Events

Tourism Bureau, MOTC invited founder of Love Travel, an agency specializing in accessible travel to lead journalists, senior care center staffs, and representatives of physically challenged groups and social welfare institutions to try out accessible tourism in selected tourist attractions at Guguan Hot Spring Park in central Taiwan on July 23, 2020. Pleasant surprises can be found throughout Guguan Hot Spring Park. Visitors can put on Ayatal garments and take photos for free, or join an indigenous harp-making class. Take a walk in the lush, green and spacious park, feel impressed by magnificent Dajia Valley at Shaolai Suspension Bridge, and soak up both feet in the park’s free hot spring pond while trying “fish pedicure.” How joyous this trip will be! Cheng, who participated in the designing of the park, said that for physically challenged elders and the mentally challenged, it can be challenging to move around when taking hot spring baths. This sets extra burdens to their caregivers. The accessible foot-bath pool is therefore especially designed to make it convenient, safe and easy for everyone to enjoy some relaxing time. Its height and depth is just right, and there are railings to hold onto. Other than user-friendly leisure facilities and services, the transport and accommodation for visitors to Guguan Hot Spring Park is highly accessible. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle which departs from THSR Taichung Station and Taichung City Bus provide step-entrance buses all day long for those on wheelchairs. Tourism Bureau and the Administration also provide information about accessible accommodation online, for people to acquire some ideas in advance and even contact hoteliers of their choice, no matter they are traveling alone or with family and friends. Tourism Bureau, MOTC is devoted to promoting accessible tourism. It has not only set up accessible hiking trails, toilets, elevators, breastfeeding rooms, and leisure facilities at tourist attractions to provide friendly, special experience for visitors of all needs. This year, it even publishes a travel guide entitled Let’s Go! - Accessible Travel in Taiwan, introducing 10 tourist highlights in national scenic areas and seven accessible attractions. Now that COVID-19 is under control, Tourism Bureau cordially invites people to explore all tourist attractions in Taiwan, even with elders and their physically and mentally challenged friends. Let’s enjoy the happiness of traveling together!

A press conference promoting 2020 Happy Hot Springs in Central Taiwan was held at Freshfields Taichung in Wuri, June 18 by Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, encouraging people to enjoy the seven hot springs in central Taiwan while the pandemic is under control. Russian artist Annie and Chinese herbal medicine doctor Chiao Sheng-lin shared a few tips about staying healthy through hot springs. Chiao noted that taking hot spring baths in the summer helps to detox. Once minerals go into human bodies through skin, immunity will increase. Thus, the relaxing baths are especially suitable for people in times of COVID-19. The spring water may even make people look more beautiful and healthier. And since regimen food is often served to guests after the baths in Taiwan, a hot spring trip is nourishing from inside out. For this event, seven major hot spring areas in central Taiwan, including Neiwan of Hsinchu; Tai’an of Miaoli; Wuji, Dakeng, and Guguan of Taichung; and Dongpu and Beigang River of Nantou joined force with the Administration to promote hot spring tourism. Two side-activities are held online, providing cash prizes and gifts worth more than NT$400,000 to visitors. Sine this year is the Year of Mountain Tourism, more than 10 hot spring themed tours in Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung and Nantou are also offered, for people to spend their summer holidays. From June 20 to September 20 during the event period, customers of the participating B&Bs, bath houses, and restaurants in Jianshi, Tai’an, Guguan, Wuji, Dakeng, Beigang River, and Dongpu, as well as participants of the aforementioned themed tours, may join monthly prize draws upon presenting a unified invoice with a purchase of NT$500 or more. The grand prize is a 30-point diamond necklace by an internationally renowned brand. By collecting visitors’ stamps of all seven hot spring areas, visitors can get limited-edition bath towels designed by famous designer Daniel Wong at the 2020 Happy Hot Springs in Central Taiwan website. There is just one more activity held by the Administration: In Search of Hot Spring Bloggers. All members of the public are encouraged to share their hot spring travel notes, with photos and written texts. Who knows? The winners may become popular travel writers soon. Other than holding monthly prize draws for the participants, the Administration will select eight winners. The grand-prize winner will be given a cash reward of NT$30,000, the second - NT$15,000, and the third - NT$10,000. The other five excellence-prize winners will each be given NT$3,000. The winners will be endorsers of the hot springs in central Taiwan. Their writings and photographs will be published in a special book that celebrates 2020 Happy Hot Springs in Central Taiwan.

The Tourism Bureau, MOTC on June 5 held a match-making event for hot spring hoteliers and travel agencies at Atayal Resort in Nantou. Hot Spring Tourism Association Taiwan and representatives of the region’s hot spring industry; Depart. of Tourism, Nantou County Government and representatives of local gift shops; Travel Quality Assurance Association Taiwan; and Taiwan Domestic Tourism Development Association and over 30 domestic tourism businesses that are the association’s members; were invited to attend the event and discuss further collaboration. Premiers of two films, “Hao Yu Chao” (meaning “receiving good signs while taking a hot spring bath”) and a global publicity film on Taiwan’s hot springs and food (which comes with five language versions, Mandarin, English, Japanese, Korean, and Russian) were made at the event. “Oh Bear,” a tourism mascot in Taiwan, was also invited to play hot spring-themed hide and seek. By catching Oh Bear, people could get beautiful keyrings for free. The game instantly became a highlight, and it made the event much more fun. Once again, in order to boost tourism, Tourism Bureau, MOTC has recently published two publicity films on hot springs at once. In one film, a term “Hao Yu Chao,” which phonetically equals “receiving good signs while taking a hot spring bath” in Mandarin, is much touted. The film shows two youngsters taking a hot spring trip to change their mood. They not only feel physically and spiritually energized after taking high-quality hot spring baths, but are also impressed by Taiwan’s beautiful mountain and ocean scenery. The movie indicates that“ a good trip can change a traveller’s mood, and a good hot spring bath can bring good signs in life.” The other film targeting at global audience takes the views of travellers who come to Taiwan to explore Taiwan’s hospitality and tasty food. All visitors are cordially invited to appreciate beautiful Taiwan in a different way - by exploring a range of hot springs! In fact, to promote the splendid hot springs in Taiwan, the global publicity film comes with different language versions, such as English, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. Taiwan boasts a wide range of hot springs found in mountains, by the sea, and on the plains. Such include rare mud springs, hydrothermal springs, volcanic sulfur springs, and odorless sodium bicarbonate springs. Meanwhile, Tourist Bureau, MOTC highlights hot springs and food and integrates the hot spring sector’s supply chain to promote its image in tourism. As domestic travel becomes more popular by the day, hot spring hoteliers and travel agencies are invited to work with the bureau. The goal is to boost economic confidence in post-pandemic times, by promoting Taiwan’s hot springs, polishing the country’s brand image in tourism, and providing consumers with more holiday options.

Due to COVID-19, also named as Wuhan pneumonia, measures have been taken by the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government at Fuxing Hot Spring Park and Sulfur Valley to keep public hygiene under control. We would like to ask Taipei citizens to abide by all relevant rules in order to keep everyone safe. The city government will continue to make public foot-bath pools safe places for all. Opening time: Every hourly from 08:00 to 18:00, Tuesdays to Sundays. With each session, visitors can enjoy 40 minutes of foot spa. 30 minutes after the entrance, a reminder will be made, and the pool will be sterilized. To register for foot baths, please provide us with your full name, mobile number, and address. Only those who have not travelled recently, have no fevers or coughs, and have not been under quarantine in the past 14 days, will be allowed entrance. All your personal information will be kept confidentially in the park’s administration system. It will be deleted according to our personal data protection policy, once COVID-19 is gone. We makes sure that visitors’ personal data are safe. Safe distance: There is a one-meter distance between each seat. Visitors must be seated according to their numbers. Limited entrance: 51 people are allowed for a foot-bath session in Fuxing Park.As to Sulfur Valley, up to 31 people are allowed at once. Please follow the guidance provided by park staff to find your seat.

The three biggest hot spring parks - Guanziling, Sichongxi, and Baolai - in southern Taiwan are known for the mellow spring water they provide. The water makes them visitors’ favorites. Guanziling is especially famous for its mud springs. Other than high-quality springs, in Guanziling, there are mountains and hiking trails to visit. Dadongshan Hiking Trail and Xianglu Historic Trail beneath Biyun Temple are both suitable for people enjoy the nature. And Baolai Hot Spring Park in Kaohsiung is now filled with blooming pink shower trees. For a romantic and leisurely trip, why not visit the park during the flower season, aside from taking hot spring baths! Sichongxi Hot Spring Park has one of the four most famous hot springs of the Japanese Rule. Blessed with clear water rich with minerals, Sichongxi boasts rare “Yunohana” (Japanese) which is natural crystal formed throughout the years. Nearby destinations such as Checheng Guishan Hiking Trail and Shimen Old Battlefield are highly recommended, too. The hot springs in Taiwan are highly diverse. In southern Taiwan, Guanziling, Sichongxi, and Baolai are known for their special springs - volcanic mud springs, sodium bicarbonate springs, and more. Each hot spring park features a different landscape and culture. Take preventive measures during the pandemic and have fun on the go To visitors: please keep proper social distance and wear masks during national holiday vacations. Keep your hands sterilized, so as to protect yourself and others. Also, when feeling unwell, put on masks and seek medical care as soon as possible. Remember to inform medical professionals of your recent trips and the people you have encountered in the past 14 days, if applicable. Tell your family and friends who are traveling with you about the aforementioned tips. Let’s take good care of each other and arrive home safe and sound!

More than 800 “pink shower trees” are blooming at Baolai Hot Spring Park! Also called “flatland cherry” or “pink cassia,” the trees are symbols of Liugui District and they are expected to keep growing flowers until end of April. At the park, beside a public hot spring pool, there is a camping area surrounded by the pink shower trees. Visitors are encouraged to immerse in such a wonderful nature by camping at night, or just take a hot spring bath and watch flowers. They may also go hiking along the nearby Old Xitou Tribe Battle Road of Pulai which meanders through a bamboo forest, an acacia forest, and a plum garden. The plant ecology along the road is highly diverse and visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Baolai at mountain top. Again, flower-watching, hot spring baths, and camping are much recommended after hiking. Come to Baolai Hot Spring Park and take time to enjoy a leisurely spring vacation.

The Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Onsen & Gastronomy Tourism Association, ANA Strategic Research Institute, ANA (airline), Club Tourism (travel agency), and ANA Sales (travel agency) from Japan are now promoting the 2020 Year of Mountain Tourism together. More specifically, mountain hiking, hot springs, and delicious food in Taiwan are much being touted. What’s more, just earlier on it was the lunar New Year, and the 2020 Taiwan Lantern Festival was held in Taichung by the Tourism Bureau and Taichung City Government. Thus, on February 15, about 150 Japanese visitors were invited to try out a new tour entitled “2020 Taiwan Lantern Festival + Food Travel in Taichung.” In the day, the attendants explored the city. At night, they watched beautiful lanterns. In this way, the Tourism Bureau hopes to present a different experience to travelers from Japan, and to continue to expand Taiwan’s share in the Japanese tourism market.