Beat the summer heat: Discover seven free water play squares across Taiwan

▲ On weekends, Taipei’s Dajia Riverside Park sees many parents bringing their children to play in the water and beat the heat. (Photo / Taken fromTaipei Tourism Network)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As temperatures soar and the weather becomes unbearably hot, people flock to cooler spots, making water attractions the most popular destinations. Although theme park tickets can easily cost NT$500–600, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot to have fun. ETtoday Travel Cloud shows you how to enjoy the summer both affordably and refreshingly.

Taipei Dajia Riverside Park

Near the fountain in Dajia Riverside Park, there’s a children’s water play area equipped with various water jets and fountains that automatically activate at opening time. The ground is covered with slip-resistant patterned paving, and there’s also a washing area for rinsing off after playing. It’s safe and convenient.

In addition, the park has plenty of space and features other amenities such as children's play equipment and a sandpit. On weekends, you’ll see many families cycling, sliding, and rollerblading together — making it an ideal spot for parent-child fun. Water play area opening hours:During summer (July and August), it’s open daily from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; in September, it’s open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Dajia Riverside Park
Address: No. 5, Binjiang St., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Transportation: Bus routes 72, 222, 527, Brown 12 (Dajia Elementary School Stop); Citizens’ Minibus 9 (No. 8 Water Gate Stop); transfer to Red 34 (No. 8 Water Gate Stop) from Taipei Metro Yuanshan Station

▲ In summer, Longtan Pool is filled with water, and the dragon’s tongue inside becomes a favorite water slide for kids. (Photo / Screenshot fromLeisurely Strolls by the Pool)

Taoyuan Longtan Pool

Taoyuan’s Longtan Township doesn’t have a public swimming pool, so the township office has set up two parent-child water play areas next to Longtan Pool and the sports park. Longtan Pool features a small dragon-shaped waterslide. Both pools have knee-deep water and are free to use — swimwear isn’t required. The water comes from wells and although water quality is tested regularly, it shouldn’t be consumed to avoid getting sick. Closed on Mondays and Fridays for cleaning, the pools are open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM the rest of the week, with lifeguards on site to ensure everyone’s safety.

Longtan Pool
Address: No. 100-1, Shanglin Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan County
Transportation:
1. Take bus routes 5620, 5634, 5653, or 5671 operated by Xinzhucheng Bus from Zhongli Railway Station and get off at Longtan Pool Stop, or get off at Longtan Stop and walk.
2. Take bus route 701 operated by Taoyuan Bus and get off at Longtan Farmers' Market Stop, then walk 100 meters to reach the pool.

▲ Hsinchu’s Beipu Cold Spring offers refreshingly cool water, becoming a top summer destination. (Photo / Taken fromTaiwan Travel News Network)

Hsinchu Beipu Cold Spring

When summer arrives, the Beipu Cold Spring in Beipu Township, Hsinchu County, becomes a popular escape from the heat, especially crowded on holidays. Located by the Daping River in Beipu, the cold spring maintains a year-round temperature between 10–20°C, making it a rare natural cold spring in Taiwan. It’s a carbonated spring with a faint sulfur scent.

The cool spring water in summer becomes the top choice for many family outings. On scorching summer days, soaking in the cold spring relieves all the heat and leaves you feeling refreshed. If you're lucky, after nightfall, you might even see shimmering fireflies dancing along Daping Creek. Best of all, it's open to the public free of charge all year round!

Hsinchu Beibu Cold Spring
Address: Waiping Village, Beibu Township, Hsinchu County (Route Zhushan 37)
Transportation: Take a Hsinchu Bus from Zhudong bound for Beibu or Shan-zhu Lake, get off at Beibu Station, then transfer to the bus to Xiaonankeng and get off at Jiufenzi Station. Walk along Daping Creek to reach the destination.

▲The splash pad at Miaoli Civic Square has become a favorite water play spot for kids. (Photo / Courtesy ofMiaoli City Government Facebook)

Miaoli Civic Square

The splash pad at Miaoli’s “Civic Square” also started spraying water in July. To accommodate summer vacation, extended water spray hours have been added—every weekend from 4 pm to 8 pm, with ten-minute sprays every half hour until September 1st. The area features interactive magic balls, parent-child water dance shows, fun water fountains, a water curtain triumphal arch, a children’s water play zone, a kid-sized water slide, and various other playful water facilities. This year, summer has kicked off with extra excitement. The square has also purchased NT$2 million in public liability insurance to ensure a safe water play environment for visitors.

Miaoli Civic Square:
Address: No. 100, Xianfu Road, Miaoli County.

▲The Shuili Water Festival offers many free facilities that attract numerous visitors. (Photo / Courtesy ofShuili Water Festival official website)

Nantou Shuili Water Festival

Organized by the Shuili Township Office, the Shuili Water Festival takes place mainly at the Shuili Water Park. Shuttle buses run between Shuili Railway Station and the Water Park. This year’s festival runsfrom July 19th to August 17th, open every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. In addition to a variety of free inflatable water attractions, fountains, and big water buckets, the park also offers DIY sessions on local agricultural specialties, performances by various groups, parent-child water competitions, water resource awareness activities, a Water Drop Baby cutout photo spot, a Water Drop Baby stamp-collecting event, free shuttle services, and lucky draw activities. The surrounding area also features a food zone with refreshing treats, making dining very convenient.

Shuili Water Festival
Location: Downstream of Shuili River under Shuiyun Bridge, Shuili Township, Nantou County
Transportation:
1. Train: Take the Taiwan Railways’ West Coast Line to “Changhua Ershui Station” → Transfer to the Jiji Line and take a local train to “Shuili Railway Station” → Then take the on-site shuttle bus directly to the Water Park.
2. Bus: Take the “Zongda Bus” bound for Shuili from Taichung → Then take the on-site shuttle bus at “Shuili Railway Station” directly to the Water Park.

▲The whale pool at Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf in Chiayi opened its water earlier this year to let the public enjoy splashing around. (Photo / Courtesy ofChiayi County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Chiayi Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf Whale Pool

The whale pool at Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf is another popular water play destination. It traditionally opens for water filling and public access on July 1st each year. This year, it opened nine days early in response to the unusually hot summer. After discussion, the decision was made to start the season earlier to offer visitors a great place to cool off. From July through the end of August, the whale pool undergoes cleaning and water replacement every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. It is open to the public for water play from 10 am to 6 pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Chiayi Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf
Address: No. 420, Caixia Boulevard, Dongshi Township, Chiayi County
Transportation:
1. Take a Tunghsin Bus from Taipei on the Taipei–Dongshi Line to get there.
2. Take a Chiayi Bus via Puzi to Dongshi (Xm Harbor Line).
3. First take a Chiayi Bus to Puzi, then transfer to a bus to Dongshi at the Puzi Station (Xm Harbor Line).
4. Take a Chiayi County Bus to Puzi, then transfer to a Chiayi Bus to Dongshi.
5. Take a Xinying Bus to Puzi, then transfer to a Chiayi Bus to Dongshi (Xm Harbor Line).

▲The Datianpi Wanglai Park in Guanmiao, Tainan, has now been filled with water and is open to the public for cooling off and water play. (Photo / Courtesy ofTainan City Government Public Works Bureau Parks Website)

Datianpi Wanglai Park in Guanmiao, Tainan

Datianpi Wanglai Park in Guanmiao, Tainan attracts many parents and children every summer to cool off and play in the water; especially the splash pool, which is a favorite among kids. The pineapple-shaped splash pool features a water fountain and SPA jet sprays, which are especially popular with children. Starting July 8th this year, the park is also open free of charge to the public for water play every Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Datianpi Wanglai Park in Guanmiao, Tainan
Address: Datianpi Wanglai Park, Wanglai Road, Guanmiao District, Tainan City
Transportation: Exit at Guanmiao Interchange → Turn left onto Provincial Highway 19A → Turn left onto Zhongshan Road → Turn right onto Wanglai Road → After about 300 meters, turn left → Datianpi Wanglai Park

Are there any other fun and free water play spots? Leave us a comment below and let us know!!