By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
As autumn arrives and temperatures gradually drop, the annual hot spring season is here again Up ! The Guanziling Hot Springs in Tainan have a history of over a hundred years since the Japanese colonial era. Thanks to their high-quality mineral-rich waters,they were once ranked alongside Yangmingshan, Beitou, and Sihchongxi as one of Taiwan’s “Four Great Hot Springs.” The rare black muddy hot springs are a unique feature that sets Guanziling apart. Every winter, the area attracts numerous visitors to “explore the mountain town, soak in warm springs, and savor delicious food”—a journey offering three kinds of enjoyment that keeps people coming back again and again.
As autumn arrives and temperatures gradually drop, the annual hot spring season is here again Up ! The Guanziling Hot Springs in Tainan have a history of over a hundred years since the Japanese colonial era. Thanks to their high-quality mineral-rich waters,they were once ranked alongside Yangmingshan, Beitou, and Sihchongxi as one of Taiwan’s “Four Great Hot Springs.” The rare black muddy hot springs are a unique feature that sets Guanziling apart. Every winter, the area attracts numerous visitors to “explore the mountain town, soak in warm springs, and savor delicious food”—a journey offering three kinds of enjoyment that keeps people coming back again and again.
Custom-made vintage kimonos recreate the Japanese ambiance while strolling through Guanziling Old Street. (Photo provided by Tainan City Tourism Bureau)
Guanziling Hot Springs exudes a strong Japanese vibe. (Photo provided by Ink Publishing)
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the discovery of the Fire and Water Spring in Guanziling. The Tainan City Tourism and Travel Bureau has specially arranged the “2014 Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Festival and 300th Anniversary of Fire and Water Spring Series of Events,” which will grandly open on November 8th ! To allow visitors not only to join in the celebration but also to deeply understand the stories, culture, and charm of Guanziling, free city tours of the “Tainan Michelin Three-Star Journey: Guanziling Hot Spring Village Stroll” will be offered every Saturday from 2–4 pm and every Sunday from 9–11 am starting November 1st, complete with guided commentary services!
The Fire and Water Spring, located in the Siraya National Scenic Area, is a must-see Taiwanese wonder. (Photo provided by Ink Publishing)
The “Guanziling Hot Spring Village Stroll” guided tour route starts at Lingding Park (Dacheng Hall), passing by Wu Jinhuai Square → Erjiewan Viewpoint → Hot Spring Valley Viewpoint → New Heroes’ Slope → Baoquan Outcrop → Xianyun Bridge → Hot Spring Old Street → Sky Ladder → Fire King’s Spirit Spring (Outcrop) → Fire King’s Temple → Heroes’ Slope, and finally loops back to Lingding Park (Dacheng Hall) as the endpoint of the stroll.
Guanziling Lodge is a century-old hot spring establishment. (Photo provided by Ink Publishing)
The starting point for this walking tour is Lingding Park (Dacheng Hall). Visitors can take a direct Kaohsiung Bus from Chiayi to Guanziling, or first take a train to Xinying and then transfer to the Greater Tainan Trunk Bus – Yellow Trunk Line (in front of Xinying Railway Station) to Baihe, followed by the Yellow 12 or Yellow 13 bus to get there. Those interested in joining the guided tour,can start booking online via the “Tainan Tourism Itinerary Search – Tainan Michelin Three-Star Journey” section on the Tourism Bureau’s website using the online reservation system.
The circular trail offers a bird’s-eye view of the entire Guanziling area. (Photo provided by Ink Publishing)
- 1
- 2