Beitou Hot Springs

Beitou Hot Springs

With a history of over 100 years, Beitou Hot Springs is the most famous hot spring resort in Taiwan. Taipei residents often visit after work to soothe fatigue and relieve job stress by soaking in the springs. Guide

Guide

Beitou Hot Springs is located in Beitou District, Taipei City, and generally refers to more than ten hot spring areas such as the Thermal Valley, Longfeng, Fenghuang, Hushanli, and Xingyi Road. In a narrower sense, Beitou Hot Springs mainly refers to the area around the Beitou Hot Spring Hydro Park, including Zhongshan Road, Guangming Road, Xinmin Road, and Quanyuan Road. This area has larger and more densely clustered hot spring hotels, as well as abundant natural and cultural resources. Introduction

Introduction

In the 20th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1894), German sulfur merchant Ouely used the Beitou Hot Springs to build a hot spring club, marking the beginning of their development. In 1896, Japanese businessman Hirata Gen’go from Osaka discovered the high quality of Beitou Hot Springs, recognizing their great tourism and commercial potential. He thus opened Taiwan’s first hot spring inn, the Tian’gou’an, on the banks of the Beitou River. Spring Quality Introduction

Due to the different locations of thermal sources under the Datun Mountain Range where Beitou Hot Springs are situated, the springs vary in quality and color, mainly falling into three types: white sulfur, blue sulfur, and iron sulfur. White sulfur water is milky white and weakly acidic, blue sulfur is highly acidic with strong corrosiveness, while iron sulfur appears light reddish-brown due to its iron content. It is said that all three types can help treat arthritis, muscle soreness, and chronic dermatitis. They can also be combined with SPA and aromatherapy to elevate the bathing experience. Recommended Soaking Locations

Map of Soaking Spots in Beitou

Thermal Valley Hot Springs: Take bus 小6, 小7, 小9, 216, 218, 219, 223, 230, 266, or the Tamsui MRT Line to Beitou Station, then walk about 15–20 minutes uphill along Zhongshan Road.

Xingyi Road Hot Springs: Take bus 508 or 612 to Xingyi Road Station, then enter via Lane 300 or Lane 401.

Longfeng Hot Springs: Take bus 230 to Longfeng Valley Station, then walk down the path next to the Longfeng Valley Restaurant near the bus stop.

Fenghuang Hot Springs: Take bus 508 or 612 to Dunxu Industrial & Commercial School Station, or take bus 230 to Shamao Bridge Station and follow the streamside steps. Alternatively, get off at Longfeng Valley Station and walk down the path next to the Longfeng Valley Restaurant.

Hushanli Hot Springs: Take bus 230 to Shamao Bridge Station, where clear signs will guide you. Beitou Hot Spring Museum

The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is located within the Beitou Hot Spring area and is open to the public free of charge. The museum has two floors: the first floor includes the Beitou Hot Spring Bath Exhibition Area, the Beitou Stone Exhibition Area, and the Hot Spring Beitou Exhibition Area. The second floor features the Beitou Hot Spring Resort History Exhibition Area, the Indigenous Peoples of Beitou Exhibition Area, the Tatami Activity Hall Exhibition Area, the Multimedia Audiovisual Room, the Beitou Industry Exhibition Area, and the Taiwan Hollywood Exhibition Area.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Closed: Mondays and national holidays.

Notes:

1. As the museum is a historical site, visitor numbers are limited to a maximum of 100 people.

2. Groups (25 people or more) must apply at least one week in advance for a guided tour arranged by the museum.

3. Visitors must change into slippers provided by the museum. Taipei Hot Spring Festival

Though called the Taipei Hot Spring Festival, it is actually held annually in the Beitou area between October and November. During the festival, the Taiwan Hot Spring Association collaborates with various hotels to offer special deals. Therefore, gathering friends to soak in the springs during this period is a warm and ideal choice for autumn and winter travel. Food · Accommodation · Shopping

Accommodation: Staying at a hot spring hotel in Beitou to enjoy a night of hot spring ambiance is a great choice. For example, Takino-yu at 244 Guangming Road, with nearly 90 years of bathing culture, offers co-ed public baths with separate pools. Yitun (formerly known as Xingno-yu) and Yin Song Ge on Youya Road retain their Japanese-style wooden architecture and gardens, offering hot spring bathing, rest, accommodation, and dining. The Spring Hotel is an international-level hot spring resort, offering the highest-end experience. Other options include Reihai, Quandu, Jia Bin Ge, and Xin Nian Zhuang Hotel, which provide more standard accommodations.