"Northern Hot Spring Festival" – A Winter Exclusive Experience: Soak in the Onsen, Then Stroll in a Yukata at the Temple Fair for a Truly Romantic Time

▲The hotel’s prime location means you’re just a 40-minute drive from downtown, allowing you to easily enjoy great food, scenery, and underwater hot springs. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-zhong)

2,000 Lions Gather in Yilan—One Lion Could Buy a Whole Building

The Hedongtang Lion Museum, located within the Dongsen Marine Hot Spring Hotel, features classic Minnan-style architecture that blends harmoniously with the exquisitely designed garden outside—transporting you back in time to the home of a wealthy family. The museum houses stone lions from across ancient China, including the dignified, square-faced northern lions and the round-bodied, smiling southern ones. Though collectively called stone lions, they come in a wide range of materials such as bronze, pottery, wood, tin, silver, and jade. Each lion is a centuries-old artifact, depicted in various poses—sitting, lying down, or rolling—each telling a story of its era. In the past, these lions often guarded the gates of mansions or temples, believed to ward off evil and attract wealth. Today, they stand watch at various shrines, protecting all who visit. Take a stroll through the exhibits, listen to the guides’ stories, and let young cartoon fans discover the many faces of lions; history buffs can admire centuries-old artifacts up close; and those seeking blessings will feel the warmth of temple visits. The slightly mysterious Hedongtang collection holds thousands of authentic antiques—definitely worth a visit.

▲Hedongtang is home to a thousand lions, each a centuries-old artifact frozen in unique poses that narrate different historical tales. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-zhong)

▲This Song Dynasty wealth-attracting lion is over 400 years old, with piercing eyes and a dynamic expression. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-zhong)

▲This Ming Dynasty sea-edge fish-bodied wind lion, carved from granite and originating in Fujian, was once exhibited in Singapore. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-zhong)

Rediscover the Long-Lost Art of “Banana Fiber Weaving” from the Kavalan Culture

The cultures of ethnic minorities have gained global attention, and Taiwan is also actively preserving the cultural relics of its indigenous tribes, hoping to pass on these local characteristics. The Kavalan people originally lived on the Lanyang Plain, but due to colonization and migration by the Spanish, Dutch, and Han Chinese, they were forced to leave the Lanyang Plain, leading to the gradual loss of their indigenous culture. Younger members of the tribe no longer speak the Kavalan language, which has been listed by the United Nations as an endangered language. The Dongsen Marine Hot Spring Hotel incorporates Kavalan cultural elements and displays the once-lost art of "banana fiber weaving" on the hotel’s third floor. The fabrics, clothing, and accessories are all handwoven by elders of the Kavalan tribe, and each artifact holds historical value and a story, depicting the daily lives of farmers, fishermen, and hunters of the time. They are well worth close observation and appreciation. By integrating local culture, the hotel not only adds depth to the guest experience but also helps preserve indigenous culture, making it highly significant historically.

▲ Textiles such as clothing and hats are woven from banana fibers that are extracted, dried, and hand-sewn by tribal elders. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ Each artifact holds historical value and a story, depicting the daily lives of farmers, fishermen, and hunters of the time. They are well worth close observation and appreciation. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

"NT$1,000 Government Travel Accommodation Subsidy" can be used together with accommodation vouchers

The government is encouraging domestic tourism to stimulate the economy by subsidizing NT$1,000 per night for accommodations. Many people have likely already downloaded discount codes online, but please note that these codes are only valid until February 29, 2016. Those planning a domestic vacation during this period should book early to avoid missing out. Dongsen Marine Hot Spring Hotel stated that guests can use accommodation vouchers purchased at travel fairs, or redeem them when booking rooms directly through the hotel’s hotline. Upon check-in, guests will receive a direct cash subsidy of NT$1,000 from the national travel initiative — a very attractive offer.

Go boating, fruit picking, and radish pulling for an in-depth rural experience at Toucheng Farm

Located just a 10-minute drive uphill from Dongsen Marine Hot Spring Hotel, Toucheng Farm is perfect for planning a focused, in-depth trip. With less travel fatigue and more time immersed in nature, guests can achieve true mental relaxation while energizing their bodies through outdoor activity. Spanning over 100 hectares, Toucheng Leisure Farm offers a natural, pristine mountain forest eco-experience. Its rich natural ecology varies with the seasons, providing different landscapes and activities. From November to December, the farm’s oranges turn red, allowing visitors to enjoy the fun of fruit picking on the mountainside. The short orange trees are laden with fruit, easily within reach, offering enjoyment, food, and something to take home — fun for both adults and children. It’s worth mentioning that the fruits and vegetables here are organically grown without pesticides. The oranges are “tree-ripened,” and although small in size, they are rich and flavorful, bursting with juice and aroma with every bite — proving that natural really is best!

▲ Tour guide Lü Wenxiong explains the farm’s ecosystem in an engaging, educational manner. The farm has been operating for over 25 years, using organic farming methods in hopes of contributing to the Earth’s ecological balance. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ Toucheng Leisure Farm spans over 100 hectares, offering a natural, pristine mountain forest eco-experience. Its rich natural ecology varies with the seasons, providing different landscapes and activities. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ %The pond water is crystal clear despite being only 30 cm deep, showing how clean the water is. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

The farm also grows various organic vegetables, including leaf mustard, cabbage, carrots, and TCM herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Tour guide Lü Wenxiong explained, “Once pesticides are sprayed on the land, it becomes acidic and can take 10–20 years to recover, so we’ve been nurturing the soil for decades. Only then can the crops be called truly organic.” Whenever in season, visitors can enjoy the experience of harvesting vegetables and pulling radishes. In addition, the farm also has rice paddies. Urban dwellers don’t need to buy farmland in the suburbs to enjoy planting — at Toucheng Farm, you can easily try your hand at rice transplanting and harvesting. Lü Wenxiong said, “Water regulates temperature, which is why Taiwan must grow rice. If we switched entirely to drought-resistant crops like wheat or sorghum, the issue of global warming would worsen.”

▲ Whenever in season, visitors can enjoy the experience of harvesting vegetables and pulling radishes. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ From November to December, the farm’s oranges turn red, allowing visitors to enjoy the fun of fruit picking on the mountainside. The short orange trees are laden with fruit, easily within reach. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ The oranges are “tree-ripened” without pesticide use. Although small in size, they are rich and flavorful, bursting with juice and aroma with every bite — proving that natural really is best!” (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ %The lotus flowers are a major highlight, often growing to impressive sizes. There are also lotus seed pods and water lilies of varying heights. Additionally, fireflies begin appearing around the farm in June. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ %The farm offers abundant natural resources and even lets kids create DIY tie-dye T-shirts using leaves. Various leaf arrangements and vibrant color combinations spark endless creativity in children. (Top photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung, bottom photo / Reporter Liao Ming-hui)

▲ Make your own fruit vinegar using the farm’s seasonal organic fruits — healthy, delicious, and worry-free. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)

▲ %The farm welcomes families with children, seniors, and groups. The farm grounds also feature heirloom fruit trees. The diverse plant life and seasonal changes provide opportunities for interactive parent-child play. (Photo / Reporter Chang Yi-chung)