By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Guanziling Hot Spring is located on the eastern side of Baihe District in Tainan City. It shares the world’s rare mud hot spring quality with places such as Kagoshima in Japan and Sicily in Italy, and is ranked among Taiwan’s four major hot springs alongside Beitou, Yangmingshan, and Sihchongxi. The most grand event of Guanziling Hot Spring, the “2017 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Food Festival,” officially kicked off on September 23. This year’s festival features four major highlights, divided into “Night Parade,” “Onsen Yukata Culture,” “Hot Spring Cuisine,” and “Anime Marketing.”
Guanziling Hot Spring is located on the eastern side of Baihe District in Tainan City. It shares the world’s rare mud hot spring quality with places such as Kagoshima in Japan and Sicily in Italy, and is ranked among Taiwan’s four major hot springs alongside Beitou, Yangmingshan, and Sihchongxi. The most grand event of Guanziling Hot Spring, the “2017 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Food Festival,” officially kicked off on September 23. This year’s festival features four major highlights, divided into “Night Parade,” “Onsen Yukata Culture,” “Hot Spring Cuisine,” and “Anime Marketing.”
Highlights from the night parade at the “2016 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Food Festival.” (Photo / Tainan City Government)
The “Night Parade” held at 6:30 PM on the opening day, September 23, invited the public to wear yukata (casual kimono) or festival attire, carry bamboo fans, and follow a 5-meter-tall giant Huowangye (Fire King) lantern to pray to Guanziling’s local deity — Huowangye. This year, the festival specially invited the dance guidance team from Xitou Monster Village to design a simple and easy-to-learn Huowangye Festival dance for Guanziling. During the opening parade, they led visitors in dancing together, accompanied by live performances including taiko drumming, fire dancing, and cosplay, creating a lively celebratory atmosphere for the event’s opening.
Highlights from the night parade at the “2016 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Food Festival.” (Photo / Tainan City Government)
Highlights from the night parade at the “2016 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Food Festival.” (Photo / Tainan City Government)
For the “Onsen Yukata Culture” segment, in addition to offering hundreds of colorful yukata for free trial during the weekend market throughout the event, from October 7–10 and October 14–15, the Japan-based “Kyoto Kimono Rental Sakura,” which came to Taiwan, will provide more refined paid yukata rental services (including simple hairstyle styling and props). On the evening of October 7 at 7 PM, a yukata party will also be held, featuring popular DJs from southern Taiwan, DJ COLA and MC CasterG GAGA, who will lead participants in dancing through the streets of Guanziling in yukata with stunning party music. The event will also include limited free makeup and hairstyling services provided by Tainan’s local “Milan Fashion Hair Salon,” allowing hotel guests in Guanziling to wear their hotel’s signature yukata and walk on stage, creating wonderful memories.
The “Hot Spring Cuisine” segment specially selects 10 restaurants in Guanziling to present their must-try signature dishes in the “Guanling Food Portal” event. Visitors can use QR codes on their mobile phones to access dining discounts and taste the high-quality, refined mountain delicacies of Guanziling.
The “Hot Spring Cuisine” segment specially selects 10 restaurants in Guanziling to present their must-try signature dishes in the “Guanling Food Portal” event. Visitors can use QR codes on their mobile phones to access dining discounts and taste the high-quality, refined mountain delicacies of Guanziling.
Unmissable hot spring cuisine. (Photo / Tainan City Government)
This year, the festival has introduced original Guanziling anime characters “Xiao Feng” and “Xiao Quan” as tourism ambassadors for Guanziling Hot Springs. They promote the hot spring food festival through “Anime Marketing” and guide the public in exploring Guanziling. Additionally, a “Guanling 2D Festival Cosplay Competition” is scheduled for 4 PM on October 7, welcoming all kinds of anime characters to participate in performances and competitions.
Guanling 2D Festival Cosplay Competition. (Photo / Tainan City Government)
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