After another scorching hot summer, the weather in Taipei is finally beginning to cool down. When it gets to this time of the year, and the river tracing trips and lazy days at the beach are finally over, we always realize how lucky we are to live in this part of the world. No matter how humid and cold the winters get, there is always a hot spring a short drive away to warm us up!
There are lots of great hot spring ‘areas’ in Northern Taiwan – Beitou, Wulai, Taian and Jiaoxi are among our favorites. However, as nice as the hot spring hotels and resorts are, it is the excitement and adventure of the natural ‘wild’ hot springs in Taiwan that really entice us.
The Bayan Hot Springs in Yangmingshan are a great place to relax
Firstly, a couple of words of warning: These hot springs are not developed and therefore there is always going to be an element of danger when visiting them. Several of these are at the bottom of steep valleys that have quite difficult trails to get down to them. If you are planning on visiting any of these places, you should always be aware of the weather conditions and proceed with caution.
Also, one of the reasons that these hot springs are so amazing is that they are so peaceful, without the mass hordes of tourists that surround the developed hot spring towns. But, of course there is a reason for this – they are (in most cases) not that easy to find or get to. Read directions carefully, and be prepared that although we try to keep things up-to-date, some things may well have changed since this information was written.
1. Xinxing 新興 (3 hours from Taipei +30 minute hike)
The Xinxing Hot Springs are near Baling Village in Taoyuan County
Quite possibly our favorite of the five, the Xinxing hot springs are a lot more remote than the other three meaning that you will more than likely have the whole place to yourself. The springs are set in the river at the bottom of a particularly steep valley (you will feel it climbing back up!) right beside a small waterfall. Be careful here, especially in the summer months when the river can be difficult to cross.
2. Sileng 四棱 (4 hours from Taipei +30 minute hike)
The Sileng Hot Spings on the North Cross Island Highway are wonderfully remote
The most remote of the five hot springs we have chosen, Sileng is a long way to drive (but what a road the North Cross-Island is!) and even after a four drive, there is a particularly steep slope to make your way down to get there. Be careful going down, there are a lot of fisherman’s trails here too and it is easy to get on the wrong trail and end up at the river but nowhere near the hot spring (trust us, we know!). As you would expect, the scenery here is gorgeous and well worth the tough climb down (and even tougher one back up!).
3. Wulai 烏來 (30 minutes from Taipei)
The Wulai Wild Hot Springs
The Wulai District is part of New Taipei City and is reachable by a short 30 minute bus ride from Taipei. There are many hot spring hotels in the area, along with an old street, a fine Atayal museum and a pretty spectacular waterfall. To find the ‘wild’ hot springs, head over the bridge at the end of the old street and turn left on the other side. Walk down the hill and then look for a road that leads off to the left down towards the river. The hot springs are beside the river, and usually locals have created small pools blocking off the water with small stones.
4. Bayan 八煙 (1 hour from Taipei +20 minute hike)
Bayan Hot Springs in Yangmingshan
The Bayan wild hot spring is within the Yangmingshan National Park and officially it is illegal to visit. There are signs on the trail leading to the springs pronouncing a $15,000NT fine for anyone found there. We do know that the authorities will come down and check from time to time, so you have been warned!
The hot springs though are amazing, located beside a fast flowing stream under a jungle-like forest canopy it really feels like another world. They can get quite busy so mornings or weekdays are usually the best time to visit, but there are several levels of pools here, so even on the busiest of days there is usually some space.
5. Fanfan 梵梵 (2 hours from Taipei +30 minute hike)
Fanfan Hot Springs in Yilan County
The Fanfan springs are pretty remote, but still a little easier to get to than both the Xinxing and Sileng ones. There are no steep verges to climb down, which is a blessing, but also means that you are never likely to find a great deal of peace and quiet here.
To get to the springs you need to hike (or drive your 4×4, sigh) up the river bed. You may well need to cross the river several times on the way up so river tracing shoes are very useful. Keep an eye on the weather when visiting this one. Last year several people and their cars got stuck here when a flash flood swelled the river and made it impossible to drive back out!
Soaking in hot water!
