Beitou Hot Springs in Taipei
Part of the Taipei travel guide — see every topic in All Taipei Guides.
Beitou is a hot spring area in the north of Taipei, and you can reach it by MRT. Volcanic heat from the Yangmingshan area warms the water deep underground. Steam rises from a green-blue pond in the valley, and hotels pipe the hot water into their baths. You can visit for a few hours or stay the night. It is one of the easiest hot spring trips in Asia from a big city.
Getting to Beitou
Take the red line north to Beitou station. There, change to the short branch line to Xinbeitou station. The branch train is only one stop and runs often. From Xinbeitou station, the main hot spring area is a gentle walk uphill along a small park and stream. The whole trip from Taipei Main Station takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Everything in the main area is within walking distance: the park, the museum, the library, Thermal Valley and many hotels. Some larger hotels further up the hill offer a shuttle bus from the station.
Thermal Valley
Thermal Valley, sometimes called Hell Valley, is a hot spring pond surrounded by trees. The water is very hot and slightly acidic, and a thick cloud of steam rises from it. On cool days the steam is especially strong. The water has a light green colour and a smell of sulphur. You cannot touch or bathe in the water here, because it is far too hot. A path with railings goes around the edge. It is a short and easy visit, and it shows you the source of the heat that warms the baths in the area. Check opening days before you go.
Where to bathe
There are three main choices. The public outdoor pool, near Thermal Valley, is cheap and has pools of different temperatures. You must wear a swimsuit there. Many hotels sell day passes to their large shared baths, which are usually split by gender. In these baths people bathe without clothes, as in Japan. The third option is a private room. Many hotels rent small rooms with your own hot spring tub by the hour. This is good for couples, families or anyone who prefers privacy. Prices vary a lot, so compare a few places before you choose.
Museum and library
The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is in an old public bathhouse from the early 1900s, built in the Japanese period. It has a large bathing hall with arches and coloured windows, and a wooden upper floor where you remove your shoes. Entry has usually been free. Nearby, the Beitou branch of the Taipei Public Library is a modern green building made mostly of wood. It has solar panels on the roof and collects rainwater. It is often named as one of the most beautiful libraries in Taiwan. You can walk inside and sit quietly. Both are worth a short stop.
Bathing tips
Shower and wash fully before you enter any shared bath. Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water. Do not put your small towel in the water. Stay in for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time, then cool down and drink water. Hot water can make you dizzy. Do not bathe right after a big meal or after drinking alcohol. People with heart problems, high blood pressure or who are pregnant should ask a doctor first. Remove silver jewellery, because sulphur water can turn it dark. Cooler months, from November to March, are the most pleasant time.
Beitou Hot Springs at a glance
| Getting there | Red line to Beitou, then branch line to Xinbeitou MRT |
|---|---|
| Hours | Many sites close one day a week — check before you go |
| Cost | Public pool cheap; hotel day passes and private rooms cost more |
| Best time | November–March, weekday afternoons |
| Time needed | Half a day |