Ayun | FunTime
Have you been feeling the chill of winter lately~ As the weather gradually turns cooler, aside from warming up your body with sesame oil chicken, soaking in hot springs is also a great choice. Taiwan has many types of hot springs scattered across different regions. Take a holiday trip outdoors and relax in a leisurely hot spring soak!
Accessible via MRT in Xinbeitou, very convenient
(source by Wikipedia)
If you’re thinking about soaking in hot springs in Taipei, Beitou is probably the first place that comes to mind. The hot spring water in Beitou is acidic sulfate-chloride water, categorized into two types: green sulfur and white sulfur. The hot springs at the Geothermal Valley are of the green sulfur type, ideal for egg-boiling and sightseeing, making it a favorite tourist attraction. The hot springs along Beitou Hot Spring Road are white sulfur type, known to treat skin conditions, promote healthy blood circulation, and uplift your mood. Sometimes, you can even catch the scent of sulfur around the Geothermal Valley, which has become one of Beitou’s distinctive features.
Hot springs gushing out due to tectonic fractures caused by earthquakes
(source by Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
The hot springs in Jinshan come from Datun Mountain, flowing through Machang, Jinshan, and Wanli before emerging from the seaside. Traveling along Yangjin Highway from Yangmingshan will lead you to Jinshan Hot Springs, with beautiful scenic views of Yangmingshan and the northern coast that refresh the spirit. The waters of Jinshan Hot Springs are both bathable and drinkable, said to help improve chronic conditions such as women's diseases, beriberi, rheumatism, and skin issues, and are also suitable for people with sensitive skin!
Taipei’s backyard — great for a day trip too~
(source by Jiaoxi Tourism Website)
Jiaoxi Hot Springs are sodium bicarbonate springs rich in minerals, not only suitable for soaking and bathing but also for making into mineral water for drinking, all beneficial to health. Sodium bicarbonate springs can soften the stratum corneum — soaking in them is like immersing yourself in natural toner. It is said that regular soaks in sodium bicarbonate springs can moisturize and whiten the skin, which is why Yilan’s Jiaoxi Hot Springs are also known as “Beauty Soup”!
Nearby Attractions: Wufengqi Waterfall, Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park, Magao Ecological Park
In the Atayal language, Wulai means boiling hot springs
(source by Wikipedia)
Wulai Hot Springs are a well-known mountain hot spring in Taiwan, similar to Jiaoxi Hot Springs in function, offering benefits such as soothing fatigue and promoting blood circulation. After soaking, you may feel your whole body light and relaxed. Nearby, there are attractions like Wulai Old Street and Wulai Waterfall. With Atayal culture, a quaint old street, and hot springs, Wulai is definitely worth a visit!
Nearby Attractions: Wulai Hot Springs, Wulai Waterfall
A famous hot spring destination in southern Taiwan
(source by Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
Baolai Hot Springs are located in Liouguei, Kaohsiung, situated a bit off the northeast of the city, which is why the Japanese army who came to Taiwan back then thought this place was like a paradise on earth. Baolai Hot Springs are formed by geothermal activity, classified as hydrogen sulfide springs. The water is transparent, clear, colorless, and odorless, and is said to have multiple benefits such as invigorating bones, beautifying the skin, and supporting the immune system. Moreover, the hot spring water in Baolai is not only good for soaking but also drinkable — truly high-quality hot springs, don’t you think?
Editor’s note:: The Liouguei area is rich in natural resources, with many scenic spots worth exploring!
Nearby Attractions:Baolai Flower Viewing Hot Spring Park, Eighteen Arhats Mountain
Zhiben Hot Springs with scenic East Rift Valley views
(source by Taitung Government Tourism Website)
When it comes to hot springs in Taiwan, many will immediately think of Zhiben Hot Springs in Taitung — the most comprehensively developed hot spring town in the country, known as the “No.1 Scenic Spot in Eastern Taiwan” and listed among Taiwan’s Eight Great Sights. Zhiben Hot Springs are alkaline carbonic acid springs, clear and colorless, rich in minerals, and offer benefits such as whitening, moisturizing, and improving blood circulation.
Zhiben is surrounded by mountains and abundant natural resources. While soaking in the hot springs, you can also enjoy the beauty of the mountain forests. Zhiben is also home to settlements of the Rukai and Paiwan tribes, where indigenous culture and local snacks add even more charm to the area.
Nearby Attractions:Zhiben Gorge, White Jade Waterfall, Qingjue Temple, and Zhiben Forest Recreation Area
:Along with Red Leaf Hot Springs and Antong Hot Springs, they are known as the three major hot spring areas in Hualien
:(Source: Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
:Ruisui Hot Spring is a weakly alkaline chloride-carbonate spring rich in minerals, giving it a slight golden-yellow hue, hence the name "Golden Soup." The iron content in the water oxidizes upon exposure to air, forming a yellowish, cloudy crystalline layer on the surface, known as "soup flowers" or "hot spring flowers." There's even a local legend that soaking in this hot spring increases the chances of having a baby boy, earning it the nickname "Boy-Bearing Spring."
:Nearby Attractions:Ruisui Ranch, Red Leaf Tribe, Chike Mountain
:Emperor Meiji was so impressed that he named it "Meiji Hot Spring"
:(Source: Taichung Tourism Website)
:Guguan Hot Spring is a weakly alkaline carbonated spring containing a high amount of sulfides, which gives off a pungent smell when approached. Due to its steep location, mountain spring water rushes through rocky terrain, keeping the springs flowing year-round. Guguan Hot Spring is said to help alleviate conditions such as arthritis, neuralgia, gastrointestinal diseases, and athlete’s foot—definitely worth a try. Legend has it that when Emperor Meiji visited Guguan to soak in the hot springs, he was so impressed that upon returning to Japan, the empress became pregnant and gave birth to a prince. Hence, like Ruisui Hot Spring, it also earned the reputation of being a "Boy-Bearing Spring."
:Nearby Attractions:Guguan Suspension Bridge, Shaolai Suspension Bridge, Guguan Hot Spring Park, Eight Immortals Mountain Forest Recreation Area
:Surrounded by high mountains and offering beautiful scenery
(Source by Wikipedia)
:Located in Dongpu, Xinyi Township, Nantou, Dongpu Hot Spring sits right next to Yushan National Park. Nestled among numerous mountains and crisscrossed by streams, the scenery here is truly stunning. The hot spring water in Dongpu is crystal clear, suitable for both bathing and drinking, and offers benefits such as relieving fatigue and promoting health. And there's more—Xinyi Township in Nantou is famous for its plum production. In winter, while soaking in the hot springs, you can also admire the breathtaking sight of plum blossoms blooming like falling snow. Truly a luxurious experience!
:Nearby Attractions:Batongguan Ancient Trail, Rainbow Waterfall, Lovers' Valley
:Undersea hot springs in Green Island, Taitung
:(Source: Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
:Asahi Hot Springs is a rare undersea hot spring—one of only three in the world. One is in our Green Island, while the other two are in Italy and Kyushu, Japan. What makes it unique is that the spring water seeps from seawater or groundwater in the nearby sea area, entering the earth and emerging from the intertidal zone under pressure. The water carries a slight salty taste from the sea, is non-irritating to human skin, and doesn’t feel sticky after bathing. It’s a world-class geological attraction where you can soak in hot springs while enjoying the sunrise or a star-filled sky!
:Address: No. 167, Hot Spring Road, Gongguan Village, Green Island Township, Taitung County
:Opening Hours: 08:00–24:00
:Above, we’ve rounded up ten must-visit hot springs in Taiwan. Take this chance to explore other parts of the country. Taiwan offers a variety of hot spring types
[Authorized reprint from FUNTIME Travel Search & Comparison Website | Original article: [Taiwan’s Top 10 Hot Springs]Best Places for Hot Spring Bathing in Taiwan in Winter]
Executive Editor \ Helen Proofreader \ Angela
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