By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
The “2015 Taipei Hot Spring Festival” will take place for five consecutive days starting October 29 around the Xinzhuang Beitou MRT Station. In addition to the annual hot spring joint exhibition booths, this year’s grand celebration also features a carefully curated series of activities to highlight Beitou’s unique characteristics and promote international exchange. Notably, the “Matsuyama Grand Shrine Palanquin – Dogo Hachicho Men’s Festival,” featuring four palanquins weighing approximately 600 to 700 kilograms, will be performing as part of an international exchange. The powerful presence of these palanquins delivers a stunning impact on-site. Additionally, there will be a creative market, open-air cinema, blood donation with free hot spring vouchers, and more. On weekends, there will also be free hot spring shuttle buses. The program is rich and exciting.

To strengthen cooperation and friendship with other international cities, the festival has introduced Japan’s Matsuyama City’s highly localized and vibrant unique festival, the “Matsuyama Grand Shrine Palanquin – Dogo Hachicho Men’s Festival.” The event features both sides lifting their grand shrine palanquins and colliding them in a spectacular ceremony. Beyond being thrilling and memorable, the activity also carries the meaning of praying for the citizens’ wellbeing. Moreover, this grand performance is not only part of the Hot Spring Festival but is also available for the public to enjoy on October 31 at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM at the square west of Songshan Station and the square in front of Songshan Ciyou Temple. It can also be seen on November 1 at 10:00 AM at Taipei City Plaza. At the event, hundreds of Japanese palanquin bearers dressed in traditional festival attire will perform the palanquin collision ceremony with four grand palanquins. For the first time, Mayor Ko Wen-je transforms into a taiko drummer, leading the Taipei Drum Orchestra to welcome the Japanese guests with drumming. He is also joined by three deputy mayors to board the grand shrine palanquin together to pray for the people of Taiwan. It is particularly recommended that during the Hot Spring Festival, travelers make use of the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle’s “Beitou Zhuzihhu Line” to plan a one-day mini trip, traveling from Beitou to Yangmingshan. First, soak in Beitou’s sulfur hot springs to experience the beauty of the mountain and water—perfect for dates or family outdoor outings in a hot spring town atmosphere. Then head to Yangmingshan to enjoy nature’s embrace for a refreshing journey in the great outdoors.

This year’s Hot Spring Festival also includes Beitou’s most iconic Nostalgic Singing Star Competition, children’s palanquin parades, the Earth God parade, holiday cultural experiences, and the Ming Hua Yuan Taiwanese Opera — all perennially popular and captivating events. Additionally, on November 1, there will be a yukata design competition to add excitement to the Hot Spring Festival. During the event period, many shops are offering promotions such as “buy one, get one free” on hot spring baths and “buy one, get two free” on food. Furthermore, by presenting the discount coupon at the back of the 2015 Hot Spring Festival handbook, customers can enjoy various specified offers at participating stores until December 30.

Due to timed traffic controls during the Hot Spring Festival and the closure of the south side road next to the Xinzhuang Beitou MRT Station, along with the large turnout of participants, the public is advised to use public transportation to attend the event to avoid congestion. Additionally, because of the palanquin collision events taking place around the Xinzhuang Beitou MRT Station on the afternoon of October 30 and November 1, and the morning of October 31, parts of the south side road next to Xinzhuang Beitou Station, the intersection of Beitou Guangming Road and Zhongshan Road, and sections of Daye Road eastbound will be under control. Vehicles are requested to slow down according to on-site instructions, and those planning to take nearby buses are advised to wait patiently.
 
Information on the palanquin collision blessing performances is as follows:
October 31 (Sat) 9:00 – Around Xinzhuang Beitou MRT Station
October 31 (Sat) 15:00 – West Square of Songshan Station
October 31 (Sat) 17:00 – Front Square of Songshan Ciyou Temple
November 1 (Sun) 10:00 – Taipei City Plaza
November 1 (Sun) 15:30 – Around Xinzhuang Beitou MRT Station

Taipei Hot Spring Festival Kicks Off – Must-Visit Attractions in Beitou