Head out immediately when it gets cold! A short hot spring trip in Nantou — explore Dongpu Suspension Bridge and the Glass Bridge of Light

▲Winter's Little Joy: A Light Getaway to Dongpu Hot Springs in Nantou—Just Go When It’s Cold.

Reported by Chen Hanyin in Nantou, Photos by Lin Shiwen

Cold winter days are perfect for soaking in hot springs. Dongpu Hot Springs is located in Xinyi Township, Nantou County, near Yushan National Park, with many famous natural attractions nearby including Rainbow Waterfall, Father-Son Cliff, Batongguan Ancient Trail, and the Glass Bridge of Glowing Light. Its prime location attracts many travelers stopping between these sites to soak in warm waters, stay overnight, and fully unwind.

Dongpu Hot Springs

▲Soaking in an open-air hot spring surrounded by nature is an ultimate delight.

Soaking in hot springs is one of the greatest joys of winter. Getting into steaming hot water on a cold day allows your body and mind to completely relax. Dongpu is famed for its natural hot springs and mountain scenery, sitting at an altitude of about 1,200 meters. The spring water is weakly alkaline sodium bicarbonate, mainly emerging from two natural sources with temperatures of 49°C and 66°C, belonging to metamorphic rock hot springs originating from the Snow Mountain Range.

▲The water quality of Dongpu Hot Springs is weakly alkaline, with a pH of around 7.5 to 8.5.

▲Sodium bicarbonate springs are colorless and odorless, leaving skin soft and smooth after bathing, hence known as the "Beauty Spring."

▲Natural Dongpu Hot Springs require no artificial heating, naturally emerging as medium-temperature 49°C pools and high-temperature 66°C pools.

▲Dongpu Hot Springs are a rare type of natural, unprocessed spring water gushing directly from rock crevices and stone layers.

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Dongpu Suspension Bridge
Opening Hours: All day
Admission: Free
Address: No. 98-10, Kaigao Lane, Xinyi Township, Nantou County

▲Dongpu Suspension Bridge is the highest and longest in Taiwan.

The Dongpu Suspension Bridge is approximately 200 meters long and 128 meters high. Completed in late 2005, it is the highest and longest suspension bridge in Taiwan and the third bridge over the Dongpu River Valley. Spanning a stream that flows from Rainbow Waterfall, it is one of the few climbing-style suspension bridges in Taiwan, with an elevation difference of 8 meters. Its red-and-green colors blend into the mountains, swaying between valleys. The narrow transparent hollow design in the middle of the bridge deck lets visitors look down at the stunning stream below.

▲The Dongpu Suspension Bridge is about 200 meters long, with breathtaking valley views on both sides.

▲From the bridge, you can overlook the stream and waterfall scenery.

▲The stone mural symbolizing the spirit of indigenous people looks like hands holding up the entire bridge from this angle.

Plum Dream Factory
Address: No. 11, Xinkai Lane, Xinyi Township, Nantou County

▲Plum Dream Factory sells a variety of plum-related products.

Nantou’s Xinyi Township is a major plum-producing area in Taiwan, with around 1,400 hectares of plum trees planted locally, and its plums are well-known far and wide. Originally the Nantou Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association Food Processing Plant, it has now been transformed into a leisure stop combining shopping and dining. The Plum Dream Factory complex sells hundreds of plum processed goods and plum wines. Pass by to grab a cup of sour plum juice to refresh yourself before continuing your journey.

▲Nantou’s Xinyi Township is one of the main plum-producing areas, with plum blossoms blooming along the way.

▲A dazzling array of plum series products attract many visitors to buy them as souvenirs during holidays.

Glass Bridge of Glowing Light
Address: No. 47, Yu Shan Road, Mingde Village, Xinyi Township, Nantou County
Opening Hours: 08:00–15:00*Note: During the 6-day Lunar New Year holiday, the park is closed on January 27 (Fri), Chinese New Year’s Eve, and on February 1 (Wed); normal opening hours resume on other days.
Admission: NT$100 for adults; NT$70 for concessions; free entry for people with disabilities and one accompanying person (with disability ID), preschool children, and local residents (with ID).

▲The transparent glass bridge deck makes your legs go weak.

The Pinglai Glass Bridge of Glowing Light cost NT$6 million and took a year to build. Its fully transparent glass floor is nerve-wracking but rewards you with views of the valley about ten stories below. Overcome your fear and take in the spectacular mountain scenery. This sightseeing spot is part of a hiking park, with a round-trip trail of 2 km that takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. Explore the wonders of nature along the guided route.

▲It takes at least an hour to explore the full hiking course of the Glass Bridge of Glowing Light park.

▲The natural landscape of Swallow Cliff is a product of weathering.

▲The "One-Line Sky" Flying Rock formation amazes with the wonders of nature.

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