Soaked In The Hot Springs in Taiwan
2nd May 2023 - New Experience Number 14.
Other countries often spring to mind when you think of bathing in the warm waters of a natural, thermal spa, so on discovering there were hot springs in Taiwan, I added it to my list of fifty-two new things to try.
Taiwan is a fantastic island that feels like the love child of China and Japan with clear influences from both of its neighbours. Five days in Taipei was a fabulous introduction to the dynamic country.
We amassed a big step count strolling through the districts, absorbing the sights, and hiking through the beautiful Yangmingshan National Park. A soak in one of the hot springs in Taiwan was just the relaxing tonic we hadn’t realised we needed.
Hot Springs In Taiwan
Situated 100 miles off mainland China where the East and South China Seas meet, Taiwan lies on a fault line where the collision of continental plates brings with it danger from earthquakes.
Yet the combination of an oceanic trench and volcanoes also means the country can reap the benefits from the natural thermal waters that spring to the surface.
Beitou Bathing
We took a short trip out to Beitou, just north of Taipei. It’s considered the hot spring capital of Taiwan.
A pretty, mountainous town, it has lots of green spaces, rivers running through the centre and plenty of choices for a dip in some naturally hot water.
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was ruled by the Japanese. Known for their love of an Onsen, it’s no wonder that the hot springs in Beitou really flourished during that period and became a place of sanctuary.
They are still incredibly popular with tourists and locals today, who go to relax and enjoy the many beneficial properties of submerging in the sulphur water.
Takinoyu Bath House
We visited the Takinoyu public bath house. It’s sometimes referred to as the Longnice hot spring, and the Longnaitang baths. Whichever name you use, it’s one of the oldest bathhouses in Taiwan, dating from 1907 and retains much of the Japanese design.
Takinoyu had several bath options, which were referred to as ‘Soups’ – I mean, I did feel like I was cooking when I was in it at one point, so perhaps that’s a good description!?
- The Public Soup was an indoor communal bath segregated into separate areas for men and women.
- Soup House consisted of private bathing with traditional rooms for families or couples.
- There was also a footbath in the garden for a rejuvenating pick me up without the need to strip off.
Private Bathing - Hot Springs in Taiwan
We took an hour session in the Soup House. Our traditional private room was a little worn around the edges but nice and clean. It was small, yet there was just enough room for the two of us.
The stone bath, wider and deeper than your average tub, was sunken into the ground. It wasn’t big enough for swimming, but plenty big enough to sit and let the warmth wash over us.
Bathing Etiquette
A notice on the wall demonstrated bathing etiquette through illustrations. It required showering before getting into the water.
Once I’d cleaned off the detritus of the outside world, I tentatively put a toe in the water. It was hotter than I’d usually take a bath, and as long as I lowered myself in slowly it was a comfortable submersion.
Sulphur Smells
Hot springs are notorious for their less than pleasant eggy odour.
Usually it just takes a short while to get used to the whiff. Maybe it was a less aromatic day, but these baths hardly had any pungency to them.
Wonderful Wallowing In The Hot Springs In Taiwan
It was such a lovely feeling to immerse myself into the silky hot waters; to feel the heat permeate my skin until I felt warm right through to my bones.
My muscles unclenched, a strange sensation when I hadn’t even realised I’d been holding them so tightly.
It was a blissfully relaxing feeling. Until the heat crept up. The taps were both switched off. The temperature of the water hadn’t changed.
It seemed that my internal thermometer hadn’t stopped rising, and I felt as though I was having a sort of boil in the bag experience!
Feeling The Heat
I stayed in the water until I couldn’t bare it any longer, then stepped out for an invigorating cool rinse under the shower.
The rush of the cold was that peculiar mix of delight and discomfort as I returned to a more pleasant degree of body temperature.
Feeling as though my core climate had stablised, I sank back into our velvety pool as the comforting water lapped around me again. Until, yes, once again, I got too hot and had to recalibrate under the shower.
This happened throughout the hour. I don’t know why we didn’t add cold water. It was there, we could operate the taps if we had really wanted to. Yet there was something satisfying about the contrasting experiences that made me feel both rested and revived.
A Lovely Zen-sation
I had anticipated a nice hour of unwinding in the hot springs. Whilst it most certainly had been lovely and relaxing it had also left me feeling things I had not expected.
I felt decompressed, content, and full of energy! I was in what I think would be described as a state of zen, and it felt wonderful.
Even if you are don’t think you need it, I can highly recommend bathing in hot springs if you ever take a trip to Taiwan. It’s a wonderful way to relax if you’ve been travelling for a while, and a great way to experience part of the culture.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- If you want to try the same experience that we had, we visited the Longnice Hot Springs in Beitou.
- This Hot Spring Map shows where there are hot springs across the whole of the country of Taiwan.
- There are hot springs all over the world; from the great outdoor Blue Lagoon in Iceland, to the decorative hot baths in Budapest, and springs with the spectacular views in Canada. In fact, there are hot springs in every continent, yes, even Antarctica has a hot spring at Deception Island! If you’re planning a trip somewhere and like the idea of a soothing soak, why not have a look to see if there are any hot springs where you are going.
Cost Of Experience
We visited in May 2023.
One hour in a double hot spring cost us NT$ 400 which converted to £10.22.
- The price will vary depending on where you visit a hot spring, and the duration of your stay.
Recommendations
- Follow the rules. There will be different rules and instructions at the different hot springs, make sure to follow them.
- Follow the etiquette. Bathing etiquette usually requires you to shower before you get into the hot spring waters.
- Consider rental options. Many baths will rent you a towel and other accessories for a fee, so if you’re keeping to a tight budget you might want to take your own towels with you.
- Adjust the temperature. If you’re in a private bath, you usually have the options to add more hot or cold water so adjust the temperature to your level of comfort, unless you want the cold shower inbetween like we did.
- Check the specific rules. Some communal baths have certain requirements such as no clothes, or in some cases swimming caps must be worn. Double check before you go in so you don’t get into any hot water with anyone.
- Wash first. Generally, bathers are required to wash before getting into the water, and rinse off after getting out too.
- Check opening times. If you are visiting Beitou where we went, it’s best to avoid a trip on a Monday as many places close for the day. If you want to visit a particular Hot Spring, always check the opening hours in case there are any amendments.
- Share your experience! Maybe keep the photos to yourself on this one, but let me know what your thoughts are if you take a dip in a hot spring in Taiwan.