Small-Group: Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei

Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, then head off to Yangmingshan National Park. Yangmingshan National Park is located in the north of Taipei City, spanning Beitou District and 6 other districts in Taipei Metro Area. As the world’s first Urban Quiet Park certified by Quiet Park International, the park is known for the gorgeous flora and abundant geological features, including the fumaroles, lava terrains, craters, hot springs, etc, offering close-up views of the rocks and landforms.

The first stop is Qingtiangang, a vast lava terrace formed when the lava flowed north after the eruption. The terrace was once a ranch for water buffaloes grazing during Japanese colonization; even today you can still see the naturally bred water buffaloes there.

The second stop is Lengshuikeng (literally “cold water pit”), a barrier lake formed by the volcanic lava flowing down from the mountain. The hot spring water is colder than the other areas (around 40 degrees Celsius), hence the name. You will enjoy a rejuvenating hot spring foot bath to relieve the tension and stiffness in your legs.

After that, you will visit the most popular attraction in Yangmingshan National Park —Xiaoyoukeng (literally “little oil pit”), a post-volcanic geological landscape area. The scenic trail around Xiaoyoukeng offers close-up views of the pit from different angles, where you can see and smell the steam coming out of the cracks, and the sulfur crystals around the fumaroles, as if you can feel the breath of a dormant volcano.

Home to Yangmingshan’s calla lily and hydrangea, Zhuzihu is a farming area hidden away in the mountains. It was originally a lava-dammed lake created by volcanic eruptions; the geological factors and fertile soil making Zhuzihu a suitable place for farming. Besides the seasonal flowers, Zhuzihu is also well-known for the mountain vegetable cuisine. Since you are here in Zhuzihu, don’t miss the chance to try the local specialties.

Geothermal Valley, the next stop on your Yangmingshan day trip, is not far away from Beitou Hot Spring Museum. This place is also called “Hell Valley” or “Ghost Lake”, because of the sulfuric steam fog that it emits caused by the high temperature. It is also one of the heat sources of sulfur spring that supply the hot springs located in its vicinity.

The next stop on your Yangmingshan tour package is Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which was built during the Japanese colonization. The two-storey Tudor-style building of the museum has a brick and wood façade, and black tile roof. The first level has a small bath and a large bath, where you can see the baths up close as you walk along the arcade. Additionally, the display of “sento” simulates the facilities of a traditional public bath, where you can have an understanding of how the communal bathhouse worked in the past. The second level consists of a huge Tatami lobby and a balcony with a special exhibition area where the early Taiwanese film documents are displayed. This is a good place to learn about Beitou’s rich hot spring culture and history.

Your last stop is Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, also known as Beitou Library. Located in Beitou Park and near Beitou Hot Spring Museum, because of its sustainable design, this beautiful library was selected by the famous travel website “When on Earth” as one of the 10 Coolest Examples of green buildings. The New York City–based online culture magazine “Flavorwire” also recognized it as one of The 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World. The unique appearance of Beitou Library also makes it a popular attraction for photography. So pull your phone or camera out of your bag, capture the view and make your travel memory tangible.

After your Beitou District and Yangmingshan National Park tour, you may choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market, considered Taiwan’s most famous night market. There, you can eat tasty street foods to your heart’s content. Or, you may choose to disembark at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station after the tour.