It’s wintertime! While the winters in Taiwan are rather mild compared to countries with colder climates, it can get chilly on this island. The cooler winter months are the ideal time for taking a warming hot-spring bath in one of the many hot-spring resort areas around Taiwan and the most convenient of these areas is located within the Taipei City limits, in the Beitou District.
Hot-spring bathing in Beitou
To get there, simply take the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line, which connects the city’s ultra-modern Xinyi District (home to Taipei 101) with the charming port town of Tamsui (great for enjoying beautiful sunsets!). Get off at Beitou Station and transfer to the Xinbeitou Line. This line brings you right in the heart of the Beitou hot-spring area.
Just opposite the station’s exit you can spot the Beitou Park, home to the Beitou Hot-Spring Museum (hotspringmuseum.taipei), the building dating back to the Japanese colonial era, and the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch (a fantastic example of green architecture). Another interesting spot is the Thermal Valley close to the upper end of the park. This is a large rock-walled depression that bubbles and boils.
Beitou Hot-Spring Museum
Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch
Thermal Valley
Around the park and along the lanes and alleys further uphill are numerous hot-spring hotels that make use of the sulfurous hot-spring water that bubbles from the ground in the greater Beitou area. There are numerous places to choose from, but if you want to stay in style, enjoy luxurious facilities, and indulge in fine cuisine, the Grand View Resort Beitou is your best choice!
Grand View Resort Beitou
The comparatively large and modern hotel stands high on a slope looking down in the main Beitou hot-spring area. Opened in 2011, it is Beitou’s only 5-star hotel. The hotel was designed by renowned architect CY Lee and constructed with stone and wood as main building materials. Guestrooms are spacious and elegant. A Superior Room (49sqm; NT$14,000 ＋10%) for example invites you to relax and rest in a cozy space of classic elegance complete with balcony and comfortable hot-spring bathroom. At the higher end, the Grand View Suite (92sqm; NT$35,000＋10%), allows you to indulge in sublime luxury and take in the great views of Beitou from different angles.
Superior Room
Fine cuisine is served at C’est Bon (French cuisine), Chinese Cuisine (traditional Chinese dishes), and Aqua Deck (light dishes), and for your hot-spring pleasures you can, beside taking a bath in your guestroom’s bathroom, also take a dip in the pools of the Public Hots Spring area and the Outdoor Hot Spring area. There are also Independent Private Hot Spring Rooms, for guests who don’t stay at the hotel.
French-style afternoon tea
Private Hot Spring Room
Open-air hot-spring bath area
Pampering awaits at the hotel’s SPA with various treatments available, including Chinese- and European -style massages, aroma therapy, and facial treatments.
Add: No. 30, Youya Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City (台北市北投區幽雅路30號) Tel: (02) 2898-8888 Website: www.gvrb.com.tw Shuttle bus service available from/to MRT Xinbeitou Station
