Summer Romance with Purple Crow Butterflies and the Fire God King in Xilaya

Text/Photo report by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network

 

Starting mid-June, universities and colleges nationwide gradually enter their summer vacation period, while all high schools and below also begin a two-month-long summer break in July. Taking advantage of this time, the Xilaya National Scenic Area Administration will hold the “Romantic Xilaya – Summer Love” series of events from early June to the end of August, successively launching activities such as a photography contest, butterfly amusement park, and Fire God King Festival. Among them, the photography contest, which is now accepting submissions, offers a total prize pool of up to NT$120,000. Participants in the butterfly park challenge games also have the chance to win a limited-edition “Xilaya On-the-Go Enjoyment Card,” which provides discounts at various shops within the area.

The “Elegant Butterflies Photography Contest,” now open for entries, focuses on photographing lotus flowers in Baihe and butterflies in Red Leaf Park, Guanziling. As long as you submit a single photo taken between June and August this year along with the entry form by August 31 to the designated location, your registration is complete. The first prize in this photography competition is NT$30,000, with a total prize pool of up to NT$120,000.

The “Butterfly Amusement Park” will be held over four consecutive weekend holidays starting July 14 in Red Leaf Park, Guanziling, Baihe District. During the event, free shuttle bus services will be provided, and the Taiwan Purple Crow Butterfly Conservation Association will offer ecological guided tours and butterfly tagging in the park. There will also be challenge games, treasure hunts with prizes, and a series of performances. Participants in the challenge games may also have the chance to win a limited-edition “Xilaya On-the-Go Enjoyment Card,” which not only functions as a USB flash drive but also grants discounts at special partner shops in the area.

Guanziling, one of Taiwan’s four major hot spring areas alongside Beitou, Yangmingshan, and Sichongxi in Pingtung County, boasts the world’s rare mud hot springs. These springs are fine-textured and rich in underground rock-layer mud and minerals, making them an unmissable local experience. On August 11, the “Fire God King Festival” will be held in Baoquan Bridge Hot Spring Park, Guanziling, Baihe District. The Fire God King is the guardian deity of Guanziling’s hot springs, and the festival is not only a major local event but also the first of its kind in Taiwan. On the day, there will be activities such as mountain cart pulling, a parade of ghosts and goblins carnival, and the public is encouraged to dress up creatively in various Fire God King costumes to join the festive street celebration.