“Water Running Festival” dates back 3 centuries to the Emperor Kangxi Period during the Qing Dynasty. At the time, when “Babao Canal” was being constructed, the officials were troubled by the unsuccessful attempt to introduce water to the canal. Subsequently, local gentry Mr. Lin presented his drawings and demonstrated to them key knowledge about water diversion. A decade later, water from Zhuoshui River was successful diverted to irrigate the plains, in turn facilitating Changhua’s thriving development and prosperity today. As a result, “Ershui Water Running Festival” – the largest folk cultural celebration of Changhua County – is held after autumn harvest each year. The unique canal festival combines art, culture, and ceremonies to host a series of blessing activities. Visitors are invited to experience the picturesque sights, water running culture and embark on a cultural journey.
[Ershui Water Running Festival]
Thanks to the opening of the Babao Canal that introduces water from Zhuoshui River to irrigate the Changhua Plain, the area has been developed into a hub of agriculture in Taiwan. The history of the canal’s development commemorates canal developers, Mr. Shih Shih-Pang, Mr. Huang Shih-Ching and water resources expert Mr. Lin. At the tri-centennial of Babao Canal’s development, the “Taiwan Water Running Festival – Legend of Babao Canal” is held at the historically and culturally significant “Changhua Mother’s River” to express gratitude to Mother Nature and the kindness of our forefathers, who never gave up despite hardship they experienced during the decade of the development of the Babao Canal. This is not only the perfect embodiment of the “Taiwanese spirit, but also people’s “Virtue of being thankful” and “Performing good deeds without bragging about it”.