A Complete Beginner’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Beitou Hot Spring

There are many Beitou hot spring experiences that you can enjoy while spending a day in Beitou District, a popular day-trip destination from Taipei, Taiwan.

From seeing hot springs in nature to soaking your tired feet in the hot spring foot bath and fully immersed in one of the hot springs in Beitou, you will find something you want to do in Beitou. And you can even eat food made with hot spring water!

Keep reading if you want to visit Beitou, one of Taiwan’s four main hot spring towns. I will show you all the options for experiencing hot springs in Beitou, hot spring etiquette and the general rules for using a hot spring in Taiwan.

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Beitou hot springs: what you need to know

Before trying some of the best Beitou hot springs, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Taiwan. I included a lot of travel information, including how to get around Taiwan, where to get a Taiwan SIM card and other useful travel info.

Here are additional tips you may find useful for visiting Beitou public hot springs:

• Best day to visit Beitou: any day but Monday (foot baths, thermal valley and all museums are closed) and Wednesday (Longnice is closed)
• Visiting all these hot spring attractions in Beitou in one day is possible.
• If you can splurge, stay overnight at one of the Beitou hotels and experience a traditional hot springs hotel.
• Read my tips on etiquette and guidelines for using hot springs before trying Beitou public hot springs.
• Purchase a rechargeable smartcard called EasyCard or iPass. Either card is good for taking the MRT to Beitou from Taipei. You can get the rechargeable card at any major train station or convenience store in Taiwan.
• Plan your day trip to Beitou with the following festivals and events:
  • Xinbeitou Historic Station Anniversary (late March to April)
  • Taiwan Moon Lute Folk Music Festival (September to October)
  • Beitou Hot Spring Museum Anniversary (late October to November)
  • Taipei Hot Springs Season (late October to November)

How to travel from Taipei to Beitou

Beitou is part of the Beitou District (北投區), the northernmost district of Taipei City in Taiwan. The easiest way to get to Beitou is by taking the Taipei Metro (MRT).

Even though there is a Beitou MRT Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line (red line), don’t get off there. Transfer at Beitou Station by hopping on another subway on Xinbeitou Line and taking one stop to Xinbeitou MRT Station.

How to get around Beitou District

Once you arrive at Xinbeitou MRT Station, you can find many signages that help you navigate around Beitou. The signposts have signs in both English and Chinese and also include approximate distances.

It is easy to get around Beitou, and you can walk to all the attractions mentioned in this post.

Beitou hot spring day trip: what to bring

For a fun day trip (or overnight trip) to Beitou, make sure you bring the following items:

1. Conservative bathing suit if you want to use one of the public outdoor mixed-gender hot springs.
2. Towel as most public springs and foot baths, do not provide towels.
3. Soap and shampoo if you use the public hot spring.
4. Comfortable footwear since exploring Beitou is best done on foot (plus, if you want to visit Sulphur Valley Recreation Area, it’s a bit of a walk).
5. Hat or visor (something to shield you from the sun).
6. Water for your hike to Sulphur Valley Recreation Area and after your hot spring bath
7. Overnight bag if you decide to stay at a Beitou hot spring resort

Introduction to hot spring etiquette: how to use a hot spring in Beitou

There are very specific rules and etiquette when it comes to hot springs. And the same rules apply to hot springs throughout Taiwan and Japan.

But first, here is a quick summary of how to use a hot spring:

1. Wash – sit at on a low stool in the shower and wash your hair and body
2. Rinse – use the bucket or showerhead to rinse off
3. Bathe – enjoy your hot spring experience
4. Shower – take another shower before getting dressed
5. Drink – drink water afterwards to replenish the water back into your body

Since many people use the hot spring, you must follow these rules to clean yourself and the pools.

And by now, you must be thinking, am I going to be naked in the hot spring with other people? The answer is yes.

Public hot springs are divided into men’s and women’s areas. Unless the hot spring is specified, you always go into the hot spring without your clothes.

It might feel weird walking around naked or being in the pool naked with strangers, and you might feel you need to cover yourself. But honestly, nobody cares, and everyone does the same thing. Don’t let this small detail deter you from experiencing the hot springs.

General rules for using hot springs

There is a long list of rules just at the entrance of Millenium Hot Spring. But in general, most hot spring facilities follow these guidelines:

1. Always take a shower before going into the water.
2. The recommended duration in hot springs is 15 minutes at a time. You can return to hot spring water, but the maximum is three times.
3. Do not use hot springs if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or an infectious disease.
4. For women, do not use hot springs during the menstrual period or while pregnant.
5. Don’t overeat or consume any alcohol before using hot springs.
6. Respect other people’s privacy. Photography is not allowed.

There may be other rules, as each hot spring is different. But generally speaking, if you follow these guidelines, you will be okay.

What to do in Beitou: 13 Hot Spring Experiences

By now, you must be very curious about what to do in Beitou. I’ve categorized different hot spring experiences into these categories:

Learn about hot spring culture in Beitou

1. Xinbeitou Historic Station
2. Beitou Hot Spring Museum 

See natural hot springs in Beitou District

1. Beitou Park
2. Beitou Thermal Valley
3. Sulphur Valley Recreation Area 

Immerse in Beitou hot springs and footbaths

1. Beitou Quan Yuan No. 48 Park
2. Fuxing Hot Foot Spa
3. Millennium Hot Spring 
4. Longnice Hot Spring
5. Waterhouse Hotel

Eat food made with hot spring water in Beitou 

1. Hot spring eggs and corn
2. Hot spring ramen 

Bring home the Beitou hot spring experience 

1. Buy souvenirs at Xinbeitou Historic Station or Geothermal Valley Shop

Each experience is pinned on the interactive map so you can find the location easily. Also, read the corresponding description below.

Learn about hot spring culture in Beitou

1. Xinbeitou Historic Station

The wooden building of Xinbeitou Historic Station (新北投車站) was the original train station on the Tamsui railway line. It was removed from its original located and restored next to Xinbeitou MRT Station. Today, you can see nostalgic railway exhibit and buy souvenirs.

Besides the restored wooden building in Qixing Park, there is a museum exhibit inside the old train carriage. And there is a hot spring hand-soaking pool that has blue sulfur spring water. This unique spring water can only be found in Akita Prefecture in Japan and Beitou in Taiwan.

Address: No. 1, Qixing Street, Beitou District, Taipei City | Hours: 10am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)

How to get there: Make a right turn when you exit Xinbeitou MRT Station. The museum, train carriage and hand hot spring pool are all in Qixing Park.

2. Beitou Hot Spring Museum

Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) was a public hot spring but was abandoned after World War II. As the area became popular, the historic Japanese building was converted into a museum where the two-storey building displays comprehensive information about Beitou‘s history, hot spring culture and etiquette and everything related to hot springs.

After all, the hot spring culture is very popular, especially when it comes to healing and therapy. Hot springs have many benefits, from increased blood circulation to reducing stress and promoting better sleep!

Address: No.2, Zhongshan Road, Taipei City | Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: free

How to get there: Beitou Hot Spring Museum is located on the east end of Beitou Park, only about 5 minutes from Xinbeitou MRT Station.

See natural hot springs in Beitou District

1. Beitou Park

Beitou Park (北投公園) is one of the four major parks in Taipei from the Japanese era and is the first hot spring park in Taiwan. The city park has countless features which includes a large fountain, beautiful library, a skating rink, and the public toilet.

This is also the precise location where you can find Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Millenium Hot Spring, and the Plum Pavilion.

But more importantly, there are five small waterfalls with hot spring pools at each waterfall. When you walk around Beitou Park, you can hear the hot spring water flowing and smell a hint of sulfur in the air.

Address: Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City | Hours: 24 hours | Admission: free

How to get there: The hot spring park is directly across from Xinbeitou MRT Station.

2. Beitou Thermal Valley

The Thermal Valley (地熱谷), known as “Hell Valley,” is one of the top attractions in Beitou.

The hot spring water at the Thermal Valley is the primary source of hot spring water in Beitou. And here, you will find “Beitou Rocks,” also known as Hokutolite or Anglesobarite, a rare rock containing radioactive radium.

But this is not the type of hot spring you can dip in. The water is between 80 to 100°C! It will burn your skin if you touch it! You can only walk along the path and see the deep emerald green hot spring water and sulphuric steam hovering over the water. The entire scene is quite eerie but cool.

However, there is a new hot spring pool for your hands at the entrance of the Thermal Valley. Dip your hand in the warm green sulphuric spring water and enjoy its therapeutic properties.

Address: between Zhongshan Road and Wenquan Road, Taipei City | Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: free

How to get there: From Xinbeitou MRT Station, walk through Beitou Park and in 10 minutes, you will arrive at Beitou Thermal Valley.

3. Sulphur Valley Recreation Area

The Sulphur Valley Recreation Area (硫磺谷遊憩區) is just east of the city centre. The area has a hiking trail where you can see different areas of the natural hot spring, including a few sulphur pools with blue-green hot spring water.

The current landscape is a result of sulphur mining which started around 1349. But mining activities have been stopped to minimize environmental impact. Today, you can see sulphur pools and hydrothermal activities here. And you can dip your feet in the free foot soaking hot spring pool.

If you walk further, you can see Xinyi Falls (情人瀑布) and Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園).

The Longfenggu Visitor Centre is on the park’s east end if you want to learn more about the recreation area.

Address: No.200, Quanyuan Road, Taipei City | Hours: 24 hours | Admission: free

How to get there: From Xinbeitou MRT Station, the walk to the hiking trails takes about 30 minutes. Part of the journey is on a big road, so please be careful as you walk on the side of the road.

Immerse in Beitou hot springs and footbaths

1. Beitou Quan Yuan No. 48 Park

If you have been exploring Beitou on foot, your feet must be tired. There are a few foot baths in Beitou where you can soak your feet for free.

The footbath at Beitou Quan Yuan No.48 Park (泉源公園溫泉泡腳池園區) is long and narrow but it is wide enough for people sitting across from each other. And the long foot bath is very popular with locals.

Remember to rinse your feet before soaking your feet in the hot spring pool.

Address: No.155, Zhuhai Road, Taipei City | Hours: 8am-12pm and 1-6pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: free

How to get there: The free foot bath is a 15-minute walk from Xinbeitou MRT Station. And you have to walk uphill a bit before reaching the quiet park.

2. Fuxing Hot Foot Spa

Fuxing Hot Foot Spa (復興公園泡腳池) is another free foot spa and is located at the south end of the park. You won’t miss it because the hot spring foot bath draws a crowd. Locals love coming here!

Like the other free foot bath, ensure you wash your feet before enjoying the foot spa. You can leave your shoes in the open cubbies.

Address: No.61, Zhonghe Street, Taipei City | Hours: 8am-6pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: free

How to get there: The free hot spring foot spa is just a minute away from Xinbeitou MRT Station. When you exit the station, walk north until you reach the park.

3. Millenium Hot Spring

Millenium Hot Spring (親水公園露天溫泉) is a public outdoor hot spring, and it is one of the original public hot springs in Beitou. It is very affordable and popular with the locals.

Typically, women and men use separate hot spring facilities. But Millenium Hot Spring is a mixed-gender hot spring.

And since men and women use the outdoor hot spring together, you must wear a swimsuit. And at Millenium, they are strict about wearing a conservative one-piece bathing suit. So leave your skimpy bikinis home because you cannot wear them here.

If you want to try one of the original Beitou public hot springs and can look at the starry sky while soaking in hot spring water, visit Millenium Hot Spring at night.

Address: No.6, Zhongshan Road, Taipei City | Hours: 5:30-7:30am, 8-10am, 10:30am-1pm, 1:30-4pm, 4:30-7pm, 7:30-10pm | Admission: NT$60 (cash, EasyCard or iPass)

How to get there: The public hot spring is east of Beitou Park, on Zhongshan Road. Look for an entrance with a kiosk.

4. Longnice Hot Spring

Since opening its doors in 1907, Long Nai Tang or Longnice Hot Springs (瀧乃湯浴室) is Taiwan’s oldest hot spring and a favourite for locals. It is a “traditional hot spring” (aka you go in naked).

Men and women have separate areas. Each area has two pools: one pool has a temperature of 45-46°C while the cooler pool is 42-43°C.

The hot spring is set in a beautiful Japanese-inspired setting. It is a small and cozy hot spring.

But if you are not used to the “traditional” type of hot spring, especially in a small pool with other strangers, you might want to try a private hot spring, also available at Longnice Hot Spring. This private hot spring is ideal for couples and families.

Address: No.244, Guangming Road, Taipei City | Hours: 6:30-11am, 12-5pm, 6-9pm (closed Wednesday) | Admission: NT$150 per person, NT$400 for 2 person for double spa (up to 2 people), NT$600 for 2 person for family spa (up to 5 people) and opens 12-6pm

How to get there: From Xinbeitou MRT Station, walk east along the south side of Beitou Park. After about 8 minutes, you will see a tiny low-profile house on the south side of the road. The signage is Chinese, so look for a house like the above photo.

5. Waterhouse Hotel

For the best hot spring experience in Taiwan, stay overnight at a Beitou hot spring resort and enjoy a private hot spring experience in your own room.

Waterhouse Hotel is a newly renovated hot spring resort hotel with Japanese-inspired guest rooms. The Economy Room has a comfortable bed on Japanese tatami mats, a modern bathroom and a deep soaker tub where you can have your own private onsen hot spring experience.

Moreover, Waterhouse Hotel has a public hot spring. It is free for hotel guests and a small fee for others.

Men and women have separate hot spring areas.

The women’s public hot spring area includes a nook for lockers, an area for sinks and hot spring-style showers (i.e. low showers with a stool).

There are several (private and semi-open) hot spring pools with white sulphur hot spring water. The water is naturally hot from the geothermal activity in the Beitou area.

Overall, I love the public hot springs at Waterhouse Hotel because of the minimalist and modern touches of an old tradition. And also because I was the only guest using the public hot spring that day! It was so nice to have the whole place to myself!

Check Waterhouse Hotel prices and reviews on Agoda if you are considering staying overnight at this Beitou hot spring resort.

Address: No.248, Guangming Road, Taipei City | Hours: 8am-9pm | Admission: NT$780 (weekday), NT$1,080 (weekends), or free if you are a hotel guest

How to get there: The hot spring hotel is a 10-minute from Xinbeitou MRT Station. Similar to the directions for Longnice, walk east on the south side of Beitou Park, pass Longnice, and it’s another 2 minutes up the road.

Eat food made with hot spring water in Beitou 

1. Hot spring eggs and corn

And when you finish all the other hot spring activities in Beitou, try food made with hot spring water.

Outside of Beitou Thermal Valley, there are a few cafes serving hot spring-related food. At Tea Colours Cafe, they sell hot spring eggs and corn and other Taiwanese snacks. And a few doors down, another vendor sells different types of hot spring eggs.

2. Hot spring ramen

Around Beitou District, there are several Japanese ramen shops advertising “hot spring ramen”. I’m sure the noodles are not made with hot spring water. But Japanese cuisine has been associated with hot spring culture, so perhaps ramen is THE go-to hot spring food?

Anyway, here are a few ramen shops serving “hot spring ramen”:

• Japanese Hot Spring Ramen (滿足溫泉拉麵) – a popular ramen restaurant located across from Beitou Park. I thought the ramen was just okay (I’ve been spoiled by really good ramen in Japan) but still kind of a neat experience.
• Man-Lai Ramen Noodles (满来温泉拉麵) – serving hot spring ramen at their new location.
• Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen (滿客屋台式拉麵) – also serves ramen noodles.

Bring home the Beitou hot spring experience 

1. Buy hot spring souvenirs from Xinbeitou Historic Center or Geothermal Valley Shop

And lastly, if you want to extend your hot spring experience, buy the hot spring powder at either Xinbeitou Historic Center or at the Geothermal Valley Shop (地熱谷小舖) (at the entrance of Beitou Thermal Valley).

All you need to do is add 10g to your bath or 5mg to your foot spa, and you will have a thermal experience at home.

Besides the hot spring powder, you can also buy hot spring soap and other knick-knacks at either place.

Interested in joining a tour in Taipei, Taiwan?

Which Beitou hot spring experience are you most excited about?

If you are travelling solo in Taipei, take a day off from the city and have a Taipei hot spring experience in Beitou. It is one of the easiest day trips from Taipei and a lot of fun too!

Besides all the healing properties, soaking in a hot spring is a relaxing activity that anyone can enjoy. Which hot spring experience are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading my Beitou hot spring post

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan 
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan 
• 22 must-eat food in Taiwan 
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food

Northern Taiwan posts

• Things to do alone in Taipei Taiwan
• Where to stay in Taipei for solo travellers
• Dadaocheng Taipei: what to do, buy and eat on Dihua Street 
• 9 Places to eat breakfast in Taipei 
• Top 21 food to try in Ximending in Taipei 
• 7 Best day trips from Taipei
• How to travel from Taipei to Jiufen 
• Bitoujiao Trail: short and easy hike from Taipei or Yilan
• Monka Hotel: affordable Taipei boutique hotel
• Kimpton Da’an Hotel: best luxury boutique hotel in Taipei

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