Every year during the event, the Departments of Environmental Protection from the local counties send many volunteers and cleaners to remove the litter alongside the route.

[3][4] The pilgrimage began during the reign of Yongzheng Emperor near the temple's founding in 1730 when Lin Yongxing (林永興) migrated from Meizhou Island to Dajia.

Lin brought a copy of Mazu from the goddess' original temple, Chaotian Pavilion [zh], and worshipped her at an altar in his home.

[5] According to Chinese folk religion, copies of a deity must periodically revisit their predecessor to pay respects and "recharge" their spiritual energy, in a ritual known as jinxiang (進香).

However, in 1895, Taiwan fell under Japanese rule, and the government closed Da'an Harbor to outside trade, which barred Jenn Lann Temple from traveling to Meizhou.

[7]: 1345–1346 Early Beigang pilgrimages were much smaller than today: a journey would only be made every two years, but only if temple officials can fundraise enough money for it, and the entire convoy never exceeded fifty people.

[9] Before the procession departs, a ceremony known as jiaogao (筊筶) is held at Jenn Lann Temple, where the pilgrimage's start date through poe divination.

[5] The day before the pilgrimage, a ceremony known as qi'an (祈安) is held at Jenn Lann Temple to ask for a safe journey, and Mazu is invited to board the litter.

During the pilgrimage, Mazu litter is carried by eight men and travels near the end of the procession, behind the crier, flag bearers, musicians, and convoys from other temples.

[7]: 1350–1351  In Xingang, Mazu is moved onto Fengtian Temple's altar, and a ceremony is held to celebrate the goddess' birthday and wish for good luck.

In early pilgrimages, there was a twelve-person convoy holding an incense carrier who travelled in secret to avoid losing the spiritual power in the crowd.