Beitou is Taiwan’s Premiere Hot Spring area (北投溫泉). Originally built by the Japanese on natural hot spring water flowing down from Yangmingshan, this area is now springing with hot spring baths, hotels, museums, hikes, restaurants, and more. It is one of the best day trips near Taipei. In this guide, we will tell you how to enjoy this area like a local, and at the same time soak like Japanese royalty.
Historical Background:
Beitou’s hot springs are distributed along the Huangxi Valley, including areas like Shamao Mountain, Datun Volcanic Group, Qixing Mountain volcanic rock layers, and Jinshan Fault in northern Taiwan. These include Thermal Valley Hot Springs, Sulfur Valley Hot Springs, Upper Beitou Hot Springs, Shuangchong Creek Hot Springs (Xingyi Road Hot Springs Area), and Longfeng Valley Hot Springs. The narrow definition of Beitou Hot Springs categorizes the springs by their composition: the geothermal springs of Thermal Valley (green sulfur springs, 50–90°C and highly acidic), the white sulfur springs of Sulfur Valley (pH of 3–5 and a temperature of about 45°C), and iron sulfur springs located in Upper Beitou (eutral carbonate hot springs, with a lower temperature of about 40–60°C). Historical and Cultural 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 to construct Puji Temple, dedicated to the goddess of hot springs, Kannon, to bless the local hot spring industry. In 1913, a public hot spring bath 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. 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.
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:
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.
Beitou Hot Springs 北投溫泉
360 Degree Panoramas
Or you can check out our panoramas of Beitou below:
360 degree view from above Beitou Park, Beitou Library, Beitou Public Hit Springs, and Beitou Hit Soring Museum in…
Please note that the following list of places is still a work in progress. We will be updating the below places with more information as time goes on.
The Best Places to Eat Near Beitou Hot Springs 北投溫泉美食
Beitou is one of the best day trips near Taipei and a popular tourist location. As a result, many restaurants have opened in the area, especially around Xinbeitou MRT Station. In our Beitou food guide, we will tell you how to enjoy food in this area like a local and eat your way through Beitou.
The Best Hot Spring Hotels in Beitou 北投最佳的溫泉飯店
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 our Beitou hotel guide, I will take you on a virtual tour to discover the best hotels in Beitou.
Beitou Batoushan Rock Climbing 八頭山攀岩
Batoushan overlooking Beitou is a popular place for rock climbing in the area. It is one of the most popular outdoor rock climbing areas in Taipei. You can book a rock climbing experience here on Klook here or KKday here.
Beitou Park 北投公園
Beitou Park is a large park near Xinbeitou MRT Station with a hot spring river running through it. 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. Check out our full blog on Beitou Park here.
Beitou Museum 北投文物館
The Beitou Museum (aka Taiwan Folk Art Museum 北投文物館) is a former Japanese-era Hot Spring hotel that has now been turned into a museum and art exhibition space in Beitou District of Taipei. The building also includes restaurants and great views of Beitou. It is a great place to enjoy the history and culture of Beitou. Check out our full blog on the museum here. You can book discount tickets to the Beitou Museum on Klook here or KKday here.
Marshal Zen Garden 雙喜湯屋
Marshall Zen Garden (also known as Shaoshuai Zen Garden 少帥展館) was originally a Japanese era Inn and home to Zhang Xueliang, an outcast Chinese warlord who spent more than 50 years on house arrest here. Now it has been renovated and converted into a restaurant, museum, and hot spring bath. Sitting in the hills of Beitou, it has great views of the surrounding area and Mount Guanyin. It is a great place to enjoy the scenery in Beitou. Check out our full guide to the garden here. You can get a discount ticket for a hot spring bath and two meals at Zen Garden on Klook here or KKday 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. Check out our full blog on Beitou Public Hot Spring here.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館
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 history and culture of hot springs in Beitou. It is a must-see if you visit Beitou. Check out our full blog on this museum here.
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. Check out our full blog about this library here.
While you are in Beitou, you might as well pretend like you are living in historical Japanese times, which was the golden age of Beitou. You can book a Japanese Koto experience on Klook here or KKday here.
Ketagalan Culture Center 凱達格蘭文化館
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 guide to this museum in our blog here.
Puji Temple 普濟寺
Puji Temple (普濟寺 aka Lingquan Mountain Puji Temple 靈泉山普濟寺 or Tiezhenyuan, 鐵真院) is a Buddhist temple in Beitou, dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. It is one of the most well-preserved temples dating back to the Japanese era and is definitely worth a stop if you visit Beitou. Check out our full blog about this temple here.
Longfeng Valley in Yangmingshan National Park is a large volcanic sulfur hot spring area with hiking trails, steam vents, sulfur deposits, and large natural hot springs. Longfeng Valley remains as a mostly untouched natural pool that retains its natural beauty without man-made structures surrounding it. It is a unique and interesting stop on the mountain and worth a visit on your trip to Yangmingshan…(read more)
Lover’s Waterfall 情人瀑布
Another easily accessible waterfall in the park is Lover’s Waterfall, right across the street from Sulfur Valley.
Sulfur Valley (Liuhuang Valley) in Yangmingshan National Park is a large volcanic sulfur hot spring area with hiking trails, steam vents, sulfur deposits, and large natural hot springs. Sulfur Valley contains a trail that circles the area and also has a free public spring to soak your feet in. It is a unique and interesting stop on the mountain and worth a visit on your trip to Yangmingshan…(read more)
You can book a rock climbing experience at Sulphur Valley on Klook here or KKday here.
You may recognize the Chungshan Building from the back of the 100 NT dollar bill. Originally built as a meeting place for the now defunct National Assembly, the building is now rarely used for events. The fact that is the only building in the world built right on top of a sulfur vent means that it is hard to maintain, and many parts of the building are under constant repair. However it is full of precocious art and beautiful architecture, and it is open daily for tours…(read more) Price: 80 NT You can book a private tour to the Chungshan building on Klook here.
Hours: Tour times are 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM daily and the tour lasts about an hour and a half. I highly recommend it. Be sure to get there about 10 minutes early. Be wary that for some national holidays the building is closed to the public.
Zhuzihu is a small valley in Beitou District of Taipei between Qixing Mountian and Datun Mountian. The valley is especially fertile due to the rich volcanic soil and abundant rain, and the entire area is full of recreational farms which have become popular tourist destinations. You should definitely stop by on your trip to Yangmingshan…(read more)
Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑
Xiaoyoukeng in Yangmingshan National Park is a large volcanic steam vent area with hiking trails, fumaroles, sulfur deposits, and natural hot springs. Even though the name means “small sulfur hole,” it is perhaps the largest and most easily accessible volcanic steam vent area in Taiwan. One could say that it is the Yellowstone of Taiwan. It is a quiet and pleasant stop on the mountain and worth a visit on your trip to Yangmingshan…(read more)
Qixingshan in Yangmingshan National Park (aka Qixing Mountain, Cising Mountain, Chising Mountain, or Seven Star Mountain) is considered the highest dormant volcanic peak in Taiwan, and the highest point in Taipei City. The area is also an important ecological area with protected species. There are a few paths to the top with varying difficulty, and it offers great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset…(read more)
Datunshan 大屯山
Datunshan in Yangmingshan National Park (aka Datun Mountain) is considered the only active volcanic peak in Taiwan, and the island’s only stratovolcano. This along with Turtle Island are the two known active volcanos in Taiwan. The area is also an important ecological area with protected species. Currently access to Datunshan is closed to motor vehicles, but you can cycle or hike to the top. There is a large viewing platform that has great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset…(read more)
Yangmingshan National Park is a mountainous area in Taipei and New Taipei, known for its volcanic activity, hiking trails, wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, and sulfur vents. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei…(read more)
Willie’s Deli (G&G威利熟食店) – The Best Store for Expats in Taipei
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 store is definitely worth a stop. Check out our full blog on this store here.
Guandu is another awesome place in Beitou District that is just a short trip via MRT from New Beitou Hot Spring Area. Here you can enjoy Guandu Wharf, Guandu Temple, and Guandu Nature Preserve. Click on the links above for our full blogs on these three areas.
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