esteem, which is partly due to Confucian values that have been carried over from China. As a parent putting kids through a Taiwanese school, I can say that Teachers are put on a higher pedestal than parents. For instance, when my Taiwanese wife was in school, her parents believed everything the teacher said and agreed with all punishments, including corporal punishment that was abolished in the 1990s. Although values are changing in Taiwanese society, most people give high respect to teachers, especially older people.

What do people do on Teacher’s Day in Taiwan?

Honoring Teachers

During Teacher’s Day, educational units across the island hold Teacher’s Day celebrations, honoring senior and outstanding teachers and staff. Starting from 2025, teachers and everyone else in the country will get the day off from work. Students also often give presents to their teachers around this day.

Honoring Confucius

In Taiwan, Confucius’ Birthday is marked with solemn ceremonies held at Confucius temples across the island. The most notable of these is the “Sacrificial Rite to Confucius,” where officials, scholars, and students participate in a traditional offering ceremony that includes music, dance, and ritual observances to honor the ancient sage. These rites preserve centuries-old customs and emphasize Confucius’ enduring influence on Chinese culture and education.

The ceremonies draw large crowds, especially at famous temples such as the Taipei Confucius Temple and the Changhua Confucius Temple, where the performances of the yayue (elegant music) and yiwu (ritual dance) highlight the deep cultural reverence for Confucius. Visitors and participants view the day as a moment of reflection on Confucian values, as well as an important cultural heritage event that links Taiwan to its historical and philosophical traditions.

Traveling, shopping, Visiting Family, etc.

Teacher’s Day Festival is, after all, a national holiday, so workers have an extended weekend off to travel, including international travel, as well as shop, visit family, eat out at restaurants, see movies, etc. Oftentimes times families may already have gathered together to complete traditional tomb-sweeping duties.

My Experience as a Foreigner During Tomb Sweeping Day in Taiwan:

In the past, before Teacher’s Day was a national holiday, my wife would buy gifts for each of our children’s teachers. These were usually food, snacks, or other small gifts. I felt sad that the teachers still had to work on this day before 2025.
Now that Teacher’s Day is a National Holiday, we will be out touring Taiwan, spending money, and adding to Taiwan’s tourist economy. I have never experienced a Teacher’s Day National Holiday, but I assume it will be similar to other holidays, except there will be even fewer family and cultural rituals involved.

Tips For Travelling During the Teacher’s Day Holiday in Taiwan:

• The airports can be packed, and flights will usually be more expensive.
• The roads will be jammed going south on the first day and jammed going north on the last day.
• It may be hard to book train tickets during the holiday.
• Hotels will be more expensive than normal. Every day will be like a Saturday night price.
• Camping spots should stay at the same price.
• Tourist spots may be packed with people.

Thanks for reading! For more festivals and activities in Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Festival Guide here.