Taipei’s Beitou district is known for it’s hot springs and resorts. In fact, the whole district has built its entire tourism industry around it’s fortunate proximity to subterranean volcanic activity.
Hot springs aren’t for everyone, though I highly recommend you try it out at least once during your trip. But if you’re looking for a unique free attraction in the area, look no further than Beitou Thermal Valley.
Beitou Thermal Valley, otherwise known as the Geothermal Hell Valley (as the locals call it), is an easy day-trip with interesting and beautiful scenery. And of course, it’s blazing hot.
Here’s what you should expect visiting this popular Taipei attraction situated in Beitou District.
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Why Visit Beitou Thermal Valley?
If you plan to visit Taipei, then you should really take a detour to Beitou for this stunning hot spring. You really need to see it with your own eyes to appreciate the raw beauty.
Often called one of Taiwan’s 12 Great Scenic Sites during the Japanese colonial period, Beitou Thermal Valley is truly a unique attraction that you won’t be able to see anywhere else in Taipei.
Because Beitou district is situated on the foothill of Yangmingshan National Park (Taipei’s volcano), the area sits on top of volcanic activity. As such, the area is blessed with hot spring water all around.
The Beitou Thermal Valley is an open sulfur hot spring lake with a built fence to prevent visitors from getting too close to the heated water. Though small, the rich emerald color of the small lake is truly a sight to behold.
If you’re traveling to Taipei during winter, then this attraction is perfect. We (unfortunately) went during the harsh summers of Taipei and it was difficult to get close for too long.
Things to Know
Needless to say, this is not a hot spring for you to bathe in (there are plenty of great options for that in this area). As evident by the wooden fence and warning signs, Beitou Thermal Valley is meant to be enjoyed with the eyes only.
Another reason why you shouldn’t be taking a plunge is because the temperature of the water is scolding hot. I’m not joking, as the temperatures can reach a blazing 90 degrees Celsius. This is the hottest temperature of a spring source from the Tatun Volcanic Group (大屯火山群).
For reference, the temperature of boiling water is 100 degrees Celsius. So unless you want to almost literally get boiled alive, stay behind the fence where you’re meant to be.
Acidic Water & Steam
And if you’re looking for even more reasons to keep a safe distance, know that the water isn’t pure H2O (water). In addition to sulfur, the water contains plaster, alunite, jarosite, realgar and radium.
When combined, the pH level is an alarming 1.4 to 1.6. In other words, the water is highly acidic and corrosive. However, it’s also because of these extra chemical elements that create the beautiful emerald color.
No matter when you visit, there will be a stunning and somewhat mysterious sulphuric cloud of steam hovering above the small lake. It’s a surreal sight, but downright beautiful in my opinion.
But because of this eerie steam, expect to occasionally get a whiff of “rotten eggs.” But there’s no need to worry, that’s just the smell of the sulfur. Plus, it’s not overbearing and you kind of just get used to it.
Radioactive Rocks
As you may have noticed, large rocks surround the lake. These aren’t just any pieces of rock. Rather, they’re called Hokulite rocks – named by the Japanese during their rule.
They’re also known as Anglesobarite or just “Beitou rocks” by the Taiwanese locals. And don’t you even think about taking one back as a souvenir!
These rocks extremely rare and contain Radium, which is a radioactive element. But don’t worry, it’s not enough to give you radiation poisoning, especially if you stay behind the intended barriers.
What’s fascinating is that the special rocks can only be found in Beitou (Taipei) and also in the Akita Prefecture in Japan. So, it’s truly special and worth visiting for this alone.
How to Get to Beitou Thermal Valley
Beitou Thermal Valley is located in Beitou district, so it’s a bit of a trip if you’re coming from downtown Taipei. Still, it’s easy to get there using Taipei’s robust public transportation system.
To get to Beitou Thermal Valley, you want to take the MRT Red Line (towards Tamsui) and exit Beitou MRT Station. From there, you want to transfer to the Xinbeitou MRT Line (it’s just one stop).
After exiting Xinbeitou Station, walk out to Zhongshan Road and turn left (head east). You’ll eventually reach a Hi-Life convenience store, where you want to turn left. Keep walking and you’ll see the entrance for the attraction.
From Xinbeitou Station, it should take you between 10 to 15 minutes to reach the entrance of the Thermal Valley by foot. Google maps and the friendly locals are your best friend if you get lost. However, it should be fairly straightforward.
Exploring Beitou Thermal Valley
After following the instructions to get to the thermal valley, you should soon stumble upon the entrance, which is this stone that says “Hot Spring Valley.”
At this point I could already smell the rotten eggs….I mean, the sulfuric water. So, I knew it was close by.
If you’re sensitive to smells, I’d consider bringing a “surgical mask,” which you can find in every Taiwanese convenient store (including the Hi-Life you just passed by).
We actually visited the Thermal Valley in late June. It was probably around 30 degrees Celsius (85 F) that day. So as you can imagine, there weren’t a lot of tourists visiting at that time.
In fact, it was so hot that we couldn’t even stand being too close to the edge of the fence. We spent a great deal of time observing from as far back as possible.
To get these pictures, we ran to the fence, snapped a shot and quickly ran back. Yes, I know…it was a brilliant idea. Almost as brilliant as planning a trip to Taiwan’s hottest thermal valley…mid summer.
You’ll never be able to tell through this picture, but it was almost unbearably hot. Still, you can’t deny the beautiful scenery.
For this reason, I definitely wouldn’t recommend coming here during summer, or any hot day. It’s still possible to visit, it’s just not as pleasant. You’ll likely be sweating like a pig just strolling along the walkway.
The good news is that the “lake” is pretty small. So, your visit can be relatively quick if need be. We probably spent a total of 10 – 15 minutes here. If it weren’t so gorgeous, it would have been a lot shorter.
And if you truly can’t stand the heat, there’s an elevated area behind the main walkway where you can get a decent look at the Thermal Valley from even further away.
Overall, I thought the Thermal Valley was amazing and Taipei (Beitou) is truly blessed to have such a unique and interesting natural attraction.
Would I visit this again? You bet I would. However, next time I’d come in December and/or January during one of Taipei’s random cold streaks. I can imagine this hot spring to be pretty nice come winter time, where the heat is more comforting than it is burning.
If you’re in the area or have the time to travel to Beitou district, this should be on top of your list of things to do.
Attractions Near Thermal Valley
If you’re in Beitou for the Thermal Valley, know that there are plenty of things to do nearby. Your visit to this natural attraction will certainly be a highlight, but people don’t generally spend too much time here.
Depending on where you’re staying in Taipei, it’d be a shame for you to travel all the way there for just this one thing (though it’d still probably be worth it).
Beitou Hot Spring Museum
Hot springs are very important to Taiwanese culture, largely thanks to colonial Japan. When the Japanese gained control of this country, they brought along their hot spring culture with them.
Back then, Beitou district was a popular area for the Japanese because of the hot springs. And in 1921, they built the Kazan Hotel, which at the time, was the best and most popular hot spring hotel.
It was even used to house the revered Japanese Kamikaze pilots during WWII.
However, it wasn’t until 1998 that the Taipei government decided to transform this old hotel into the Beitou Hot Spring Museum you see today.
It’s a great place to check out if you’re near Beitou Thermal Valley because it’s just a short 5 minute walk away. Great museum and conveniently nearby.
Beitou Public Library
I know, did I really just recommend a…library? Though I’m not a person that particularly enjoys going to the library, the Beitou Public Library is definitely worth checking out.
It’s truly a beautiful library and it’s famous because of the unique architectural design. You don’t see many libraries like this and it’s certainly the most awesome library in Taipei.
There’s a “mini park” and little moat around the library and it just makes for a very nice stroll. Plus, the interior of the museum is also beautiful.
The Beitou Public Library is literally right next to the Beitou Hot Spring museum (5 – 7 minutes walking from Thermal Valley). So, if you’re checking out the other attractions, this library makes a lot of sense.
Staying in Beitou
Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do in Beitou District and not just the Thermal Valley. It’s definitely one of the best districts if you’re trying to get away from the busy inner city.
Hotels in this area can range quite a bit. Of course, you’ll get your luxury hot spring hotels. However, there are plenty of budget options as well. These are our favorite places to stay near Beitou Thermal Valley.
On My Way Taipei
On My Way is a nice hostel near the hot springs of Beitou. It’s a little bit far from Beitou Thermal Valley, but it’s still manageable with a 15-minute walk.
As a hostel, it’s not the nicest place. However, so many tourists love the place and the raving reviews speak volume. You’ll never get bored, as there are loads of board games in the common room. But chances are, you won’t be spending too much time here.
What makes this place unique is the outdoor rooftop. What’s nicer than hanging out in this area after spending a few hours relaxing and bathing in hot springs? It’s a great place for solo travelers to mingle too.
Hotel Leisure Beitou
Hotel Leisure is a great budget hotel option. It’s not the cheapest because it’s in a prime location for Beitou. Plus, it’s just a 10 minute walk away from Beitou Thermal Valley.
The hotel is modern and clean. However, the rooms are a little bit small. If you’re traveling by yourself and don’t want to stay in a hostel, then the room size is just fine.
The thing Hotel Leisure in Beitou is most known for is customer service. Check out the thousands of happy customers that give their service an A++.
Asia Pacific Hotel Beitou
The Asia Pacific Hotel in Beitou is actually one of the best hotels in all of Taipei. Being just 10 minutes away from Beitou Thermal Valley, it’s also in a great location.
This place is pure luxury. Everything from the room prices to the hot spring bath in your hotel room, this hotel screams 5 star. Though it’s expensive, you get what you paid for.
Design is modern and downright stunning. It’s built with elements of contemporary and Japanese architecture. The service is one of the best and you really can’t go wrong with staying at Asia Pacific Hotel.
If you’re still figuring the best place to stay in Taipei, we’re here to help. Here are the Best Areas to Stay for 6 Types of Tourists. We break down the districts based on what you want to do in Taipei. So, which tourist are you?
Other Taipei Attractions:
- Elephant Mountain Hike
- Taipei 101 Observatory
- Daan Forest Park
- Shilin Night Market
- Tonghua Night Market
- Taipei Muzha Zoo
- Wulai Mountain District