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There's
no need to go abroad this Chinese New Year.
The First Jiaosi Hot Springs Festival, held
by Ilan County Government, will warm you up
from December 25, 2003, to February 1, 2004--from
Christmas to Chinese New Year.
Ilan's
distinctive geological make-up means that an
abundance of heated groundwater gushes out from
faults at various places, including Jiaosi, which
is one of the few places in Taiwan where hot
springs can be found on level ground. During
the Qing Dynasty, the springs--then known as
Tangwei Hot Springs--were considered one of the
Eight Sights of Lanyang. Jiaosi's springs originate
from the foot of a mountain behind Fuchong Temple
in Deyang Village. Two public baths remain from
the era when local residents would bathe in the
steamy stream. The springs are clear and alkaline,
with traces of potassium chloride, sodium sulfate,
potassium bicarbonate, boric acid, sulfur, and
organic matter. Crowds of people are lured here
by the smooth, non-sticky nature of the water,
and its curative powers for those with skin or
gastric diseases.
During
the festival, there will be three outdoor theme
areas: The Dynamic Spa Area, the Visual Arts
Spa Area, and the Spiritual Spa Area. If one
is looking for a lavender (comfortable) spa,
a rosemary (vital) spa, a rose (delightful) spa,
a green tea (long life) spa, or a vegetable (countryside)
spa, the Dynamic Spa Area is the place to be.
The forest (natural) spa, golden jujube (Ilan)
spa, and bamboo (noble) spa are in the Visual
Arts Spa Area, while the ginger (slimming) spa,
milk (skin care) spa and good health spa are
found in the Spiritual Spa Area.
After
soaking, visitors can take a look at Jiaosi's
cultural attractions. The Jiaosi Service Center
will be remodeled into the Hot Springs Museum,
and the Taiwan Bank Service Center will become
the Hot Springs Assembly Hall, displaying literature
and historical materials about springs from the
Little Beitou era to the Nakaxi Culture, and
finally to the hydropathical spas today.
For
those who like to be more active, there will
be different theme events each day. Along with
the Street Arts Show and Puppet Carnival, there
will be Old Songs-Nakaxi Request on Monday, a
Chinese zither performance on Tuesday, outdoor
movies on Wednesday, classical music on Thursday,
a creative music performance on Friday, a pop
music night on Saturday, plus romantic jazz on
Sunday. Individuals or groups interested in costume
parades can join the Carnival Parade, and display
their creative costumes every Saturday.
Can't
resist the temptation of local products? Put
on hot springs togs, sold by sponsors, or clogs
made by the Baimi (White Rice) Community, and
get ready to go shopping.
Ilan
County Government is working with local hotels,
restaurants, and local product stores to promote
the Tourist Passport, which gives discounts and
bargains to passport holders.
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Getting There:
1.
By Car: From Taipei, take Provincial Road No.
2 (Binhai Rd.) to Toucheng, then Provincial Road
No. 9 to Jiaosi.
2. By Car: From Taipei, take Beiyi Rd., then switch
to Provincial Road No. 9 to Jiaosi.
3. By Bus: From Taipei Station, take the Kuo-Kuang
Bus Company's Binhai (Coast) Line or Beiyi Line
toward Luodong or Suao, and get off at Jiaosi.
4. By Train: To Chiao-hsi (Jiaosi) station on the
North-Link Line, then walk five minutes to the
festival site.
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