Guanziling’s world-class hot springs – Hot Spring Carnival with surprises for spending over NT$1,000

The 2009 Taiwan Hot Spring & Gourmet Carnival “Fall in Love with Guanziling Jazz & Hot Springs” has kicked off. The exciting series of carnival events runs from December 18 to January 9, 2010, at the Baoquan Bridge venue (next to Jingguang Villa), featuring wonderful activities and jazz performances every Friday and Saturday. The opening night on December 18 also includes a surprise lucky draw – don’t miss out.

“Jazz & Hot Springs” is a playful twist on “world-class hot springs,” inviting people from all over Taiwan to experience the unique charm of Guanziling’s mud hot springs. In addition to hosting the hot spring festival, this year the event has partnered with Jinglao Liao Elementary School in Tainan County and Yanseh Elementary School to plant nectar plants in Guanziling’s Red Leaf Park, attracting butterflies to make their home there. Currently, the park is home to 16 species and around 400 butterflies – an encouraging result. The goal is to develop Guanziling into an international leisure and eco-tourism destination that combines lifestyle relaxation, green tourism, and ecological conservation.

Guanziling’s mud hot springs are truly one of a kind in Taiwan, with uniquely special spring water qualities. As an ascending spring, the water brings up millions of years of deposited sea mud. As the only mud hot springs in Taiwan, they are hailed as the “Number One Spiritual Spring under Heaven.” Rich in minerals, these are also known as national treasure-level black hot springs. Not only do they offer therapeutic benefits for certain ailments, but they also serve as an excellent beauty treatment.

To attract more visitors to Guanziling, the Hot Spring Association has introduced attractive offers such as weekday accommodation discounts starting from 35% off and weekend discounts from 20% off, plus 10% off for food and beverage purchases over NT$1,000. A special lucky draw promotion is also available: spend NT$1,000 at participating shops to receive one raffle ticket, with more spending increasing your chances to win. Prizes include cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and cash vouchers. Everyone is welcome to try their luck.

The “Jazz & Hot Springs” series of events are divided into three parts: the “Nightly Jazz Madness” concerts every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 9pm allow visitors to relax after a soothing hot spring soak and enjoy romantic, laid-back jazz music at the Baoquan Bridge venue, where coffee and local specialties are also on sale; every Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm at the Baoquan Bridge venue features different fun activities, including street performers such as mud monsters, the Fire God King, flower fairies, and Christmas trees showcasing Guanziling’s character, interactive experiences, tastings of Guanziling’s specialty roast chicken, and a lucky wheel game based on the local Fire God King belief – just show a photo taken with the Fire God King Temple to join the game and win cash vouchers or souvenirs. 　　

There is also a photo and text sharing activity: write or take photos of your experiences in Guanziling, share short hot spring experience essays, food photos, KUSO surprise shots of the Water-Fire Spring, or butterfly tracking in Red Leaf Park. Submission deadline is January 2, 2010. Participants have the chance to win a NT$500 cash voucher. Many more surprise prizes await – for more details on discounts and events, visit the official website.

2009 Fall in Love with Guanziling Jazz & Hot Springs
Dates: December 18, 2009 to January 9, 2010
Location: Baoquan Bridge, Guanziling
December 18, 6:30pm to 9pm – Jazz performances begin
December 19 to January 9, 2010 – Nightly Jazz Madness concerts
December 19, 3pm to 5pm – Street performers and creative market
December 26, 3pm to 5pm – Tasty native chicken tasting and Santa Claus interactive games
January 2, 3pm to 5pm – DIY face mask painting
January 9 – Blessings from the Fire God King lucky wheel

Read more: Kyushu’s Healing Hot Springs (provided by Tripass Scenic Spots)