In my travels, I’ve always been attracted to hot springs, going all the way back to family trips in the Rocky Mountains of Canada as a kid.
This post was written by Robert Schrader of Japan Starts Here. Most travelers dream of visiting Japan amid the sakura of spring or the blazing colors of autumn, yet where to go in Japan in winter is not a topic that comes up often. In addition to being one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons, however, …
Of the many appealing hot springs in Taiwan (here are my 20 favorites), Guanziling Hot Spring is one of the most unique. Due to the clay soil in the area, the thermal hot spring water seeps out of the ground with a high concentration of silt, making it muddy in appearance, earning it the name …
Of the many hot spring villages in Taiwan, laid-back Tai’an Hot Spring (泰安溫泉) is one of our favorites. Located in the hills of Miaoli, a Central Taiwanese county known for slow-living, Hakka culture, and off-the-beaten-track attractions like these, Tai’an has a remote, natural vibe yet is easy enough to get to by car. Sure, you …
The island of Taiwan sits on a collision zone between two tectonic plates. As a result, it has one of the highest concentrations of thermal hot springs in the world. There are at least 100 major hot springs in Taiwan and many smaller ones! While Taiwanese aboriginals had been aware of the springs, it was …
Read moreThe 20 Best Hot Springs in Taiwan for a Blissful Winter Soak
The Beitou Hot Spring (or Xinbeitou Hot Spring) area is my favorite neighborhood in Taipei City, and I’ve probably been there over 20 times. In fact, my wife and I went on our first date there after we met in Taipei in 2009! And while hot springs are the focus, meaning you’ll definitely want to …
Read moreBeitou Hot Spring & Thermal Valley: A Detailed 2021 Guide
Wulai (烏來, Tayal language: Ulay) is the largest district of New Taipei City, but only has around 6000 residents, by far the lowest population density. Officially the only “mountain indigenous district” of New Taipei City, it is home to the closest aboriginal Taiwanese village to Taipei City. Wulai has loads going for it. Thermal water …
Jiaoxi Hot Spring (礁溪溫泉, also spelled Jiaosi Hot Spring) is my favorite Taiwan’s many amazing hot springs. Jiaoxi is a rural township at the north end of Yilan County in Northeastern Taiwan, making it one of the best day trips from Taipei. My friends/family and I have been to Jiaoxi as day and overnight trips …
One of Taiwan’s hidden gems is Taroko Gorge‘s Wenshan Hot Spring (文山溫泉, also sometimes spelled Wunshan Hot Spring or Taroko National Park Hot Springs), located in Xiulin township of visually stunning Hualien County. The awe-inspiring scenery, hidden location within a famous national park, and relative inaccessibility of this Hualien hot spring make it, in my …
Read moreWenshan Hot Spring: Taroko Gorge’s Spectacular Secret
Simply put, we loved Budapest. It was our favorite big city out of the two months we spent in Central Europe, and we enjoyed it more than the three days we spent in Prague the week before (sorry Prague)! Just like Prague, there are loads of things to do in Budapest with kids, but for …
Read moreBudapest with Kids: An Unforgettable 3-Day Winter Visit
Taichung is located on the central west coast and is Taiwan’s second largest city. Most travelers used to give it a miss, but nowadays it is an increasingly popular stop on people’s Taiwan travel itinerary. While I was compiling my list of top things to do in Taichung, my article quickly became WAY too long. …
