Beitou Park 北投公園 – Discover Beitou’s Rich Japanese Hot Spring History

Map Key:
Blue: Tourist Sites
Red: Hot Spring Hotels
Purple: Restaurants and other Hot Spring Baths
Green: Other sites of interest

Drone Video

See below for our drone video to get an overview of the area.

360 Degree Panoramas

Or you can check out our panoramas of Beitou below:

The one above is over Beitou Park (link).

This one is from near Thermal Valley (link).

Our Journey:

We have been to Beitou Park a number of times. It is a nice place to enjoy natural scenery inside the bustling Beitou hot springs district. The park is also full of history, dating back to the Japanese area, and there are many interesting sites within the park.

You will likely start out visiting the park from Xinbeitou MRT station.

Xinbeitou Historic Station 新北投車站

The MRT station sits right next to the Xinbeitou Historic Station (aka New Beitou Station 新北投車站) which is an old train station originally built by the Japanese to bring tourists to the Beitou Hot Spring area. Now it has been restored into a museum and gift shop for visitors to enjoy. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. Check out our full guide to Xinbeitou Historic Station here.

Along the way, you can find many places to eat around the park. You can check out our Beitou Food Guide for more information.

The main entrance to Beitou Park near the MRT Station.

The history of the Beitou railway in Chinese.

Development of Beitou
Beitou was originally a wilderness of steaming mist and bubbling ponds. It was not until 1894 that a German businessman named Ouely discovered the Beitou hot springs. During the Japanese occupation, the colonial government began to aggressively develop the area and made Beitou a leisure and tourist destination.
In 1913, the government built the Beitou Public Bathhouse, which is now the Beitou Hot Springs Museum. The bathhouse brought even more visitors to Beitou, and many hotels and inns were established in the area. Beitou thrived as a hot spring tourist destination and has remained popular for over a century.

Map of the park.

Beitou Stone Arch Bridge

The Beitou Stone Arch Bridge, a surviving structure from the Japanese colonial era, was built using a unique construction method. The bridge’s key feature is the keystone at its center, which locks the arch in place without the need for nails or additional fasteners. The bridge was built using locally sourced igneous andesite rock.

View from the Huangxi River, a hot spring river that flows through the park.

View of the other side of the park.

Fauna 動物

Beitou Park’s varied landscape, featuring hot spring areas, ponds, and dense vegetation, creates a favorable environment for a diverse range of animal species.

• Birds: The park is a haven for bird watchers, as it attracts many different bird species. Commonly spotted birds include bulbuls, egrets, sparrows, and magpies. The park’s trees and ponds provide shelter and feeding grounds for migratory species as well.
• Insects: Butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles are abundant, especially around Ueno Pond and the garden areas. The park’s warm, humid environment encourages the proliferation of various insect species.
• Aquatic Life: The park’s ponds are home to fish species, such as carp and goldfish, which can be seen swimming near the surface, especially around the circular fountain and Ueno Pond. The water’s mineral content, thanks to the geothermal springs, adds a unique quality to the aquatic habitat.
• Reptiles and Amphibians: Given the park’s moist, forested environment, reptiles such as lizards and geckos can be found sunning themselves on rocks, while frogs and toads thrive in the damp, shaded areas near water sources.
• Small Mammals: The park also supports small mammals like squirrels, which can often be seen darting between trees. These creatures are drawn to the park’s dense tree cover and abundant food supply.

Flora 植物

Beitou Park has a range of plant species, both native and non-native, adding to the park’s diversity.

• Dragon Cypress Trees: Originally planted around the entrance fountain, these trees became symbolic of the park’s landscape. After the park’s redevelopment, many of these trees were relocated to other areas within the park to make way for an open plaza.
• Palm Trees: These trees, native to tropical regions, were planted in the garden areas, especially near Ueno Pond, adding a distinctively tropical aesthetic to the landscape. The integration of palm trees also reflects Japanese garden design influences from the park’s colonial period.
• Chinese Banyan Trees: Scattered throughout the park, banyan trees offer dense shade, providing shelter for visitors. Their intricate root systems create natural sculptures and reinforce the park’s connection to Taiwan’s subtropical ecosystem.
• Flowering Shrubs and Groundcover: The park features various flowering shrubs such as azaleas, hibiscus, and camellias, which bring bursts of color throughout the seasons. Groundcover plants like ferns and mosses thrive in the park’s damp, shaded areas, contributing to the lushness of the landscape.
• Lotus Flowers in Ueno Pond: Lotus flowers are a highlight of Ueno Pond, adding beauty to the still waters during the blooming season. The pond’s water lilies are reminiscent of Japanese garden ponds.
• Exotic and Decorative Plants: Along with native species, Beitou Park also houses several ornamental plants introduced during the Japanese colonial era. These include various species of pine, maple, and bamboo, which complement the park’s Japanese-inspired design elements.

Remains of Guitar Bridge 吉他橋

The construction of this bridge is estimated to have taken place between the 1950s and 1960s, in the post-war period. The bridge is made of reinforced concrete and is named “Half Moon Bridge” due to its arched shape and handle.
There was a famous movie called Guitar in the Hot Springs Village starring Huang Qiuta and Chen Yunjong, extensively featured scenes filmed in Beitou. One of the scenes shows the male and female protagonists sitting on the Half Moon Bridge at night, accompanied by the mist rising from the Beitou River. They play the guitar and share their feelings. This scene made the bridge a well-known attraction, earning it the nickname “Guitar Bridge.”

During the 1960s many Taiwanese movies were filmed in Beitou. However, in the 1970s, the government implemented a Mandarin language policy, and at the same time, Taiwanese movies struggled to keep up with the trend of color cinematography due to their low budget. As a result, the box office declined.
In the late 1970s, the government cracked down on entertainment establishments, and Beitou gradually became quiet. In the late 1990s, with the restoration and opening of the Beitou Hot Springs Museum and Beitou Park, as well as the opening of the Tamsui Line of the metro, people once again discovered the charm of the local hot springs village. It has become a must-visit historical tourist destination for visitors coming to Taipei from other places.

Another closer view of Guitar Bridge.

You can see here that most of the Huangxi River is blocked off to the public. This was not the case during the Japanese rea.

You can see the old steps on the riverside that people used to be able to rest on.

Green algae on the rocks in the Huangxi River.

Beitou Park’s proximity to natural geothermal features significantly influences its biodiversity. The geothermal waters create microhabitats that support heat-tolerant plants and organisms. The warm, mineral-rich soil promotes the growth of specific plant species that thrive in such conditions. Additionally, the high sulfur content of the area deters certain pests while attracting specialized insect species.
Hot spring waters not only shape the park’s ecosystem but also play a role in regulating the temperatures of the ponds and streams, making it a favorable environment for aquatic plants and animals year-round. The thermal activity also affects the humidity levels in the park, further influencing plant growth and the overall microclimate.

Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館

The original Beitou Public Bathhouse, now the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, was constructed on June 17, 1913. It was modeled after the hot spring baths of Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. At that time, it was one of the largest and most luxurious public bathhouses in Taipei Prefecture. The building covered about 700 square meters and featured a two-story structure resembling British-style architecture. The first floor contained brick-built hot spring baths, while the second floor had a wooden structure with resting areas and recreational rooms. 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.
Check out our full guide to the museum here.

The bathhouse was managed and operated by the public health department of the Taipei District. In February 1997, the Republic of China’s Ministry of the Interior designated the building as a third-class historic site, later revised to a municipal historic site under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Law. The Taipei City Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau subsequently undertook restoration work, converting the bathhouse into the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

There is a small bridge that connects the museum to the library here.

Also, I discovered a small beach inside the park here.

Hot Spring Hotels in Beitou 北投最佳的溫泉飯店

You will notice that the park is surrounded by hot spring hotels. 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 private. In this blog, I will take you on a virtual tour to discover the best hotels in Beitou in our full guide here.

Granite Spiral Water Channel 花崗岩螺旋導水石溝組

In a corner of Beitou Park, located beside Guangming Road, there is a ‘granite spiral water channel’ to collect rainwater.

Circular Fountain 圓形噴水池

The circular fountain was established in 1910 and is now located in front of the library. It was part of the Beitou Waterway, a public water supply system built to improve the quality of hot spring drinking water. The waterway began at Fengli Zhai, and passed through various locations, including Beitou Hot Springs Public Bathhouse and Beitou Market, before ending at the fountain across from Beitou Station. The water flowed through the system by gravity, and the circular fountain served as a pressure relief valve. Today, it remains a decorative feature in the park. During the Japanese colonial period, Beitou Park served not only as a place for recreation but also had disaster-prevention functions. The lawn area at the park entrance was considered an important gathering spot, often used for disaster prevention drills and public events. After the war, the government added a fountain and a clock at the park entrance. The structure originally consisted of a two-tier concentric circular fountain surrounded by many cypress trees. After the park was redeveloped into a water-themed park in 1998, the water fountains underwent several changes. In 2010, it was remodeled as a sunken musical fountain, and the clock was removed during the renovation. The cypress trees were also relocated to create a more open and light-filled space at the entrance. There is also a new fountain repurposed into a plaza with a stone-carved sign as the park’s new symbol.

Drinking fountain that you can actually drink straight from. Rare in Taiwan.

Wild Goose Fountain 雁鴨噴水池

The Wild Goose Fountain, also known as the “Little Copper Duck Fountain,” was built in 1911 as part of the Beitou Waterway system. Initially, it functioned as a pressure relief valve for the waterway. In 1913, the fountain was beautified by adding a bronze sculpture of a wild goose atop the relief valve.

In 2005, the bronze wild goose sculpture was stolen. Local historian Wu Sih-Yao worked with Beitou heritage groups to collect old photographs and lobby the city government to commission a replica. With the help of a local artist, a new bronze sculpture was installed, and on June 14, 2013, the fountain was restored to commemorate Beitou’s shared historical memory.

Sun Yat-sen Bust 孫中山雕像

In 1934, a bronze bust of Iimura Taikichi, a key figure in the development of Beitou Hot Springs, was erected in the park’s prominent fountain square, commemorating his contributions. The statue stood on a marble pedestal. However, shortly after its installation, the bronze statue mysteriously disappeared, leaving only the base behind. After the Republic of China government took over Taiwan, the pedestal was repurposed to hold a series of different monuments. Initially, it was used for the “Liberation Memorial,” but in the 1960s, it was replaced with a bust of Sun Yat-sen.

Skating Rink 溜冰場

From the 1970s to the 1980s, in response to the popularity of roller skating, Beitou Park introduced a skating rink. The original rink was a circular cement track surrounded by an oval-shaped path, with two branching slides—one flat and one with varying elevations.
The skating rink underwent renovation, and the surface was replaced with terrazzo and surrounded by metal railings. The skating area was reduced by about 1.5 times in size due to the construction of the Beitou cable car project in 2006. After the project was halted, the community successfully lobbied for the rink’s restoration, though the activity space remains smaller than before.

Plum Garden 北投梅庭

Plum Garden was built in the late 1930s and covers an area of approximately 300 square meters. The building is a hybrid of Japanese and Western styles and was designed according to the natural terrain. The front façade is built on the ground level, with moisture-resistant walls, a stone foundation, fish-scale wall panels, black tiles, and wooden lattice windows. The lower level consists of reinforced concrete and includes an air raid shelter that connects directly to the backyard.
After World War II, the building was handed over to the Yangmingshan Management Office and became a private residence. In 1954, the calligraphy of “Plum Garden,” inscribed by famous calligrapher Yu You-ren, was carved onto a column at the entrance. In 1997, plans to demolish the building were proposed, but after negotiations between the park office and the residents, it was agreed to preserve the building due to its historical significance. Restoration work was completed, and in 2006, it was designated a historic building and opened to the public.

When we last visited, the plum garden was closed for renovations.

Beitou Public Library 北投綠色圖書館

Beitou Public Library, also known as Beitou Green Library (北投綠色圖書館), is perhaps the most beautiful library in Taiwan. Built inside Beitou Park, it has great views of the park and includes high ceilings, large windows, and wooden floors and walls harking back to the Japanese era. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Beitou. You can check out our full blog on the library here.

Beitou Public Hot Spring 北投公共溫泉

Beitou Public Hot Spring (aka Millenium Hot Springs or Beitou Outdoor Public Hot Springs 北投公共溫泉) is a large outdoor public hot spring area in Beitou, Taipei. With a price of only 60 NT, and discounted tickets for locals, it is one of the most popular and economical ways to enjoy Beitou’s hot springs. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Beitou. You can check out our full blog on this hot spring here.

Ketagalan Culture Center 凱達格蘭文化館

If you have time, you should also check out the Ketagala Culture Center which is right across from the park. The Ketagalan Culture Center is an exhibition hall located in the Beitou District of Taipei City. The museum promotes indigenous culture through various exhibitions and events and includes a library. The best part is admission is free. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Beitou. Check out our full blog on the museum here.

Be sure to check out our full guide to Beitou here.
You can also check out our Taipei Family and Kids guide here.
Check out our guide to Taipei here.

You can also see our full guide to Taiwan here.