Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei
Overview
Explore the volcanic landforms and relaxing hot springs of Beitou and Yangmingshan on this 1-day tour! You'll learn about the history and development of hot springs in Taiwan and enjoy a relaxing hot spring foot bath.
Highlights
- Visit the world's first Urban Quiet Park, certified by Los Angeles-based Quiet Park International
- Explore the wonders of the Tatun Volcano Group
- Enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating hot spring foot bath
- Perfect for groups or solo travelers — just 1 guest required for guaranteed departure
- Live commentary in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese
Key Information
Important Information
• The tour will be conducted in both English and Japanese; your guide will provide live commentary. Your guide can also speak Mandarin Chinese • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult • As Yangmingshan National Park has plenty of narrow passageways and steep stairs, this tour is not recommended for guests using wheelchairs and people with physical disabilities • Guests are advised not to allow babies or young toddlers to bathe in the hot springs, due to the high temperature and mineral content • The tour may need to be cancelled due to inclement weather or natural disasters. If this is the case, we will contact you by SMS or email no later than the evening before the tour to refund or reschedule • The duration and sequence of the tour, as well as the length of time spent in each area, may vary depending on traffic, the weather, and other conditions • Please be at the pick-up point on time; the tour may proceed without you if you are late • Each guest is allowed to bring one piece of carry-on baggage onboard the vehicle Yangmingshuwu is not open to public during Jan 21 (Lunar New Year 2023), therefore the visiting time at the other attractions will be prolonged.
Description
The tour begins at 08:00. After meeting your guide and driver at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07) Exit 2, you'll take a 30–40-minute ride to Yangmingshan National Park! On the way, you'll stop at Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch. Located in Beitou Park near Beitou Hot Spring Museum, this beautiful public library was selected by travel website When On Earth as one of its 10 coolest examples of "Green Buildings," and the online culture magazine Flavorwire as one of the 25 most beautiful public libraries in the world. Beitou Hot Spring Museum was built during the Japanese colonial era. The Tudor-style building has a brick and wood facade and black tile roofing. The ground floor contains a small and a large bath, with a piece of Hokutolite Stone weighing 800kg displayed at a corner. The second floor features a huge tatami lobby and a balcony with a special exhibition area displaying early Taiwanese film documents. It's an excellent place to learn about Beitou's rich hot spring culture and history. Geothermal Valley, which is one of the area's sources for hot spring water, is not far from the library. Because of the high temperature, the sulfuric steam fog rises from the pool’s surface, giving it the popular nicknames "Hell Valley" and "Ghost Lake." The next stop is Yangmingshan Flower Clock, the centerpiece of the Yangmingshan National Park. The flowers change depending on the season, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of blooms across the year. The nearby Yangming Shu-Wu Mansion, also known as Zhongxing Guesthouse, is the summer residence of the late Taiwanese president Chiang Kai-shek, and a reception venue for important foreign guests. Today, the mansion is a significant site for both Taiwan’s history and its natural environment. Next, Zhuzihu is a farming area hidden away in the mountains, and also the home to Yangmingshan's calla lilies and hydrangeas. Originally a lava dammed lake created by the surrounding volcanoes, the area's unique geology became suitable for farming. Besides the seasonal flowers, Zhuzihu is also well-known for the mountain vegetable cuisine. Don’t miss the chance to try the local treats there! After lunch you'll visit Yangmingshan's most popular spot – Xiaoyoukeng (literally "the little oil pit"). Feel the power of a dormant volcano and see steam leaking from the earth in a volcanic landscape. Then you'll visit Qingtiangang, a lava terrace formed from northern lava flows. The terrace was once a ranch for grazing water buffalo during the Japanese Colonial Period. Even today, you can find water buffalo in the area. The final stop is Lengshuikeng (literally “the cold water pit”), a barrier lake formed by lava flowing down the mountain. The hot spring water is colder than the other areas’ (around 40°C). This lent the area its name. At the end of the tour, you'll enjoy a hot spring foot bath to soothe your feet and relieve muscle tension. After the tour you may choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market and enjoy the local street foods, or drop off at the MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.
How it works
Please meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14/O07), Exit 2. After the tour, you can choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.