Beitou Hot Springs

A homecoming onsen for Japanese travelers

Discovered in 1894, first inn "Tenguan" opened 1896 by Osaka merchant Hirata Gengo—the起点 of Taiwan’s onsen culture. Hokutolite (mildly radioactive) forms only here and at Tamagawa, Akita. Emperor Showa visited as crown prince.

Three spring types

1. White sulfur: milky, mildly acidic; most hotels use it (like Hakone’s white waters).
2. Green sulfur: strongly acidic pH 1.4–1.6; Taiwan’s only bathable strong-acid spring, at old houses like Longnice.
3. Iron sulfur: iron-rich. Mostly free-flowing from the source.

Half-day model

1. Xinbeitou Historic Station (free): relocated wooden terminus.
2. Beitou Library: Taiwan’s first green-architecture library.
3. Hot Spring Museum (free, closed Mon): 1913 public bathhouse; big bath + tatami hall are must-sees.
4. Hell Valley: 80–100°C source steaming; viewing only, best in winter.
5. Bathe: century-old Longnice (nude bath from NT$150, private rooms from NT$400, green sulfur, closed Wed) or 5-star Grand View Resort, or Japanese-style Kagaya.

Access & time needed

• Walkable from MRT Xinbeitou; ~30–40 min from downtown. Stay half a day to overnight.
• Pair with Yangmingshan, Tamsui or Shilin Night Market.

Tips

• Museum and library mostly closed Mondays; Longnice closes summers (~Jun–Sep). Check official sites.
• Most Beitou baths require swimsuits; Longnice’s communal bath is a rare nude bath (separated). Limit strong-acid soaks to 5 min at a time, 1 hr total; don’t scrub skin.
• Strong sulfur smell; remove silver jewelry first.

Photo spots

Hell Valley steam, museum red-brick facade + stained glass, historic station platform.