Cool off in the water for free！A selection of 12 “free” splash pads across Taiwan

▲ Hualien “ZhiKaXuan Green Forest Splash Park” (Photo provided by Hualien County Government)

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Comprehensive report

Is it unbearably hot? Does cooling off necessarily mean turning on the air conditioner? Why not head out to play in the water instead? Tickets to swimming pools or water parks can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars—frequent visits might even cost more than your electricity bill. Want to save money while still enjoying the water every day? ETtoday and Eastern Broadcasting Co. have specially compiled a list of 12 “free” splash pads across Taiwan. If you’re worried about being bored on holidays but don’t want to spend money, invite family and friends to cool off together by playing in the water！

Hualien ZhiKaXuan Green Forest Splash Park

Located in Ji’an Township, the “ZhiKaXuan Green Forest Splash Park” features a 4,000-square-meter water play area within its 18-hectare grounds, including water slides, a lazy river, and a maze. Among the popular facilities are a two-story, 14-meter-long water slide and a 70-meter-long lazy river. The park also offers a rainbow fountain and a wave pool, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the fun of splashing around in the summer heat. It’s open to the public for free from July until the end of August. (Swimwear and swim caps are required for use.)

Address: Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Ji’an Township, Hualien County
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 11:50 AM, 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM

▲ Yilan Nanao Dongyue Spring (Photo by reporter Chen Shichang)

Yilan Dongyue Spring

Dongyue Spring is located near the Suhua Highway by the East Coast of Dongao. When driving south along the highway from the north and approaching Dongao, there will be clear signs pointing to Dongyue Spring. Make a right turn and walk along the road for about three minutes to reach the site. The spring pool is situated beneath both the old and new railway bridges. While soaking here, you might also hear the rumble of trains passing overhead.

Address: Section 3, Su-Hua Road, Dongyue Village, Nanao Township, Yilan County (behind Dong’ao Elementary School)
Opening hours: No restrictions

▲ Nuannuan Splash Park (Photo fromTaiwan International Medical Web)

Nuannuan Splash Park

Located in Nuannuan District, Keelung City, Nuannuan Splash Park boasts the city’s first splash pad and water play pool. Facilities include an artistic fountain pool, a children’s splash pool, a splash walkway, and other children’s play equipment. Scheduled to open on July 9, 2016, it will be available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Sprinklers will be turned off on Mondays and Fridays for cleaning and maintenance.

Address: Opposite Nuandong Nursery, Dongding Road, Nuannuan District, Keelung City
Phone: (02)2457-9121

▲ Dajia Riverside Park (Photo fromTaipei Travel Net)

Taipei Dajia Riverside Park

The children’s water play area near the Fountain of Hope at Dajia Riverside Park is equipped with various water jets and spray rings that activate automatically during opening hours. The ground is covered with non-slip textured pavement, and a washing area is provided for rinsing off after playing in the water, making it safe and convenient.

In addition, the park has ample space and offers children’s play equipment and a sandbox area. On weekends, you can see many families riding bikes, using slides, and inline skating with their kids, making it a great spot for parent-child fun. The water play area is open daily from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in July and August, and on Saturdays and Sundays during those times in June and September.

Address: No. 5, Binjiang Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Transportation: Bus routes 72, 222, 527, Brown 12 (Dajia Elementary School Stop), Citizens’ Mini Bus 9 (No. 8 Water Gate Stop), or transfer to Red 34 from Yuanshan MRT Station (No. 8 Water Gate Stop)

▲ Longtan Pond Water Play Area (Photo fromEnjoy a leisurely stroll by the pool）

Longtan Big Pool in Taoyuan

Since there is no public swimming pool in Longtan Township, the township office has specially set up a parent-child water play area next to Longtan Big Pool and the sports park, which was open during the summer vacation in previous years. Longtan Big Pool also features a small waterslide shaped like a dragon. Both pools have knee-deep water and are free to use without requiring swimwear. The water in both play areas comes from wells. Although regular water quality tests are conducted, the water is not potable to avoid getting sick.

Address: No. 100-1, Shanglin Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan County
Transportation:
1. Take Bus 5620, 5634, or 5653 of Xinzhu Bus from in front of Zhongli Station and get off at Longtan Big Pool Station, or take Bus 5671 and get off at Longtan Station.
2. Take Taoyuan Bus Line 701 and get off at Longtan Nonggong Station, then walk 100 meters to reach the destination.

▲ Miaoli Civic Square Fountain (Photo provided by Miaoli City Government)

Miaoli Civic Square

The water play pool at Miaoli’s “Civic Square” was also a very popular spot for water activities in previous years. It is expected to open on July 1, 2016, featuring interactive magic balls, parent-child water dance, fun water fountains, a triumphal arch with water curtains, a splash zone, and other water play facilities, offering a unique experience. The square is especially popular with families.

Address: No. 100, Xianfu Road, Miaoli City

▲ Taichung Da’an Beach (Photo fromTaichung Tourism Website)

Taichung Da’an Beach

Covering an area of 30 hectares, Taichung Da’an Beach reveals hundreds of meters of sandy beach during low tide. Visitors can enjoy beach activities, swimming, surfing, and kiteboarding. The beach is open annually from April to October, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM for general water play. Surfing and kiteboarding are available from April to December, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Address: No. 1, Lane 86, Beishan Road, Da’an District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-22289111 ext. 58511

▲ Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf Whale Pool (Photo fromChiayi County Cultural Affairs Bureau)

Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf Whale Pool in Chiayi

The whale pool at Dongshi Fisherman’s Wharf is also a popular spot for water activities. It fills with water and opens every year on July 1, providing a great place for visitors to cool off and enjoy the water.

Address: No. 420, Caixia Boulevard, Dongshi Township, Chiayi County
Transportation:
1. Take a Tonglian Bus from Taipei on the Taipei–Dongshi line.
2. Take a Chiayi Bus via Puzi to Dongshi (Xm Port Line).
3. First take a Chiayi Bus to Puzi, then transfer to a Chiayi Bus to Dongshi (Xm Port Line) from Puzi Station.
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 Port Line).

▲Children's water play area at Zhushan Water Park. (Photo/Reproduced fromZhushan Township Office, Chiayi County)

Zhushan Water Park, Chiayi County

Covering an area of 12 hectares, Zhushan Water Park opens for water play activities annually from around May to September when the weather is hot. Children can enjoy the cool thrill of sliding down slides and splashing into the water.

Address: Next to Zhushan Bridge on Provincial Highway 3
Transportation: Exit at Zhushan Interchange on National Freeway 3, then take County Highway 166 east all the way before turning north onto Provincial Highway 3 to reach the park.

▲Wanglai Park at Datianpi, Guanmiao (Photo/taken fromTainan City Government Public Works Bureau ParksWebsite)

Wanglai Park at Datianpi, Guanmiao, Tainan

During every summer vacation, Wanglai Park at Datianpi, Guanmiao in Tainan attracts many parents and children looking to escape the heat and enjoy water play, especially the splash pool which is a favorite among kids. The pineapple-shaped splash pool features waterfalls, fountains, and SPA jet sprays — equipment that is especially popular with children. The pool opens every Saturday and Sunday starting in July and continues until the end of August.

Address: Wanglai Park at Datianpi, 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 → Wanglai Park at Datianpi

▲Starlight Waterside Park. (Photo/reproduced fromKaohsiung Tourism Bureau)

Starlight Waterside Park at Xinguang Wharf, Kaohsiung City

Xinguang Wharf, also known as the "Marine Star," features two areas: the waterside park and Xinguang Promenade. Upon entering Xinguang Wharf, you’ll find installations such as sailboats and ocean waves that exude a strong maritime vibe. There’s also a harborfront bike path nearby — perfect for cycling while enjoying the sea breeze and scenery. The waterside park boasts the largest interactive water play pool in southern Taiwan, measuring 35 meters. Starting in May 2016, the pool is activated with water jets every two hours for about 15 minutes daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. It’s a popular summer spot for people to cool off and have fun.

Address: End of Xinguang Road and Chenggong Road, Qianzheng District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)342-1418 (Weisi Maintenance Engineering Team, Jiu Ru Subdivision)

▲Liudui Hakka Cultural Park. (Photo/reproduced fromLiudui Hakka Cultural ParkFacebook page)

Liudui Hakka Cultural Park

Located in Pingtung County, Liudui Hakka Cultural Park spans approximately 20 hectares and was established to preserve and showcase the Hakka culture of the Kaohsiung-Pingtung region. Admission to the park is free, and its fountain plaza is a popular water play spot in Pingtung during the summer.

Address: No. 588, Xinyi Road, Neipu Township, Pingtung County
Phone: (08)723-0100