Beitou, Taiwan (part 2)

The main highlight of this Beitou day trip (January 16, 2025) was the green sulfur hot spring in Geothermal Valley. From the Beitou Hot Spring museum keep walking straight along the Beitou stream walk way. 

There is a bit of an incline until you reach this hotel which will be at your left side. We were using Google maps on our phone to guide us because there were no signs, or maybe we missed it. You cross the road and there will be a few shops on your left. The strong scent of sulfur hits you as you look up to see faint white sulfur steam hovering over the trees.

The Thermal Valley occupies an area of about 3,500 square meters and it's a deep valley created before the eruption of a volcano. The water temperature of the hot spring is over 90 degrees Celsius.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Free entrance.

The hot water comes from deep inside the volcano and is acidified by the infiltration of volcanic gas and mixed with water when it pours out of the surface.

Popularly known as "Jade Sulfur Springs" due to its green color. It contains large amount of sulfate and trace amounts of a radioactive substance called Radium.

After long period of precipitation, the crystallized surface of rocks along the Beitou river bed became the only rare mineral in the world to be named after a place in Taiwan, known as Beitou Stone. Green sulfur hot springs is also present in the Tamagawa onsen in Akita, Japan.

The design of this hand washing bowl is inspired by the shape of Taiwan and its different mountain ranges.

The spring water can strengthen your immunity, heal and beautify your skin and is good for your muscles and bones.

According to legends, when the indigenous Plains Aborigines discovered Thermal Valley, they believed that the area was haunted by ghosts and demons so they prayed to the Witch to protect the area with her magical powers.

She turned the mountain mists and smoke into a protective boundary and the water into a healing spring thus endowing the Thermal Valley with her blessings.

Soak your hands into this hot spring bowl but be warned it is really hot. Quite refreshing and relaxing since it was winter time. 

We stayed for about an hour then made our way uphill to the Puji Temple. One of the well preserved Buddhist temples in Taiwan, dating back to the Japanese era.

In 1905, the Railway department employees raised funds to construct a shrine dedicated to the statue of  the Goddess of Hot Springs, Kannon or "Guanyin of Hot Springs". 

Construction of the temple was completed in January 1916 and served mainly as the place of worship of the Railway department employees in Beitou.

After World War II, the temple was renamed "Lingquan Mountain Puji Temple".

In 1998, it was listed as a historical monument. 

In 2000, it was renovated and restored after it suffered damage from the September 1999 earthquake and heavy rains.

It is open from 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M

Entrance is free but there is an uphill climb of small steps to reach this serene place of worship nestled among a forested area with a stunning overlooking view of Beitou.

Beitou, Taiwan (part 1)

The first time we visited Taiwan in July 2024, I wanted to visit Beitou. Located in northern Taipei, it is a mountainous area known for its hot springs and natural wide open spaces. 

It was literally too hot to explore so when we returned to Taiwan during the winter, I made sure it was part of our itinerary.

January 16, 2025 from our hotel in the Daan district, we took the Tamsui-Xinyi (red) MRT line to Beitou Station. 10 stops and 40 minutes later, we transferred to the 2 stop pink line train to get to the Xinbeitou station.

This train ride was about 10 minutes long, moved at a slower pace as it climbed its way up to the base of the Yangmingshan mountain. Its interior panels had earthly tones and some of the seats were wooden and set in a strange configuration. 

The ride had an eerie vibe that felt like you are being transported to some parallel universe back to a forgotten era in the distant past.

When you step out of the train, the strong scent of sulfur hits your nosetrils The odor is not pungent but it lingers until eventually you get used to the smell as you begin your exploration of this charming and quaint mountainous town. 

The Xinbeitou historic train station was built in 1916 during the Japanese colonial period. The railway was constructed to promote the rapidly developing hot springs industry in the area. It was built with wood, featuring carved eaves and unique 3+1 dormers (the circular wooden windows located on the roof).
In 1988, the Tamsui railway line was abolished due to the construction of the Taipei MRT so the station was moved to Changhua county located just south of Taichung.

After various obstacles, the Xinbeitou Station was donated back to the Taipei City Government Department of Cultural affairs. In 2017, after some renovations, the oldest train station in Taipei was re-opened to the public.

It has transformed from a transportation hub into a cultural center for the Beitou community. Its exhibits displaying images and photographs as well as documents, poems and diaries to showcase the fond memories, people have of the beloved railway station.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.  Entrance is free.

Blue sulfur springs contain the rare element Radium. You can soak your hands even entire arms in these hot spring hand soaking pools. Water is really hot but therapeutic

Throughout Beitou, everything is within walking distance. The Beitou stream is visible and you can actually see the steam vapor emanating from the river so imagine how hot the water must be.

When the Japanese occupied northern Taiwan, they discovered hot springs and geothermal resources so people began to enjoy open air hot baths in the Hokuto stream (Beitou Stream) which originates from the hot springs of the geothermal valley.

"Taki" is a Japanese term for a waterfall descending along a multilevel riverbed. There are 5 taki in the Beitou Stream.

Numerous hot spring hotels abound on both sides of the main street. You can take your pick for staycation or spend several days just soaking in the natural and therapeutic hot springs.

Most of them offer packages that include accommodation with or without breakfast + hot spring/spa treatment with different rates.

Ketagalan culture center. Ketagalan are the  Taiwanese aboriginal people who originated from the Taiwan basin and now live in northern Taiwan

Beitou public library is Taiwan's first green library. Built of wood and steel, it has solar panels on its roof, eco friendly wooden balcony railings and its sloping roof drainage
system collects rainwater to water the plants and flush the toilets.

The Beitou Hot Spring Musuem is over 2,300 sqm and has two floors. To preserve this valuable cultural monument, you have to change your shoes into indoor slippers which are provided in the entrance. 

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 P.M. 

Entrance fee: NTD 120 and 50 NTD for seniors and students.

It is now designated as a city monument so it does not provide bathing services. 

Formerly known as Beitou Public Bathhouse (Hokuto Public Bathhouse), it was the largest public bath in East Asia at that time.

The first floor consisted of the bathing area while a resting area occupied the second floor. 

Usually after bathing and changing clothes, the visitors would proceed to the second floor's tatami lobby to rest, have tea or a  meal, play chess or walk to the balcony for a scenic view of the Beitou Stream.

The Beitou Stream is home to the rare mineral Hokutolite which is formed as the green sulfur hot springs from Hell Valley and the waterfalls or "taki" descend into the thermal valley - the main source of the Beitou Sream.

It takes about 120 years for a single centimeter of Hokulite to crystallize so it is fairly rare.

A piece of Hokulite weighing 800 kgs is the most precious collection in the Beitou Hot Springs Museum.

 

Among more than 4,000 minerals in the world, the only toponym named after a Taiwanese place is Hokutolite and is considered a Beitou Stream treasure because it takes a long time to form and is endowed with special properties.

Antipolo 2025

Original plan was to go to Antipolo on our 17th wedding anniversary (yes, we celebrated it pa rin despite the 'setback') last May 15, 2025.  But work beckoned so we postponed it to Sunday.

Our itinerary:
Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, a traditional May pilgrimage.
Lunch at Tipulo: Modern Filipino Restaurant.
Visit the Pinto Art Museum and Arboretum, our first time!
Tyvo overlooking restaurant/viewing deck to watch the sun set.

P.S.
Yes, I bought extra set of clothes because I'm a sweaty animal! The amount of perspiration I shed is equivalent to an entire human being. Phew it was warm and very humid but the memory is priceless.

The Antipolo Cathedral was declared an international shrine in March 2023

11 AM mass 

Antipolo city hall annex extension

Lunch at Tipulo Restaurant: Bulalo, tinapa rolls, pinakbet with bagnet, pitcher of iced tea

Antipolo got its name from the Tipulo tree which sadly is now endemic

The Pinto art museum and arboretum is located at 1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Subdivision, Antipolo. The 1.5 hectare art complex is enclosed within a 2 hectare botanical garden sprinkled with stunning visual artworks. Interspersed are several galleries exhibiting paintings, sculptures, art installations of various shapes, forms and styles. 

It is a vast art space with stairs to climb up or down to enter the galleries. You also weave through gardens with lush foliage and ponds. There are coffee shops to dine al fresco style if you get tired from exploring and want to recoup your energy. A shop to avail of some souvenirs of your Pinto art museum visit.

Make sure to wear comfy shoes and clothes as you will be outdoors. Take note, the galleries are not airconditioned. 

Entrance fee is 250 pesos for adults, 200 for seniors/PWDs and 125 for students.

Open from Tuesdays - Sundays 10 A.M to 6 P.M.

Parking slots in front of the museum are limited but since it is a private subdivision, you can park along the sloping streets.

Further down from the Pinto Art Museum is the Tyvo Overlooking restaurant. You can either dine at their restaurant or simply go to the second floor to their viewing deck with a short hanging bridge to admire the sunset and the view of the metropolis.