Beitou Hot Springs in Taipei, 30 minutes via Train

Beitou Hot Springs
30 minutes by Train from Taipei 101
Recommended for a Day Trip, Family Friendly Area

Beitou - River Hot Spring

For a short and quick getaway from the city center, Beitou Hot Springs is a 30 minutes train journey away from Taipei 101. It is a great place for a day trip. You could cover most of the attractions in the area by aligning at Beitou Station, and transfer to XinBeitou Station, walk up a hill called Zhongshan Road, and visit a trial of museums, hotels with indoor hot springs and historical buildings built by the Japanese before World War Two. Entering into Beitou, is like entering into a Japanese countryside, while in Taiwan. There are many parallels between Japan and Taiwan, for those with keen observation, the food, culture and fashion are intertwined, and the Taiwanese gladly follow Japan, technologically and culturally wise.

How to Get to Beitou

Hop into any train in Taipei, take the green line to Beitou, and transfer to XinBeitou Station.

Walk towards the direction of Zhongshan Road. The signs are tourist friendly and in English.

Walk up Zhongshan Road to visit the trial of historical buildings, hot springs and hotels

Travel light as the Zhongshan Road is a hill going upslope, or take a taxi from the station up the hill (US$3) and walk down

Best Dates to Travel to Beitou – Weekdays

Weekdays, especially on Mondays, hotel rates will go down and you will get good deals

Hotel rates jack up on weekends, and the whole of Taipei descends on Beitou for a weekend getaway

Try to avoid Beitou on weekends to avoid conjestion, and schedule it on a weekday.

Beitou Attractions: Zhongshan Road Walking Trial

(exit XinBeitou Train Station, and look for directions to Zhongshan Road – up a hill)

Beitou Hot Springs Museum, carefully restored by the locals with pride

Beitou Public Library - A Green Library built in the middle of a Zen Park

Beitou Outdoor Hot Spring

Beitou Public Hot Spring – Open Air with Bathing Suits

After a tiring walk up and down the hill, hop into a open air hot spring, for mix genders. You are required to wear a bathing suit. Unlike their Japanese counterparts (where no bathing suit is required), the Taiwanese are more conservative and shy. Expect stares if you decide to go in with a bikini, but there is nothing technically wrong with that. The Taiwanese dress conservatively, and baring a shoulder in a spaghetti shirt will induce stares as well.

Beitou Indoor Hot Spring

If you would like your own privacy, and don’t fancy sharing an open air bath with strangers, simply book a private hot spring bath in most hotels in the area. You could simply walk into any hotel, ask for a quotation on 2hours usage of their indoor hot spring. Some hotels throw in bonuses such as free lunch or high tea, and even a private room. Feel free to experiment. Hotel Recommendations: Royal Seasons Hotel (on top of Zhongshan Road), Golden Hot Spring Hotel, Atami Hotel Taipei or Spa Spring Resort.

Health Concerns

*If you are taking the train, do wear a Flu Mask if you are prone to catching flu. Two of our editors fell sick with flu after the train ride to Beitou. The local Taiwanese doctor advised that flu is most easily transmitted while on the train, and it is very common for locals to wear the flu mask, available in all Pharmacies. You will blend in easily with a flu mask. They might think you are local too.