Highlights:
- More than 10 attractions and most of them are free.
- Experience a public hot spring bath for a very cheap fee.
- This itinerary can change into a half-day trip, which perfectly matches with Tamsui half-day trip.
Beitou is located in the northernmost of Taipei City, famous for its natural hot springs from volcanoes in Yangmingshan National Park. Historically, Japan planned this area as a high-class resort for Japanese officials and the military.
Traveling from Taipei city center to Beitou is very convenient. You just take the red line MRT to Beitou station (R22). Then, transfer to the tourist MRT to Xinbeitou Station (R22A) – exit 1. It takes about 30 minutes from Taipei Main Station.
Beitou is a large area. So, you can arrange a whole day to learn about its development history, take a hot spring bath, and enjoy Japanese food. However, if you have little time, you can visit the main tourist attractions in the morning and combine to Tamshui to walk around Tamshui old town, enjoy street food, and watch the sunset at Tamshui seaside park.
Half-day schedule (8:30 – 12:00)
If you are limited time, you can visit only the main attractions in Beitou, including:
-
- Xinbeitou Ancient Train Station
- Beitou Park – Ketagalan Cultural Museum – Taipei Library Beitou Branch
- Beitou Hot Spring Museum
- Beitou Plum Garden
- Public hot spring bathing area
Suggested One-day trip plan in Beitou
Visiting Time: From 8:30 to 18:30, Tuesday to Sunday. (Avoid going on Mondays, as some attractions are closed.)
This plan will lead you from the Xinbeitou MRT Station to the whole area.
1) Xinbeitou Ancient Train Station (新北投車站) – 8:30
Estimated visiting time: 20-30 minutes.
The old wood train station accompanied the development of Taipei city for more than 100 years. You can visit it immediately when getting out of Xinbeitou MRT Station (Exit 1). In front of the old station is a stone tub for you to experience soaking your hands in mineral spring water.
Around the MRT station area, there are many Japanese, Taiwanese, and fast-food restaurants for you to have breakfast or lunch.
2) Beitou Park – Ketagalan Cultural Museum – Taipei Library Beitou Branch – 9:00
Estimated visiting time: 1-1.5 hours.
You should visit the Ketagalan Cultural Museum (凱達格蘭文物館) and the Library (北投圖書館) after 9:00 AM. The museum presents the culture and art of the Taiwan indigenous peoples, and Taipei Library is one of the green buildings to receive international awards.
The Library is built of wood, located in the park, and has a lot of books to read for free. When you go inside, you should keep quiet. However, you can go to the balcony to take some check-in photos.
3) Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館 / Beitou Hot Spring Museum) – 10:30
Estimated visiting time: 30-45 minutes
From the Library, you just need to walk a few steps on Zhongshan Road to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum. Right at the entrance, volunteers will help you change slippers. The upper area displays Beitou and the culture of hot spring bathing. The downstairs is the bath area, preserved as they were built in the old days. The museum combines AR technology for you to take pictures. With a combination of red brick and brown wood, the outside of the building is a trendy photo check-in point.
Near the Beitou Hot Spring Museum are the public hot springs (Beitou Public Hotspring) and the Long Nice Hot Spring hotel, the oldest hot spring bath service. You can consider bathing as you pass or go sightseeing on this schedule and bathing later in the afternoon.
4) Beitou Plum Garden (北投梅庭) – 11:15
Estimated visiting time: 20 – 40 minutes
Inside the house of the Plum Garden presents the story about calligrapher Yu Youren. Domestic tourists come here to see the calligrapher’s work and see the ancient house architecture.
Opening time: 10:00 – 18:00, from Tuesday to Sunday. (Closed on Mondays).
5) Geothermal Valley (北投地熱谷) – 12:15
Estimated visiting time: 30-40 minutes
Before entering Geothermal Valley, you can visit a convenience store or a local restaurant for lunch. The food price in this area is relatively high, ranging from 150-300 NT/dish.
You have to walk along Zhongshan Road into the valley. Inside is a preserved hot spring area. The temperature here is very high, and the smoke from the hot stream is wonderful.
6) Puji Temple (普濟寺) – 13:00
Estimated visiting time: 20-30 minutes
From Thermal Valley, climb a slope along Wenquan Road for about 400 meters. The temple was built on a mountain in the Japanese style. Here is one of the most tranquil and peaceful spaces in Taipei City.
Opening time: 9:00 – 17:00.
7) Beitou Museum (北投文物館) – 13:45
Estimated visiting time: 30 – 45 minutes
Beitou Museum is located on the mountain. You can walk or take Shuttle bus S25 at a bus stop (Yinguang Ln. Entrance) near Puji temple. Then, get off at a bus stop (Beitou Museum) and go backward to enter the museum.
Beitou Mesuem’s fee is 120 NT/person for adults, and if you bring a student card, the fare is only 50 NT. A dining area serves high-end Japanese food and sells souvenirs inside the main building.
In the past, the museum was a luxury hotel for Japanese officials, built in 1921. Next to the museum is another high-class Japanese restaurant named Marshal Zen Garden. You can visit the Japanese garden outside the restaurant, which charges 150 NT/ticket.
Opening time: 10:00 – 18:00, from Tuesday to Sunday. (Closed on Mondays.)
8) Sulfur Valley Recreation Area (硫磺谷) – 14:45
Estimated visiting time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Sulfur Valley Recreation Area or Liuhuanggu Geothermal Scenic Area is a lovely tourist spot worth visiting, but few foreigners know about. From Beitou Museum, you can walk about 1 km to the recreation area.
However, the fastest way is to walk from the Beitou Museum about 500 meters and get on bus number S7, S9, or S26 at Quanyuan Bieshu stop and get off at Mituo Temple (Sulfur Valley) stop.
Sulfur Valley Recreation Area belongs to Yang Ming Shan National Park. You have to walk about 20-30 minutes from the main gate to the scenic park inside. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, you can experience a free foot bath service here.
9) Beitou Heart Village (北投中心新村) – 17:15
Estimated visiting time: 30-45 minutes
Beitou Heart Village is a historical and cultural site with many beautiful angles to take pictures. To get here, you can take bus S9 (25 minutes/trip) in front of the Sulfur Valley Recreation Area and get off at the Taipei Municipal Xin Min Junior High School stop. Then, walk about 50 meters into Beitou Heart Village.
Opening time: 10:00 – 18:00, from Tuesday to Sunday. (Closed on Mondays)
10) Public Hot Spring Bath (親水公園露天溫泉 / Beitou Public Hot Spring) – 17:45
Estimated visiting time: 20 – 40 minutes
The public hot spring bath can be reached from Beitou Heart Village by walking past Tri-Service General Hospital Beitou Branch. In front of the hospital, a small alley (Lane 10, Zhongxin street) leads you back to Zhongshan Road. The Public Hot Spring is on the right side of the path.
You need to wear a swimsuit (suit + hat) when bathing. You can buy a swimsuit at the gate and use your Easy Card to pay the entrance fee. Adults are charged 60 NT/person, but students get a 50% discount (only 30 NT/person). You can change your clothes and leave your things in a locker, but there is a fee of NT$20 per opening.
The highest bathing pool is the hottest. Each bath should not exceed 15 minutes, and you should drink plenty of water before and after bathing.
Opening time: Hot spring bathing service is divided by time frame, 2 hour/each (5:30, 8:00, 10:30, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30). There will be a 30-minute break in between.
In addition, you can book hot spring bath services at the old hotel Long Nice (瀧乃湯浴室). The service is kept in the old traditional style and separates the Male – Female area. Bathing costs 150 NT/person. Long Nice also opens from 6:30 to 11:00, 12:00 to 17:00, and 18:00 to 21:00. However, you must register before 10:00, 16:00, and 20:00.
Travel tips:
- If you just want to take a hot spring bath, you can come here anytime, from 6:00 to 21:00. Many private services around Beitou Area often offer spa and dining packages. You should ask for prices and regulations before paying and using the services.
- Most restaurants are mainly located near Xinbeitou MRT station. Prices in this area are pretty high, and you can buy some takeaway food from restaurants near the MRT station or at a convenience store in front of Geothermal Valley.
- You should wear comfortable shoes and clothing. It is preferable to wear long pants because this area is mountainous and there are many small insects (very itchy).
- Taiwanese people bathe in hot springs the most at noon and afternoon. Each bath is only 10-15 minutes. You need to drink water before and after bathing.
