Cold weather brings higher costs, but 20 Beitou hot spring businesses hold the line on prices

▲ Twenty businesses in the Beitou hot spring area jointly announce their commitment to no price increases. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Currently, the Beitou hot spring area in New Taipei is the only one in Taiwan where all hot spring operators have obtained the official hot spring certification. Since the opening of the Xinyi Line of the Taipei MRT, it's now directly accessible from Xinyi/Zhishan and Taipei 101, making it an extremely convenient hot spring destination.

With recent increases in electricity, fuel, and gas prices, the public's living expenses have risen, and according to regulations, starting January 1st, 2014, the hot spring extraction fee will also increase from the current NT$4.5 per unit to NT$9, which is bound to affect the overall cost of hot spring bathing.

To allow the public to enjoy the pleasure of hot spring bathing in winter, the Taipei City Government and the Taipei Hot Spring Development Association jointly signed a declaration on December 24th, pledging no price hikes as of January 1st, 2014, working together to keep hot spring prices stable. In addition to maintaining current pricing, Beitou hot springs continue to develop a soaking culture that includes traditional Taiwanese cuisine and floral bath products, helping locals and visitors alike stay warm through the winter.