The Fourfold Creek Hot Spring Festival Kicks Off & the Hot Spring Old Street Closes for a Parade

▲ The 2013 Fourfold Creek Sightseeing Hot Spring Festival will officially open this Saturday (16th) in Checheng Township, Pingtung County. (Photo / Provided by Pingtung County Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The 2013 Fourfold Creek Sightseeing Hot Spring Festival will officially open this Saturday (16th) at the Hot Spring Branch of Checheng Elementary School. In conjunction with the lively opening parade event, Section 199 of the County Road from Hot Spring Bridge to Guangfu Bridge will be closed to traffic, and the hot spring old street will also be decorated with Japanese-style lanterns and street scene installations.

The Pingtung County Government’s Tourism and Communications Department stated that this year’s Fourfold Creek Hot Spring Festival opening ceremony is combined with a parade event, inviting over 400 participants from 20 parade groups to joyfully take to the streets. The parade not only includes local hot spring associations, but also features electric-powered Mazu and San Taizi, vibrant Awa Odori dancers, and artists-in-residence from Fangliao Art Village dressed as ancient Roman gladiators joining the procession. The mascot, Onion Baby, will also make its first public appearance.

% Scene from the 2012 Hot Spring Festival parade. (Photo / Taken fromThe Fourfold Creek Hot Spring Festival Fan Page)

The parade will start from the Hot Spring Branch of Checheng Elementary School, proceed along Hot Spring Road to Fuquan Temple, and end at Fuan Temple, the largest temple to the Earth God in southern Taiwan. The parade is expected to last about 2 hours. Section 199 of the County Road leading into the hot spring old street of Fourfold Creek, from Hot Spring Bridge to Guangfu Bridge, will be closed to traffic.

The “Fourfold Creek Sightseeing Hot Spring Festival” in Checheng, Pingtung County, kicked off on November 16th and will continue for two months. In addition to enjoying the unique “Herbal Beauty Hot Spring,” the county government has also invited visually impaired massage therapists to provide services during the event period. Visitors who soak in the hot springs during designated times can also enjoy a free 10-minute stress-relief massage. Free shuttle buses will also be available on weekends to make the hot spring experience more convenient.

【Information Related to the Fourfold Creek Sightseeing Hot Spring Festival】

Transportation Info: Visitors can get off at the Zuoying Station of the High-Speed Rail, Kaohsiung Railway Station, or Pingtung Railway Station, transfer to the “Kending Express” bus, get off at the Checheng Township Farmers’ Association, and then take the free shuttle bus to Fourfold Creek Hot Springs.