Long before modern spas became the by-word for luxury and indulgence the world over, there were hot springs: nature’s very own therapy for rejuvenating one’s body and spirit. Often referred to as the hot tears of mother earth, hot springs have been known for their therapeutic properties since ancient times. Even in today’s world of push button convenience they continue to attract those who seek out the pure and unadulterated gift of health that these natural resources bestow.
Taiwan is blessed with some of the finest and most diverse hot springs in the world including cold springs, mud springs, and seabed hot springs. In fact, the island nation has the highest concentration and greatest variety of hot springs on the planet. So it is no surprise that it is ranked amongst the world's top 15 hot spring sites. Hot springs are formed when natural waters emerge from the bowels of the earth. Rich in natural minerals and salts, they possess therapeutic properties that beside from having a positive effect on one’s body are the ideal cure for disorders of the nervous and digestive systems, the circulation, and other organs. The specific properties of hot springs vary, depending on their chemical composition, mineral concentration and water temperature. People have used hot springs to keep in good health for ages.
Since Taiwan is located in the Circum-Pacific seismic zone, on the fault line where the Euro-Asian and Philippines continental plates meet, subterranean heat is spread across the island producing hot springs, right across the islands. With the exception of three counties, almost every city and county in Taiwan is within striking distance of hot springs. No wonder Taiwan is also called "the Hot Spring Kingdom". In fact there are more than one hundred hot springs in Taiwan and they are located in different geological areas across the island nation including plains, mountains, valleys, and even the oceans. The highest concentration of hot springs can be found in northern Taiwan, where the Tatun Volcano is located. This area accounts for more than 80% of all hot springs in Taiwan.
The fact that hot springs hopping is such a popular pastime in Taiwan means that there are a number of operators who offer different packages to these locations that are in many ways quasi health resorts. Below we highlight a few of the more popular hot springs that dot the island. Take Beitou, for instance, often referred to as "the hot springs village," is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Shamao, Datun and Qixing. The place is enveloped in a sulphurous mist all year round and is bestowed with abundant mineral resources. The hot springs are spread over a large area and cover 10 locations such as Diregu, Longfeng, Fenghuang, Hushan Village and Xingyi Road. The major hot spring spas are located on Zhongshan Road, Guangming Road, Xinming Road and Quanyuan Road. Here one can check into Beitou Hot Spring Park which has a number of hotels. One can choose to have a dip in public pools, individual pools or pools located in hotel spas. The sulphur springs are the main feature of Beitou and they can be white, green or iron sulphur. The temperatures of the springs range from 55 to 58 degrees Celsius.
Dongpur is a Bunun aborigine village that is not only close to Yushan peak but also a major gateway to the Yushan National Park. The village is best known for its hot springs, which emerge at a temperature of 48 degrees Celsius from the flank of Mt. Wangxiang. The bicarbonate water here is transparent and pure, and is said to be good for alleviating many illnesses. And while in Dongpur, one can take in the natural beauty of the mountainous region as well as visit popular tourist locations like Rainbow Waterfall and the Alishan Forest Recreation Area that has a number of places that one can visit: Sisters Pond, Shouzhen Temple, the Alishan Sacred Tree, Ciyun Temple and Three-Generations Trees. One can also go on a mountain trek through the Tatajia Recreation Area in Yushan National Park.
Indeed, Central Taiwan is blessed with striking mountains and lakes as well as a rich collection of hot springs. Aside from Dongpur, the best known of these are at Lushan, Guguan and Wanda. Lushan hot springs, for instance, are washed with bicarbonate water which is clear, transparent, and odourless. It also has a number of hotels, including one where visitors can boil eggs in a natural hot spring. Guguan hot springs in Bo-ai Village, Heping Township were first developed during the Japanese occupation (1895-1945). And while in Guguan, visitors can drop in at the nearby Dragon Valley Nature Park or trek up to the summit of Mt. Polujia and Jiabaotai. Other hot springs in Eastern Taiwan include those in Hongye, Zhiben, Wulu, and Green Island in Taitung County and those of Antong, Ruisui, and Hongye in Hualien County. The main feature of these springs is that they produce bicarbonate water that is clear and odourless, and emerges from the ground at a temperature of 47 degrees Celsius.
Besides soaking in the soothing waters, visitors can explore the Chinan Forest Recreation Area which offers dense woods, beautiful mountain vistas and a memorial pavilion that overlooks the scenic Carp Lake. Or stop by at Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area which is draped with camphor trees, butterflies, waterfalls… and yes, hot springs too.
And this is only a small sampling of the many hot springs that punctuate Taiwan and make it one of the most fascinating natural health resort destinations in the world.
Taiwan Dreaming
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, an island country off the southern coast of Mainland China that is determined to look to the future; a place that means business and is happy to do business with the rest of the world. The capital of a country that boasts one of the strongest economies in Asia, good infrastructure, and no serious crime, Taipei is an upwardly mobile and modern city.
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