It's a well-known fact that Taiwan is full of hot springs! In addition to popular hot spring areas, there are also scenic outdoor spots across the island where you can have a relaxing dip while enjoying some outdoor activities.
From the north to the south of Taiwan, here are 14 hot spring spots where you can enjoy the best of nature while enjoying both hot and cold springs!
Outdoor hot spring safety precautions
- Being outdoors, it's always best to stay prepared and keep alert, especially in unfamiliar terrain and waters.
- Prior to your trip, prepare the proper equipment needed and be sure to on the weather
- When at the hot spring area, pay attention to the directions and signs, especially at places where diving is not allowed due to the depth of the water
- If you intend to dive, make sure not to wear absorbent fabrics like jeans, and try to wear swimwear and buoyancy equipment
- If you encounter dark clouds, hear thunder or see lightning in the mountains or notice that the stream has become cloudy, you must leave the water immediately
- If you encounter a sudden rise in streams while in the water, stay calm and immediately look for buoyant objects like logs or branches
Equipment recommendations: Waterproof bag floats, Lifeline, River Shoes, Life Jacket (preparation)
1. Fanfan Creek Hot Spring (Yilan)
Source: IG @wenhsi1995
Fanfan hot spring is located in Datong Township, Yilan County. Because the ground is in the mountains, transportation there is relatively inconvenient. With the water temperature maintained at about 50℃ all year round, Fanfan hot spring maintains a rustic mountain style.
You can enjoy the scenery of the mountains and rivers, listen to the ambient noises of insects and birds, and enjoy the fun of this natural hot spring.
2. Paigu Creek Hot Spring (Yilan)
Source: IG @aoaovillia323
Paigu hot spring is located in Datong Township, Yilan. Because of its secluded location, it's not as famous as the nearby Fanfan hot spring. This neutral sodium bicarbonate spring is quite bubbly and has an average temperature of about 50℃.
Source: IG @aoaovillia323
Because the amount of water in the stream is large and currents are rapid, the temperature of the water in the spring is easily affected. You'll really need some luck to soak in Paigu hot spring.
3. Xiaqigu Creek Hot Spring (Taipei)
Source: IG @jim1426
Xiaqigu hot spring is the only legal and well-known creek hot spring in Yangmingshan Park, and can be easily reached on foot by taking the bus to "Dayoukeng"! A high-concentration sulfur spring, the milky white spring water is also known as a "milk soup" by locals.
The spring is now divided into two sections. The temperature of the upper section is higher as the lower pond is closer to the natural stream.
4. Galahe Creek Hot Spring (Taoyuan)
Source: IG @chou.kou.ning
Galahe creek hot spring is located in Fuxing District, Taoyuan. From the parking lot, you can reach it within an hour by going downhill! The return via uphill is about 2 hours.
This is a weak alkali carbonated spring and during the off-season, the spring water only reaches the ankle. However, there's a unique hot spring waterfall where the Sanguang Creek meets the hot spring.
The location of this hot spring and the conditions in the mountains is different every year, so remember to do your homework before departure.
5. Sileng Hot Springs (Taoyuan)
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Sileng hot spring is located in Sanguang Valley of Taoyuan Fuxing District. The spring stretches for about 30m and the water temperature is about 45 to 65℃ and belongs to the weakly alkaline sodium bicarbonate spring.
Source: IG @inesyeh
To reach the Sileng hot spring, you must pass both a mountaineering and rope test to test your arm strength! However, with beautiful forests along the way and the hot spring and spring waterfall at the end, it's all worth it! If you are a good hiker, this is a good choice!
6. Xiuluan Creek Hot Spring (Hsinchu)
Source: IG @alvin_199112
The Xiuluan creek hot spring is considered to be one of the larger springs amongst the other creek springs in Taiwan.
The source of this spring comes from the taigang creek with clear, colourless and tasteless water with temperatures of about 45℃, the water quality is also weakly acidic.
In the midsummer season, there will be a large body of water in the spring, making it perfect for everyone to enjoy a relaxing dip.
7. Maling Creek Hot Spring (Taichung)
Source: IG @kidosannrou
Maling hot spring is located in Dajiaxi, Heping District, Taichung, which just lies upstream of Guguan hot spring. The quality of the spring is a carbonated spring, and the temperature ranges from about 40 to 71℃.
To reach Maling Hot Spring, you have to cross a river and get through some rocky terrain. Although the journey takes about 2 hours, the beauty of the valley and the thought of relaxing in the spring will definitely make it way easier!
8. Jingying Creek Hot Spring (Nantou)
Source: IG @melodychoupei
Jingying hot spring (Buka mountain hot spring) lies just upstream of Lushan hot spring. Originally a secret location for the local Atayal aboriginals to eliminate their fatigue, it soon became a tourist hotspot due to its fame.
Source: IG @1vachu
On the way to the elite hot spring, you will pass the qingren suspension bridge which boasts some beautiful scenery. The quality of the spring is a weakly alkaline carbonated spring, with water temperatures of about 55 to 75℃.
You will be able to find a large number of hot springs in this area with many pools throughout the stream, and you can visit the jingying waterfall when you go up.
9. Shisan keng Creek Hot Spring (Kaohsiung)
Shisan keng creek hot spring is located in Baolai Creek, Kaohsiung, and is only available when the river is dry. Along the stream, there will be several pools such as seven pits, ten pits, and thirteen pits along the road! The spring got its name because of its location in the thirteenth tributary of Baolai Stream.
Although you must get through some rocky terrain and cross a river to reach Shisan keng hot spring, a spectacular surprise awaits you as a colourful display of crystals usually forms on the wall of the spring, showing colours of yellow, white, green to name a few.
10. Hongye Creek Hot Spring (Taitung)
Source: IG @chickenmansphilosophy
Hongye hot spring is arguably the most accessible hot spring in Taiwan, being just a minute's walk from the parking area! Hongye hot spring is located in Yanping Township, Taitung and the springs here are divided into Hongqiao Hongye and Baiqiao Hongye hot spring according to nearby landmarks.
The water quality of Hongye hot spring is a neutral sodium bicarbonate spring. It has many pools and due to the change in water levels every year, the position of the hot spring pool will also change, attracting many hot spring lovers to dig and play in the water! There is also a hot spring water park nearby for everyone to experience the fun of communal bathing!
11. Lisong Creek Hot Spring (Taitung)
Source: IG @brianlai0810
Lisong creek hot spring is located in the Xinwuluxi tributary canyon at an elevation of 1075m. Located deep in the creeks, the source of this hot spring flows down a 30m rock wall!
Source: IG @tsai.olzb
As the spring water is left along the rock wall, it results in colourful mineral crystals forming, so they are praised as "Taiwan's most beautiful creek hot springs."
Source: IG @im_zoey0731
The water temperature of Lisong hot spring is about 45 to 65℃, and the pH value is about pH7, belonging to a weakly alkaline carbonated spring. The water level of the spring pool will vary according to time, thus it is not advised to visit the spring when it rains.
12. Jinfeng Creek Hot Spring (Taitung)
Source: IG @azrfv520520
Jinfeng Hot Spring is located in Jinfeng Township, Taitung, next to Taimali. An easy 5-minute walk from the parking lot, this amazing hot spring location has a large sandy area near the creek that's perfect for camping!
13. lulu Creek Hot Spring (Taitung)
Source: IG @wilang_adventure
Located upstream of the Dalun River in Taitung County, the lulu hot spring is the most hidden creek hot spring in Taiwan, having to pass through steep rocks and climbing over rapids just to get there!
The source of this spring are outcrops and it can be seen everywhere around the area, with smoke permeating the whole valley. As the water seeps from the rock wall, colourful crystals are formed due to the water's mineral deposits. Together with the milky white calcium carbonated spring water, it makes for a very special experience.
14. Green Island Zhaori Hot Spring (Taitung)
Source: IG @demitzuchang
Zhaori hot spring is located on the southeast coast of Taitung, facing the Pacific Ocean. Its name was derived from the direction of the sunrise and it was also called 'Asahi Onsen' during the Japanese occupation.
Source: IG @shaun12170118
Zhaori hot spring is a sulfur spring and one of the 3 only saltwater hot springs in the world! Its water is non-irritating to human skin and not sticky after washing. The hot spring area has three open-air round baths and indoor hot spring pools, SPA spa facilities, egg cooking area, and a small store.
