Beitou, Famous Hot Spring in Taipei
Taiwan is famous for its hot springs, especially during winter, as it sits within the Belt of Fire. Almost every visitor to Taiwan would try to make their way to the famous Taiwan hot springs to enjoy the pleasure of soaking in mineral-rich waters which have been said to have amazing health properties. Some benefits from its sulfur-rich waters include detoxifying the body, improving the digestive system and skin problems. Read more about these unique hot springs resort below.
A famous hot spring that is most easily accessible from the city of Taipei is the Beitou Hot Springs or Xin BeiTou Hot Springs. Beitou is the old area where local people work and live while Xin Beitou is a tourist area that has been developed by the Taiwanese Government as a hot spring resort. It is approximately a 30 minute ride on the Taipei Metro or Taipei MRT from the Taipei Main Station. As the MRT approaches the Xin Beitou station, visitors will often get a whiff of sulphur each time the doors open at every stop.
The MRT station is a short walk away from the main hot springs area. All around the Metro are some cheaply priced hotels while the hot springs area often has a range of accommodation, from the very luxurious hot springs resorts to the normal hotels.
The hot springs area is located in a little valley and all around it are buildings mainly comprising resorts and spas. The area is a little hilly in some areas and Taiwanese seem to be really fit people as they have no effort in climbing up the sloping roads at all! One of the first building visitors would see is the Beitou Hot Springs Museum. It is a very pretty building with unique architecture. Its tiled roof, wooden walls and soaring windows are a combination of European and Japanese architecture. Once the main public bath of Beitou, today it houses the history of Beitou’s unique hot springs.
Beitou Hot Springs Museum Entrance
At Xin Beitou, one has the option of using the public baths at only NTD40 (approximately RM5 or US$1.50!). These baths have several pools of varying heat which visitors can soak themselves in. Changing rooms are provided and all visitors are required to be properly attired in a swimming costume and all long hair should be tied up. There is no segregation at the public baths and both men and women are free to soak in the tubs together. Children are also allowed with a special rate of NTD20 which also applies to pensioners. The public baths are usually available in 2 hour blocks and if you come halfway of a session, you will be required to wait for the next session. Apparently, the waters in the public baths are from the natural source itself which makes it a truly natural hot spring.
Another option is a private bath at any of the many resorts found in the hot spring area. A popular one is the expensive Villa 32 which offers both private baths and rooms to spend the night in or the well known Spring City Resort. Spring City Resort is famous for offering elegant and beautiful Japanese Kaiseki cuisine where each dish is a delight to be savoured, both with your eyes and mouth. The hot springs in the private baths come pumped in through the resort pipes and it is often akin to being in a normal bathtub except the water that gushes out is sulphur rich and smells just so! For that reason, some still prefer the public baths despite the lack of privacy as some say the water in the private resorts are recycled instead of being pumped fresh from the source itself.
As a tourist, the Beitou Hot Springs is a unique feature of Taiwan that should not be missed. The hot springs are best in the chilly winters but can be equally enjoyable in the warmer weathers.
To Get There:
Take the Danshui (red) line from Taipei Main Station. Change to a pink line at Beitou Station to the specially dedicated Xin Beitou line. It is a pleasant 25 to 30 minute ride.
To Bring:
Swimming costume, swimming cap, camera, towel, hat, sunglasses, toiletries if you wish to have a quick shower.
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