Beitou’s Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) was once the largest bathhouse in East Asia during the Japanese era, dating back to 1911. However, after its heyday, the bathhouse fell into disrepair. Now it has been renovated into a museum celebrating the hot spring history and culture in Beitou. It is a must-see if you visit Beitou.
Historical Background:
In 1894 during the Qing Dynasty, the first person to establish a hot spring in Beitou was German sulfur merchant Ouely. The following year, Japanese Rear Admiral Tsunoda Hidematsu and Taipei County Secretary Nirei Keiji inspected the hot springs. On November 10, 1895, Governor Kabayama Sukenori also visited, and a public bath area began to form near today’s Beitou Hot Spring Museum. In 1905 funds were raised to construct Puji Temple, dedicated to the goddess of hot springs, Kannon, to bless the local hot spring industry.
In 1911, construction began on the Beitou Public Hot Springs which was established under the direction of the Taipei Prefecture, modeled after the hot springs of Izu in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It cost more than 56,000 yen to build, and construction was finally finished in 1913. In the late 1920s, members of the Japanese imperial family, including Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, visited Beitou’s public baths. In 1954, Beitou became a legally recognized red-light district. The practice was abolished in 1979, and Beitou has since shifted focus to tourism and leisure. In the 1960s and 1970s, the number of hot spring inns in Beitou peaked, with over 70 inns in operation. However, from 1975 onwards, the industry began to decline due to poor management, lack of public infrastructure, and excessive development. In 1995, a local movement to save the Beitou Public Bathhouse succeeded, leading to its restoration as the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which was designated a historic site in 1998. In 1999, the Tourism Bureau declared it the “Year of Beitou Hot Springs,” revitalizing the industry. Beitou Hot Springs, along with Caoshan, Guanziling, and Sichongxi Hot Springs, was one of the four major hot springs in Taiwan during the Japanese era. Beitou Hot Springs is a popular tourist attraction, especially with local Taiwanese people and Japanese tourists. The winter is the most popular season.
High end: We recommend Wellsping Silks Beitou, which is perhaps the fanciest hotel in Beitou is the Wellspring Silks Beitou, which towers like a behemoth over the cityscape. Here you can probably find the best quality and services in all of Beitou. Budget Hotels: We also recommend Water House which seems like perhaps the best deal for the money in Beitou. Breakfast and private baths are included. There are also public bathing areas. The hotel is across from Beitou Park.
By MRT: Take the MRT to Xinbeitou MRT station. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the MRT station. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: From downtown Taipei, take Provincial Highway 2 north to New Beitou MRT Station. There is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Klook here, or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Map:
Please see a list of places we will cover in the map below:
Drone Video
See below for our drone video to get an overview of the area.
Beitou Hot Springs 北投溫泉
360 Degree Panorama
Or you can check out our panorama of Beitou below:
360 degree view from above Beitou Park, Beitou Library, Beitou Public Hit Springs, and Beitou Hit Soring Museum in…
I have been inside the Beitou Hot Spring Museum once, but I have passed it many times while visiting Beitou. It is truly a journey to the past; the building has been meticulously restored to its heyday in Japanese times, and there are also many exhibits inside to give you insight into Beitou’s past. Best of all, it’s free. I highly recommend visiting.
On the way to the Museum, you will pass through Beitou Park and come to this pavilion.
There is also a hot spring river, the Huangxi River, sometimes called the Beitou River.
The main building is built in Tudor-style with a brick and wood façade and black tile roof. A large green lawn sits in front of the building.
If you have time, you can also visit the Beitou Library, which is considered on the most beautiful libraries in Taiwan, built with wood in Japanese traditional style.
Around the park, you can see many concrete steps, many of which date back to the Japanese era.
View of the eastern side of the building, with an amphitheater in front.
There is also a small balcony on the second floor.
Front entrance to the museum, with intricately restored woodwork and roof tiles.
First, you have to line up and wait to put your shoes in a locker. If there are too many people, the wait will be longer.
You then have to wear flip flops around the building.
Floor map of the building.
About Beitou Hot Spring Museum The building occupies more than 2,300 square meters over two floors. The first floor was built of brick and the second of wood. The building displays a mixture of Japanese and Western construction styles. Formerly known as Beitou Public Bathhouse (Hokutou Public Bathhouse), it was the largest public bath in East Asia at that time. It was designed by Moriyama Matsunosuke, who also constructed many other significant buildings, such as the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan and the Tainan State Hall. The first floor consists of the bathing area, while a resting area occupies the second floor. When visitors were finished bathing and changing clothes on the first floor, they could proceed to the second floor’s tatami lobby to take a rest, have a cup of tea or a meal, play chess or walk to the balcony to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Beitou Stream. (Now designated as a city monument, it does not provide bathing services.)
Chronology of Beitou
1600 – The plain aborigines had already lived in Taiwan for thousands of years. The Ketagalan, Kavalan, and Kararaban communities of the Ketagalan tribe lived in Beitou area.
1632 – The Spanish and Dutch engaged in sulfur trading and a variety of commercial activities with the plain aborigines.
1664 – Yu Yong-he came to Beitou to mine sulfur. His book, “Bai Hai You Fu,” or “Various Notes on Small Sea,” is the earliest travel report on Taiwan.
1893 – The German sulfur merchant Ouelly discovered the hot springs in Beitou.
1896 – Matsumoto Kamerota, the chief of the financial division of Taipei Army, built the Beitou Bathhouse and began utilizing sulfur hot springs. Inspired by the Beppu Hot Springs in Japan, with the assistance of craftsmen from Osaka, he set up the Tangyou hot spring hotel. These are the three earliest hot springs in Taiwan.
1898 – The Beitou Branch of the Japanese Military Hospital (presently known as Xinyang Academy) was completed.
1901 – The Beitou-Tamsui Railway and the Beitou Railway Station were established.
1905 – Japanese researcher Okamoto Yahiko discovered Hokutolite in Beitou Stream. Hokutolite is currently the only mineral in the world named after a Taiwanese place. The mineral is formed when green sulfur hot spring water flows over lands rich in heavy metals.
1907 – The Taiwan Women’s Charity Association set up charity baths in Beitou, which were free to poor children and the elderly, commonly referred to as “San-sin Tang” by Taiwanese.
1909 – Hirata Gengo published a guide on Beitou’s hot springs.
1911 – Matsumoto Kamerota constructed a hot spring hotel known as Guizikeng to introduce Beitou’s sulfur springs to foreign tourists.
1912 – Matsumoto began manufacturing “Beitou Pottery” and used the profits to build schools and cultivate flowers. Beitou was a trendy tourist destination at this time.
1913 – The Beitou Public Bathhouse and Betou (stone) park were completed. Beitou became popular as a recreation area due to the park’s entertainment facilities and affordable entry.
1915 – The planning of “Treshinji,” a Japanese Shingon Buddhist Temple on the east side of Beitou stream, began. The temple is currently known as Puj Temple.
1916 – Beitou Hot Spring Lane, a 1.2-kilometer asphalt road between Beitou and Xinbeitou, was completed. Xinbeitou became an entertainment area with movie theaters, dance clubs, and brothels.
1920 – Zhuzihu became a village under the jurisdiction of the Shilin District, Taihoku (Taipei) Prefecture. The first branch of the Beitou Library was established.
1921 – The Kazan Guesthouse, now known as the Taiwan Folk Arts Museum, was completed. It is one of the largest remaining single Japanese wooden buildings in Taiwan.
1923 – The Japanese were growing Japonica rice around Bamboo Lake. Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito arrived at Taipei. During his short visit, he visited the Beitou Public Bathhouse and stepped on a stone in Beitou Stream for preservation. In memory of Hirohito’s visit, people protected the stone and erected a tablet with the inscription “In Memory of His Imperial Highness Crossing the Stream.”
1925 – Construction of the Beitou Grotto for the Buddhist deity Acala was completed.
1929 – Construction of Caoshan Public Baths (now the Taipei Teachers’ Training Center) was completed.
1945 – The authorities included Beitou as a part of Yangmingshan Scenic Area, and the administrative division was changed to Beitou Town, Taipei County.
1967 – Beitou Town’s status was upgraded to be included as a part of Taipei City.
1979 – Licensed prostitution was abolished in Beitou.
1985 – Yangmingshan National Park was established.
1988 – The last train ran on the Beitou-Tamsui Railway. The Beitou Railway Station became history.
1994 – On a field trip for local culture courses, teachers and students from the Beitou Elementary School came upon the deserted Beitou Public Bathhouse. They enlisted local cultural workers and historians to launch a campaign to save this historical site.
1997 – The Beitou Public Bathhouse was classified as a Class III Historic Monument by the Ministry of the Interior on February 20, 1997.
1998 – The Beitou Hot Spring Museum officially opened on October 31, 1998.
2006 – The Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch re-opened. The two-story wooden building is the first eco-friendly, green library in Taiwan.
2011 – The first Taiwan Yueqin Folk Lore Festival was held in Beitou, drawing a grand amount of attention. Meanwhile, Beitou Stone Park and Beitou Hot Spring Museum held their first international cultural festival.
2013 – Taipei City Government designated Hokutolite (a rare mineral) and designated Beitou Stream as a protected natural landmark.
2014 – The planning of a public building complex was returned to Taipei from the Taiwan Folk Village in Chiang Mai after more than forty years. Construction commenced on the park area near Xinbeitou Railway Station.
2016 – Xinbeitou Railway Station commenced reconstruction.
2017 – “Beitou 120” exhibition was held, celebrating 120 years of hot springs. A series of exhibits were held for the “Rebirth of the Xinbeitou Train Station.”
2018 – After 27 years of restoration, the museum was reopened, marking the 80th anniversary of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.
2023 – Beitou Public Bathhouse 110th Anniversary and Beitou Hot Spring Museum 25th Anniversary.
Steamy Hot Spring Resort In 1896, hot spring hotels such as Songtaoyuan and Tianguoan opened for business, and the hot spring industry began a gradual rise. These hotels and clubs introduced traditional hotel systems along with Japanese geishas. The area of Shinhokuto (now Xinbeitou), like many hot spring sites in Japan, was a famous, upscale recreational area. After the end of World War II, the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan from China and did not impose a ban on the operational model of Xinbeitou hot spring business, which had developed into an entertainment during the period of Japanese rule. Instead, it issued rules and regulations for management. Since then, Beitou has not only been a place for drinking and pleasure, but was also a must-see attraction for Japanese tourists in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as a holiday spot for U.S. military soldiers during the Vietnam War. By the time prostitution was abolished in 1979, Beitou was regarded as a “pleasure land” in Taiwan.
Historical Context The Beitou Hot Spring Museum, formerly known as the Hokuto Public Bathhouse (Beitou Public Bathhouse), underwent changes through different eras, from the public baths during the Japanese rule to the Zhongshan House and KMT Service Center after the war. However, the building was eventually closed and abandoned due to the intermittent change of the competent authority. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is like a huge treasure box of time, holding the people’s collective memories and spirit of different eras, standing quietly beside the Beitou Stream, accompanying and witnessing the historical development of Beitou. You’ll see old photographs of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and its surroundings exhibited on the left and right sides of the area, guiding visitors to pick up the historical fragments scattered over time.
Discovery In 1994, a group of teachers and students from Beitou Elementary School discovered that the Beitou Public Bathhouse (Hokuto Public Bathhouse) had been abandoned for nearly seven years in the process of collecting materials during homeland teaching. With the efforts of society, it was finally classified as a Class III Historic Monument in 1997 (now a city monument due to the development of the legal system). After renovation, it was reopened in 1998 under the name of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum no longer provides bath services, but instead introduces the history of Beitou and hot springs to the public in order to revitalize and renew the public spirit of the facility. This section introduces the history of the transformation from a public bathhouse to a hot spring museum and its architectural beauty, and presents the Beitou Ecomuseum with interactive maps.
Best Wishes from the Space-Time Box Local musician Chen Ming-chang organizes all kinds of activities, including lectures, performances, exhibitions, and workshops to contribute to the preservation and promotion of yueqin (moon guitar) culture. 2013 was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Beitou Public Bathhouse. The Taiwan Yueqin Folk Song Association, artist Yang Yeh, and installation artist Ague worked as a team to organize the event. The exhibition included activities such as painting of music instruments and installation art, and the event organizers donated a “Best Wishes from the Space-Time Box” No.100 Memorial Moon Guitar to the museum, leaving a mark on the 100th anniversary.
The biggest room on the second floor is this bamboo mat resting area.
Memories of Beitou Artist: Chu Fang-Yi Medium: Stoneware clay, stainless steel, copper, optical touch screen Dimensions: Display frames 1350 x W450 x D50 cm, L330 x W316 x D50 cm, moving platforms (3), L100 x W125 x H75 cm; ceramic objects between L10 x W10 cm and L50 x W50 cm. Year: 2013 Artist’s Statement: This artwork is inspired by ancient poetry and resembles calligraphy in form, with the arrangement of ceramic pieces replacing the textual expressions of verse. The shapes of the ceramic pieces are derived from the forms of public participation, and from the artist’s research into Beitou’s distinctive memories and artifacts, internalizing the local culture and spirit through an artistic vocabulary. Abstract geometrical objects portray the unique heritage of Beitou, concretely and tangibly expressing Beitou’s renowned natural and historical elements, and transforming them into an alternative approach to storytelling, mutually corresponding with and enhancing the historical Beitou Hot Spring Museum. As gentle breezes cross the window curtains, inside the quiet display space, the artwork slowly and ever so softly tells the countless stories of Beitou.
The many symbols that represent Beitou.
View from the second floor looking out at the Beitou Library.
A small exhibit on the second floor.
Beitou Impression For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Beitou is the hot springs, but Beitou actually offers more than just hot springs. The Beitou district covers part of the Tatun Volcano Group and the Guandu Plain, and the diversity of the landscape has contributed to Beitou’s special features. In particular, the volcano group has brought abundant natural resources to Beitou and created the famous hot springs. Its natural resources have driven the development of its recreational and entertainment industries, which in turn has led to the flourishing of the arts and humanities, attracting tourists from all regions. The ongoing presence of visitors and the continuous efforts of community residents have kept Beitou young and energetic. This exhibition area is divided into three parts: “Fertile Beitou,” “LOHAS Beitou,” and “Historical Beitou.” It introduces Beitou’s unique beauty and people’s various impressions of it based on aspects of its natural resources, leisure and entertainment, and history and culture. It also invites the visitors to gain a better understanding of this place.
Video showing the early settlement of Beitou.
Tatami Lobby
The Tatami Lobby on second-floor area is a nice place to relax. The floor is made of bamboo mats.
Here you can enjoy views of the outdoors, with gentle breezes and fans to cool you off in the summer.
In a side room here was another audiovisual display.
There is also a small gift shop here on the second floor.
And an old bicycle with a traditional meal set on the back of it.
Next you can make your way down the pristine wooden stairs to the first floor.
Here is a historical display of the hot spring bath rooms, which were separated into male(blue) and female (red) spaces.
Old bathing area with historical film.
Introduction of different hot spring water types.
Foot washing area.
Bath with a view.
Looking back at the main entrance.
Old photos on the wall.
Next you can make your way to the main bath area, which is filled with water but not open to the public.
Another view of the traditional bathing area which in the past could fit many people.
Historical Context The Beitou Hot Spring Museum, formerly known as the Hokuto Public Bathhouse (Beitou Public Bathhouse), underwent changes through different eras, from the public baths during the Japanese rule to the Zhongshan House and KMT Service Center after the war. However, the building was eventually closed and abandoned due to the intermittent change of the competent authority. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is like a huge treasure box of time, holding the people’s collective memories and spirit of different eras, standing quietly beside the Beitou Stream, accompanying and witnessing the historical development of Beitou. You’ll see old photographs of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and its surroundings exhibited on the left and right sides of the area, guiding visitors to pick up the historical fragments scattered over time.
Photos from the period covering 1895-1913, from the beginning of the Japanese colonization to the establishment of the Beitou Public Hot Spring.
More photos from the period covering 1895-1913, from the beginning of the Japanese colonization to the establishment of the Beitou Public Hot Spring.
Photos from 1913 to 1945, from the establishment of the Public Hot Spring until the end of WWII, which was considered a very affluent time for Beitou Hot Springs.
More photos from 1913 to 1945, from the establishment of the Public Hot Spring until the end of WWII, which was considered a very affluent time for Beitou Hot Springs.
Photos from 1945 -1979, the post-war years during ROC rule. During this time the hot spring area had a red-light district and was popular with American servicemen.
Photos from economic downturn from 1979 – 1994, which coincided with American servicemen leaving Taiwan, meaning the hot springs were not as popular. You can see that trash filled up the Huangxi River.
Turnaround and rebuilding of Beitou: 1994 -1998, especially with the completion of the MRT line in 1997.
More history and rebuilding of Beitou from 1998-2011, and 2011 until now.
View outside onto the front lawn.
The octagonal window above the hallway that was filled with lanterns.
View of the arched hallway near the main pool.
Another view of the main pool.
An old food stall that would have serviced patrons here.
View of the different hot spring types in Beitou.
A room filled with lanterns.
View looking back down the hall.
Aerial view above the museum.
Wider view of the museum within the park, with the triangular Beitou library behind it.
Willie’s Deli is an American-style deli and grocery store in Tianmu, Beitou District, Taipei City. The deli sells American-style beef and pork sandwiches, and the store often sells imported products from the USA and Europe that are much sought-after by foreigners in Taiwan. If you are missing products from the USA or Europe, then this…
Shen Ao Railbike is a short bicycle ride on an old Railway line on the coast of Ruifang, New Taipei. Visitors are seated two people per bicycle car, which has a roof and great views of the ocean scenery nearby. Overall it is a fun adventure for the whole family. Historical Background: Originally the Shen’ao…
Serpent Head Mountain is the highest point in Penghu and is one of Taiwan’s top 100 lesser peaks. It is also home to the first western fort built in Taiwan; this was the first spot where the Dutch established a trading post in Taiwan before colonizing the island. It also has a memorial to French…
Shili Beach in Penghu (澎湖嵵裡沙灘) is an ideal beach getaway with clear waters and white coral sand. Here popular activities include swimming, kayaking, and SUPing. The best part is usually there are few people here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Penghu. Historical Background: Shili Beach is a white sand…
Wondering where to stay in the Beitou Hot Spring Area? There are so many hot spring hotels in this area, that it may be hard to choose from. There are many hotels within walking distance from the MRT station as well as museums and historical sites. There are also hotels that are more secluded and…
Typhoon Gaemi is the worst Typhoon to hit Taiwan in nearly a decade. It caused five deaths in Taiwan, dumped over a meter of rain in the mountains, and caused work and school to close for over three days in some areas. In this blog, I will detail some of the major events and overall…
