The Famous Hot Spring Discovered by the Atayal Tribe: Guguan Hot Springs Has Been in Operation for Over a Century

Long Valley View Hotel has created the "N.E.C Crystal Energy Bath" using crystal energy, claiming to contain natural magnetic fields that help boost vitality. (Provided by the operator)

Shenmu Valley Holiday Hotel boasts a national treasure-level millennium-old five-needle pine sacred tree and offers open-air hot springs, allowing visitors to enjoy a moment of tranquility and the essence of phytoncides. (Provided by the operator)

Lichi Landscape Resort is located at the highest point in Guguan, built in European style along the hillside. Rooms come with private soaking and massage tubs, offering great privacy and picturesque views of the Dajia River’s majestic scenery. (Provided by the operator)

Lichi Landscape Resort features semi-open-air bathhouses and public spa pools. When surrounded by mist, it feels like soaking in the clouds. (Provided by the operator)

The century-old Guguan Hot Springs area is located near Km 34 on Provincial Highway 8 of the Central Cross-Island Highway and gathers over ten lodging operators, each with its own unique features. (Photo by Wang Wenji)

Guguan Hot Springs, which has been in operation for over a century, gushes out from the mountainside. It was discovered by the Atayal people in 1907 and later developed by the Japanese, who built bathhouses and named it "Meiji Hot Springs," earning the reputation as the “No.1 Hot Spring in Central Taiwan.” The water temperature ranges between 48 and 60 degrees Celsius, classified as a weak alkaline carbonated spring. The milky white water is smooth and contains sulfides with a sulfuric scent. It is said to relieve stress, reduce fatigue, and benefit joints, nerves, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and help soften calluses.

The Guguan Hot Springs area has been in operation for 110 years and is home to over ten lodging operators. The local long-established Guguan Hot Springs Hotel is situated by the stream and mountain, featuring 153 hot spring suites with scenic balconies. Facilities include open-air baths, hot spring fish foot soaking pools, and cypress steam rooms. Weekday rates for double rooms start under NT$2,400, while single-person hot spring soaking with meals costs NT$400.

Long Valley View Hotel offers the "N.E.C Crystal Energy Bath" and "Crystal Suites" using crystal energy. Both men’s and women’s baths have hot, warm, and cold pools, log steam rooms, and infrared saunas, following the Japanese-style naked onsen tradition. The operator offers a value-packed NT$2,000 hot spring card, which includes 20 soaks plus one free weekday stay for four people.

Shenmu Valley Holiday Hotel features a national treasure-level millennium-old five-needle pine sacred tree. In addition to open-air hot springs that let visitors enjoy peace and phytoncides, the hotel also lends out tea sets for free, allowing guests to enjoy tea and admire the pines in the sacred tree garden. Starting now, an end-of-year military, government, and education special promotion offers double rooms at up to 56% off on weekdays, limited to 5 rooms per day.

Lichi Landscape Resort, situated at the highest point in Guguan and accompanied by 500-year-old pine trees, is built in European style along the hillside. At night, you can gaze at the lights of the entire Guguan Valley. Rooms feature private soaking and massage tubs. There are also semi-open-air bathhouses and public spa pools. Weekday accommodation is 60% off, 80% off on holidays, 70% off for bathhouses, and public hot springs start at NT$200.

In recent years, the Taichung City Government has promoted international hot spring exchanges with Japan and South Korea, forming sister hot spring relationships with South Korea’s Yuseong Hot Springs, Japan’s Gero, Beppu, Yufuin, and Mishima Hot Springs. The entrance landscape and foot-soaking experience plaza at the Guguan Hot Springs area have also been completed and opened, offering visitors a new place to relax and unwind.

Address: Section 1, Dongguan Road, Heping District, Taichung City, near Km 34 on Provincial Highway 8 of the Central Cross-Island Highway Transportation Info: Take Bus 153 from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, Bus 207 from Fengnong Fengyuan Station, or Bus 266 from Fengnong Dongshi Station. Card payment enjoys free rides for the first 10 kilometers.