Su’ao Cold Spring

Su’ao Cold Spring

The formation of Su’ao Cold Spring is due to the abundant rainfall in Yilan and the thick limestone terrain in the local area of Su’ao, making it one of the two natural treasures hidden deep underground on the Lanyang Plain, alongside Jiaoxi Hot Springs.

The cold spring area is situated to the north of Su’ao Town, approximately 300 meters in front of Su’ao Railway Station, around the area where Zhongyuan Road and Lengquan Road meet. It was discovered as early as 1928. This is a “low-temperature mineral spring” with a temperature below 22°C, colorless, odorless, and with crystal-clear water. It is a carbonated spring that is both suitable for bathing and drinking.

Because Su’ao Cold Spring contains a high level of carbon dioxide, fish and shrimp cannot survive in it, and insects that fall into the water die shortly afterward, which once led to it being mistakenly considered a poisonous spring. During the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan in 1928, Japanese soldier Takeshi Nakashima accidentally discovered that the spring water was cool and drinkable, and he subsequently conducted research and development on Su’ao Cold Spring.

When bathing in the cold spring, the water temperature is lower than the human body’s temperature, so upon first entering the pool, it may feel quite cold. However, after soaking for less than five minutes, you’ll start to feel your whole body heat up. Moreover, because fine bubbles continuously rise from the bottom of the pool, it feels like soaking in sugar-free soda, which is quite unique. Visiting to soak in the cold spring during different seasons—winter or summer—also offers distinct and special experiences.

It is said that frequently soaking in Su’ao Cold Spring can help treat skin conditions, and long-term consumption is believed to have therapeutic effects on stomach and liver diseases. It is also hailed by local women as a natural beauty remedy.

Currently, the cold spring area features one men’s and one women’s open-air public pool, along with 16 private bath tubs. There is also a sales kiosk offering swimsuits, swim trunks, cold and hot drinks, and swim caps, as well as a well-planned leisure park for recreation.

In addition, because the cold spring water is clear, sweet-tasting, and rich in carbon dioxide, it can also be used to make food and beverages. Su’ao’s famous “yokan” (sweet bean jelly) and the early “ramune” soda (commonly called nam-nam), were both made using cold spring water. Although the latter is no longer produced, yokan remains a signature specialty of Su’ao Cold Spring.