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 In
the sizzling heat of the summer, all minds—young and
old—turn to water play. For folks in Taipei, this need
not entail a rush to the sea or to riverside, for much
closer to the city’s center is the Taipei Water Park
(自來水園區). Situated in Gongguan (公館), this cool urban
oasis is packed with water slides, umbrella cascades,
and other refreshing facilities, a place drenched with
frolic and fun. Better yet, each year in July, the Taipei
Water Dept. (臺北自來水事業處) stages the Taipei Aqua Friendly
Festival at the park, a fact it seems most every kid
in the city is aware of and helpfully reminds parents
of repeatedly as the summer heat builds.
A Water Festival with Something for Everyone
This year will be the seventh for the festival, and
with each round people in the tens of thousands come
to the park for the family-centered laughs. Last year
a whopping 340,000 came, proof indeed that this is one
of Taipei’s“hottest”events of the year. This year the
theme is“Smile Gongguan – Pure Beauty”(smile公館 正美麗),
and in addition to the always popular“Water” and“Amusement”activities
there will also be a new focus on using water-theme
arts to promote Gongguan riverside leisure. The spotlight
will be on performing arts and trendy lifestyle, fusing
the green concepts of water conservation, healthy water
play, and energy conservation, giving one and all a
good look at a new vision for balanced living in the
riverside Gongguan neighborhood.
 The
festival will run nine weeks, ending August 29, and
there will be something extra-special going on each
and every day, daytime and night-time. In July and August
respectively there will be a big outdoor stage performance
and a Chinese Valentine’s Day concert, and in the afternoon
of every Saturday and Sunday there will be amazing magic
shows, rollicking clown shows, thundering song and dance
shows, and other good-time amusements. Most beloved
by all the little visitors, however, will surely be
the electric go-karts, outdoor water-mist projection,
and an outdoor theater under the stars. As you can see,
whether you’re little in size or little at heart, there’s
something for everyone during these fun days of summer.
The Taipei Water Park Experience – History, Culture,
Recreation
 While
you’re in the Taipei Water Park, be sure to visit some
of the other nifty facilities such as the Aqua Friendly
Experiencing Area (親水體驗區) and the Drinking Water Museum
(自來水博物館); at the latter you can learn about the origins
of this heritage architecture, about the history of
Taipei’s water sources, and about the local culture.
Then you can hop on a bike and head off on a meandering
bike excursion along the riverside bike-path network,
heading west and then northwest as far as the Guandu
(關渡) wetlands and the oceanside port of Danshui (淡水).
Or head east to the Bitan (碧潭) riverbank recreation
area in Xindian (新店), where gentle breezes caress, waterfowl
dance about entertaining you, and the emerald-green
views of placid waters, bluffs, and mountain backdrop
still the soul. Or head off for the eco-trails of Mt.
Xiaoguanyin (小觀音山) to commune with the precious treasures
Mother Nature has brought into our world.
 The
Gongguan smile is truly a vision of beauty that’s pure.
Will you be adding your smile to the joy at the Taipei
Aqua Friendly Festival this summer ?
Information
2010 Taipei Aqua Friendly Festival
2010臺北親水節
Time: 7/3-8/29 09:00-20:00 (closed Mon)
Venue: Taipei Water Park, 1 Siyuan St.
(自來水園區, 思源街1號)
Tel: (02) 8369-5104
Website: www.twd.gov.tw
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