By the MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The "2015 Taipei Hot Spring Festival" will take place over five consecutive days starting October 29 around the Xindian Beitou MRT Station. In addition to the traditional hot spring joint exhibition booths from previous years, this year’s grand celebration also features a carefully curated series of activities to enhance Beitou’s unique characteristics and promote international exchange. Highlights include the "Pine Mountain Grand Shrine Palanquin – Dogo Hachicho Men’s Festival," where four palanquins weighing approximately 600 to 700 kilograms will be brought over for an international performance exchange, creating a breathtaking spectacle with their impressive momentum. Other activities include a cultural and creative market, outdoor cinema, and free hot spring vouchers for blood donors, among others. Free hot spring shuttle buses will also be available on weekends. The program is rich and exciting.
The Pine Mountain Grand Palanquin’s arrival in Taiwan for the collision ceremony is a major highlight. (Image source / Taipei City Government)
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 "Pine Mountain Grand Shrine Palanquin – Dogo Hachicho Men’s Festival." Participants from both sides carry the grand palanquins and collide them in a spectacular ceremony. The event is not only thrilling and memorable but also carries the blessing of good fortune for citizens. In addition to being performed during the Hot Spring Festival, the public can also enjoy the show at 3 PM and 5 PM on October 31 at the square west of Songshan Station and the square in front of Songshan Ciyou Temple. It will also be presented at 10 AM on November 1 at Taipei City’s Civic Square. 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 Troupe to welcome Japanese guests with drumbeats, and he, along with three deputy mayors, boards the grand palanquin together to pray for the people of Taiwan. It is especially recommended that during the Hot Spring Festival, travelers make use of the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle “Beitou Zhuzihu Line” to plan a one-day mini-trip from Beitou to Yangmingshan. Start with a soak in Beitou’s sulfur hot springs to experience the town’s scenic mountain and water beauty—an ideal setting for dates or family outdoor activities. Then head to Yangmingshan to embrace nature and enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating journey in the great outdoors.
This is the "Japanese Matsuyama City Dogo Children’s Palanquin" gifted to Taipei City in 2012 (Image provided / Taipei City Government)
This year’s Hot Spring Festival also includes Beitou’s most iconic events such as the Nangka Star Singing Competition, Children’s Palanquin Parade, Earth God Procession, Holiday Cultural Experiences, and the Ming Hua Yuan Opera performances—all perennial favorites. Additionally, on November 1, there will be a Yukata Design Award event, adding even more excitement to the festival. During the event period, many shops are offering promotions such as "buy one get one free" for hot spring baths and food, and those presenting the discount coupon at the back of the 2015 Hot Spring Festival brochure can enjoy various specified offers at participating stores until December 30.
The festive parade of the Pine Mountain Grand Palanquin creates a lively atmosphere, filling the streets of Taipei with the spirit of a Japanese festival. (Image provided / Taipei City Government)
Due to timed traffic controls during the Hot Spring Festival and the closure of the south side road next to Xindian Beitou MRT Station, along with the large crowds expected, the public is advised to use public transportation to attend. Moreover, because of the palanquin collision events scheduled for the afternoon of October 30 and November 1, and the morning of October 31 around Xindian Beitou MRT Station, parts of the south side road near the station, the intersection of Beitou Guangming Road and Zhongshan Road, and sections of Daye Road’s eastbound lane will be under control. Vehicles must slow down according to on-site instructions, and bus riders are advised to be patient.
Details of the palanquin collision blessing events are as follows:
October 31 (Sat) 9:00 – Around Xindian Beitou MRT Station
October 31 (Sat) 15:00 – West Side Square of Songshan Station
October 31 (Sat) 17:00 – Front Square of Songshan Ciyou Temple
November 1 (Sun) 10:00 – Taipei Civic Square
November 1 (Sun) 15:30 – Around Xindian Beitou MRT Station