Taiwan's Best Hot Springs
To reach Xingyi Road, hop on bus 508 or 535 from Shipai MRT station and get off at Xingyi Road 3 stop (行義路站三), or take a taxi . The hot spring usually officially kicks off with the Hot Spring Festival in Taipei in October and November. Private rooms range from super simple wooden or tiled windowless boxes to fancy hotel rooms with a bed for…resting! You’ll get a phone call or knock when your time is almost up.
Mineral deposits from the hot spring water have painted the cliff vibrant hues of orange and green, which is a true spectacle to observe as you recline in the hot water and look up. There are even calcium carbonate deposits that look like brain coral. For the best developed/family-friendly hot springs, head to Huilai Resort (會來尖石溫泉渡假村) (see on Booking / Agoda 最炫伴手禮 / TripAdvisor). Note that the kids’ waterpark at Huilai is not heated, so that section is not open in winter, but there are still plenty of shallow pools for the kids to enjoy. One of the most rewarding wild hot springs in Northern Taiwan is Sileng Hot Spring, located in a remote corner of Taoyuan on the Northern Cross-Island Highway (Provinial Highway #7).
On the way back, we scootered all the way from Kenting to Hualien in one day, staying on the main highways mentioned above, with few stops, and did it in 10 hours. In this article, Part 2, you’ll need another 1-4 days to travel from Hualien City to Taitung or Kenting at the far southern tip of Taiwan. In theory, you can ride a scooter from Hualien City all the way to Kenting in 1 day, and I’ve done this before. It’s a long day on the road, and you won’t have much time for stops. Covers a lot of ground in four days, traveling from Hualien to Taitung on Highway 11 and back on Highway 9 , then north to Jiaoxi and back to Taipei, visiting many spots mentioned in this article. The hot springs in Taitung are mild to the touch as the water is mostly sodium bicarbonate, slightly alkaline and has pH levels between 7 and 8.
If you’re traveling to Taitung, and want to know what’s there to do, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s my guide to the best things to do in Taitung, plus all my insider tips to help you plan the perfect Taitung itinerary. The Amis are the largest ethnic group in the Chenggong Township. Chenggong is the proud owner of the longest coastline in Taitung County.
The scenery can be much more gorgeous on a good weather day. This photogenic place has become popular since the Mr. Brown Coffee commercial was filmed. As you can imagine, there is Mr. Brown cafe, where you can grab a coffee. I will write more about other key cities along the East coast – Yilan and Hualien – in separate posts. To best enjoy its gorgeous landscapes and seascapes, you will need a blessing from Mother Nature.
A lot of travelers stop in at Guangfu Sugar Factory (光復糖廠冰棒) for their famous ice cream. Shisan keng creek hot spring is located in Baolai Creek, Kaohsiung, and is only available when the river is dry. Along the stream, there will be several pools such as seven pits, ten pits, and thirteen pits along the road! The spring got its name because of its location in the thirteenth tributary of Baolai Stream.
To reach Baolai by public transportation from Kaohsiung Railway Station, take bus No. 8025 to Liugui town. The rooms have private tubs and excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Further south in Hualien County, on inland Highway 9 , Ruisui is yet another hot spring village for diehard hot spring lovers to seek out.
Facing the sea and a river, it is more of a man-made park than a wild forest. It’s better to have a bicycle to go around the park than to walk, unless you have a lot of time. You can rent a bicycle at the park entrance or at the train station. As ecotourism becomes more popular, Daren’s pristine river landscapes have become a favorite for nature lovers. Vipers and Formosa Lily are the most representative totems of the area’s indigenous people.
If you only visit for a soak in the hot spring, you can score this highly discounted price for adults online. Kids under 100 cm are free, while older kids can get a discounted price at the door. So if you are in a rush to get to the beach, skip this one. The second option for traveling from Hualien to Taitung is by taking Highway 11 along the coast. This winding, scenic drive offers plenty of coastal views, but there is no public transportation available covering the whole route. Have a traditional Taiwanese Local Dinner before visiting the oldest temple in Taiwan – Longshan Temple.
Mineral deposits from the hot spring water have painted the cliff vibrant hues of orange and green, which is a true spectacle to observe as you recline in the hot water and look up. There are even calcium carbonate deposits that look like brain coral. For the best developed/family-friendly hot springs, head to Huilai Resort (會來尖石溫泉渡假村) (see on Booking / Agoda 最炫伴手禮 / TripAdvisor). Note that the kids’ waterpark at Huilai is not heated, so that section is not open in winter, but there are still plenty of shallow pools for the kids to enjoy. One of the most rewarding wild hot springs in Northern Taiwan is Sileng Hot Spring, located in a remote corner of Taoyuan on the Northern Cross-Island Highway (Provinial Highway #7).
On the way back, we scootered all the way from Kenting to Hualien in one day, staying on the main highways mentioned above, with few stops, and did it in 10 hours. In this article, Part 2, you’ll need another 1-4 days to travel from Hualien City to Taitung or Kenting at the far southern tip of Taiwan. In theory, you can ride a scooter from Hualien City all the way to Kenting in 1 day, and I’ve done this before. It’s a long day on the road, and you won’t have much time for stops. Covers a lot of ground in four days, traveling from Hualien to Taitung on Highway 11 and back on Highway 9 , then north to Jiaoxi and back to Taipei, visiting many spots mentioned in this article. The hot springs in Taitung are mild to the touch as the water is mostly sodium bicarbonate, slightly alkaline and has pH levels between 7 and 8.
If you’re traveling to Taitung, and want to know what’s there to do, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s my guide to the best things to do in Taitung, plus all my insider tips to help you plan the perfect Taitung itinerary. The Amis are the largest ethnic group in the Chenggong Township. Chenggong is the proud owner of the longest coastline in Taitung County.
The scenery can be much more gorgeous on a good weather day. This photogenic place has become popular since the Mr. Brown Coffee commercial was filmed. As you can imagine, there is Mr. Brown cafe, where you can grab a coffee. I will write more about other key cities along the East coast – Yilan and Hualien – in separate posts. To best enjoy its gorgeous landscapes and seascapes, you will need a blessing from Mother Nature.
A lot of travelers stop in at Guangfu Sugar Factory (光復糖廠冰棒) for their famous ice cream. Shisan keng creek hot spring is located in Baolai Creek, Kaohsiung, and is only available when the river is dry. Along the stream, there will be several pools such as seven pits, ten pits, and thirteen pits along the road! The spring got its name because of its location in the thirteenth tributary of Baolai Stream.
To reach Baolai by public transportation from Kaohsiung Railway Station, take bus No. 8025 to Liugui town. The rooms have private tubs and excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Further south in Hualien County, on inland Highway 9 , Ruisui is yet another hot spring village for diehard hot spring lovers to seek out.
Facing the sea and a river, it is more of a man-made park than a wild forest. It’s better to have a bicycle to go around the park than to walk, unless you have a lot of time. You can rent a bicycle at the park entrance or at the train station. As ecotourism becomes more popular, Daren’s pristine river landscapes have become a favorite for nature lovers. Vipers and Formosa Lily are the most representative totems of the area’s indigenous people.
If you only visit for a soak in the hot spring, you can score this highly discounted price for adults online. Kids under 100 cm are free, while older kids can get a discounted price at the door. So if you are in a rush to get to the beach, skip this one. The second option for traveling from Hualien to Taitung is by taking Highway 11 along the coast. This winding, scenic drive offers plenty of coastal views, but there is no public transportation available covering the whole route. Have a traditional Taiwanese Local Dinner before visiting the oldest temple in Taiwan – Longshan Temple.
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