By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Pepper Robot with Zhou Shuimei, Chairman of the Taipei City Hot Spring Development Association. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
On October 22 and 23, the annually well-received Children’s Mikoshi Parade and the most representative local cultural event, the Land God Parade, will showcase the essence of Taiwanese and Japanese cultures. Also making its first appearance this year is the Beitou Hot Spring Area mascot “Wu Wa Wa,” who will join mascots from across Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific hot spring regions, such as the Tourism Bureau’s “Oh Bear,” the 2017 Taipei Universiade’s “Bearbang,” Japan’s Ehime Prefecture Matsuyama City’s “Mikan Dog,” Yamaguchi Prefecture’s Yuuda Onsen, and Hamamatsu City’s “Ieyasu-kun.” In addition, there will be a lively taiko drum performance by performers from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, creating a festive carnival parade that will bring the atmosphere to a fever pitch. There will also be expert-led in-depth tours of Beitou and free hot spring shuttle buses, giving you the chance to experience the beauty of Beitou.
Pepper Robot promotes the combination of the Hot Spring Festival and digital apps at the press conference, encouraging everyone to download the app. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
To ensure participants in the “Taipei Hot Spring Festival” can fully enjoy Beitou, four venues – Beitou Meiting, Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Geothermal Valley, and Ketagalan Cultural Center – will extend their opening hours until 6 PM on October 22 and 23. Apart from the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, these venues will also be specially open on Monday, October 24 (from 9 AM to 5 PM). Welcome to explore Beitou’s rich tourism resources, including ecology, culture, history, and landscapes.
Group photo of attendees at the Taipei Hot Spring Festival press conference. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
On October 22, Ming Hua Yuan Taiwanese Opera will present the spectacular annual production “Wu Song Fights the Tiger” to meet with opera fans. The five-day event will also feature 20 food stalls, allowing visitors to the Taipei Hot Spring Festival to savor specialty delicacies. Those who love hot spring baths and gourmet food can enjoy exclusive discounts simply by showing the “Hot Spring Witch GO!” app screen – such as buy-one-get-one-free on hot spring baths and up to 42% off on accommodation.
Major hot spring hotels launch seasonal-exclusive food and merchandise services. (Photo / MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
The October 12 press conference kicked off with a performance by the robot Pepper, announcing that this year’s hot spring festival is integrating smart tourism and aims to offer the public a unique experience. Chen Jingjun, Deputy Mayor of Taipei City, who attended the press conference, stated that Beitou Hot Springs are an important tourism asset of Taipei City. After years of effort by the city government and the local community, Beitou Hot Springs have become one of the must-visit destinations for travelers coming to Taipei. The city government continues to co-organize the “Taipei Hot Spring Festival,” enabling more visitors to deeply experience Beitou’s rich humanistic history and beautiful scenery, further promoting the fame of Beitou Hot Springs. He invited people from all over the country to join this annual hot spring event in Xinbeitou, to experience the hot springs and cultural charm of Beitou.