Beitou Hot Springs. Photo by Никита Андреев. Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Beitou Hot Springs


 

Beitou District is the northernmost of Taipei City’s twelve districts. It’s located in the foothills of the dormant volcanic Yangmingshan Mountain (or Mt. Yangming). Beitou hot spring, Taiwan’s largest cluster of hot springs, is located beneath the Datun volcanic range.

However, Beitou was not recognized as a hot spring destination until the Japanese colonial period. After the first hot spring hotels, such as Songtaoyuan and Tiangouan, opened in 1896, Beitou hot spring tourism began to boom. Following the development of the public bathhouse, park, station, and children’s amusement park. Beitou became a place of healing for the Imperial Japanese Army.

Beitou is well-known for its hot springs. The Tourism Bureau of Taiwan named it one of the Top 10 Small Tourist Towns in March 2012.

1. Millennium Hot Spring Beitou

Millennium Hot Spring, which opened in 1913, is one of the main Beitou Public Hot Springs. It is an outdoor hot spring pool for both men and women. It also strictly enforces the dress code of a conservative swimsuit (no bikinis, ladies!) and swim cap. You must purchase a swim cap if you do not bring your own.

The space is small and can become crowded. It would be best to arrive early.

Surprisingly, for a hot spring facility, there is no hot shower. Prepare some coins in order to take a hot shower and use the locker room.

2. Long and nice hot spring

Long Nice Hot Spring is one of Beitou’s oldest businesses. The bathhouse was built for Japanese soldiers in 1907. The courtyard’s stone monument reads “his Imperial Highness Crown Prince of Japan Crossed River Memorial.” Commemorating Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito’s royal visit.

This is a sex-separated nudist indoor bathhouse. It is a very simple bathhouse that serves the purpose of bathing. No need to carry a swimsuit.

3. Foot Bath in Fuxing Park

Ashiyu (Foot Bath). Photo by Jennifer Murawski. Wikimedia

What if you’re interested in hot springs but don’t want to soak in them? You may be surprised to learn that Beitou has three FREE foot-soaking pools located in Fuxing Park, Quanyuan Park, and Sulfur Valley.

I recommend going to Fuxing Park Foot Bath because it is the closest one in Beitou’s central area. Green sulfur is present in the jade-green water.

4. Waterhouse Beitou

Beitou hot springs are more expensive than other Taiwanese hot springs. You basically pay for its convenience and proximity to Taipei. Consider Waterhouse if you don’t want to pay Beitou’s high resort price.

In its architecture, the newly renovated hotel overlooking Beitou Park embraces modern Japanese simplicity. The style is carried on in the bathhouses, which use white sulfur water.

While other resorts offer separate bathhouses from guest rooms, the private bath experience at Waterhouse includes a full suite. Rates for 90 minutes range from NT$1,080 to NT$5,880 depending on room type and season.

The public bath is also available for unlimited hours for NT$780 on weekdays and NT$1,080 on holidays. Every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hotel guests are welcome to use the public bath for free.

5. Grand View Hotel Beitou

Grand View Resort is the city’s only 5-star luxury hot spring resort. The mountaintop hotel, located on a more secluded, steep hill next to Beitou Museum. This hotel offers an unobstructed view from the rooms and outdoor swimming pool.

The resort makes use of a white sulfur spring. Guests have access to an en-suite hot spring bath, an open-air bath, and an outdoor pool. Independent private hot spring suites are open 24 hours a day for day visitors.

6. Radium Kagaya Taipei

Kagaya International Hot Spring Hotel. Photo by Tianmu peter. Wikimedia

Kagaya has been named Japan’s number one hot spring hotel brand for the past 36 years. Radium Kagaya introduces Taiwan to the authentic Japanese hot spring culture and impeccable hospitality service. This 4-star hot spring resort was built on the site of Tenguan, Taiwan’s first Japanese hot spring hotel. It features 300-year-old Japanese Endostyle elements while exuding modern elegance.

Radium Kagaya has 17 distinct hot spring rooms made of pottery, wood, and rock. Its hot spring makes use of white sulfur water, which is beneficial for skin and muscle pain.

7. Spring City Resort 

Rain and steam in Beitou hot springs valley north of Taipei. Photo by Lishuilynn. Wikimedia

Spring City Resort is a mid-range hot spring hotel located on a secluded uphill. This family-friendly resort provides a spacious, clean room as well as a decent en-suite hot spring bath.

The hotel has 13 private hot spring rooms for day visitors that are open 24 hours a day. On a first-come, first-served basis, an hour per session (NT$600 per adult; NT$400 per child) is allowed.

You can also use their public hot spring facilities for NT$800 (no time limit). You can choose between cold, hot, and very hot pool temperatures, as well as access to stone pools. 

8. Sweet Me Hot Spring Resort

Sweet Me Hot Spring Resort is a budget-friendly, minimalist hotel just a 3-minute walk from Xinbeitou MRT Station. The hotel has both public (naked and sex-separated) and private bathhouses that use white sulfur water. It is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers looking for a clean, private bathhouse experience.

9. Villa 32

Do you want to stay in a more luxurious, secluded hot spring? If you have a flexible budget, consider Villa 32.

The hot spring retreat was originally built as a private home. It now offers 5 exquisite, independent villas, as well as 5 private hot spring suites for half-day getaways. This property’s most private ambiance and elegant details scream ultrarich, exclusive luxury. Choose a spa treatment to make your stay even more comfortable.

10. There is a museum at Beitou Hot Spring

Beitou Hot Spring Museum. Photo by Uchinaaguchi. Wikimedia

The museum is divided into two stories. The first floor houses the public bath which is no longer in use along with the introduction of hot springs history, hot spring facilities, appliances used in hot springs, Beitou stones, and the bathing space. The second floor houses six different exhibition areas, including Beitou history, a lookout balcony, Taiwanese Hollywood, exhibition area B, a multimedia room, and a tatami floor recreational area.

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