Xinbeitou Historic Station (aka New Beitou Station 新北投車站) 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.
Historical Background:
The New Beitou train line, also known as the “Bath Line 湯線,” was a branch line of the TRA Tamsui line, connecting Beitou Station to the Beitou Hot Spring area, with a total distance of 1.2 KM.
During the Japanese occupation, Hirata Gengo established Taiwan’s first hot spring inn, Tengu-an, in 1896, which spurred the development of the Beitou Hot Spring area. Soon, many other hot springs were formed in the area, including the Beitou Public Hot Spring.
The New Beitou line was finished in 1916, and was constructed solely for hot spring tourism.
After it began operation on April 1, 1916, the New Beitou Line helped boost the development of the hot spring area, which at its peak in 1935, boasted 35 hot spring inns. However, during World War II, in 1945, the tracks were removed and repurposed for defense needs (allegedly to prevent Allied forces from landing by placing the rails along the Tamsui coastline). The line was restored in August 1946, after the war.
The original terminal, Xinbeitou Station, was initially planned for demolition during the construction of the MRT Xinbeitou Branch Line in the 1990s. However, the Taipei City Government symbolically sold the station to the Taiwan Folk Village for one New Taiwan dollar, preserving it in Changhua County. The station was donated to Taipei City, after which a work team from the Taipei City Government began architectural surveys and structural numbering at the Taiwan Folk Village, after which the station was dismantled and transported back to Beitou for reconstruction. Reconstruction on the station began in 2014 and was completed in 2016.
Currently, the station is a popular historical site in Beitou.
Hours:
24/7
Activities:
Besides soaking in hot springs, there are many activities available in Beitou such as Rock Climbing, Water Skiing, Kani Kimono Rental, Escape Experience, Beitou Museum, and more on Klook here or KKday here.
Tours:
You can check out tours to Beitou such as a Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour, Beitou and Yeliu Day Tour, Beitou and Tamsui Day Tour, Beitou and National Palace Museum Tour, Beitou Muslim Friendly Tour, Beitou Arts and Culture Tour, Flower Season Tour, and more on Klook here or KKday here.
You can also check out the Beitou Fun Package from KKday which includes a one-day transportation coupon, hot spring coupon, and coupon for over 8 souvenir shops in Beitou.
Where to Stay:
High end: We recommend Wellsping Silks Beitou, which is perhaps the fanciest hotel in Beitou is the Wellspring Silks Beitou and 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.
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality accommodation selection in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Beitou Hot Spring Hotel Guide here, our Taiwan hotels guide here, or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
How to get there:
By MRT:
Take the MRT to Xinbeitou MRT station. From there you can also take the S9 or S26 bus further up the mountain if needed. 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. Many of the hotels here provide free parking for guests. 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:
