Just a short ride from central Taipei, Beitou is a neighbourhood built around steaming hot springs. Its history stretches back to Japanese rule, with elegant bathhouses, wooden ryokan, and even a thermal valley where sulphurous steam rises straight from the earth. Today, Beitou blends tradition with modern spa hotels, offering everything from rustic public baths to private luxury pools. The Hot Springs Museum, housed in a former bathhouse, tells the story of the town’s past, while leafy parks and tea houses add calm between soaks. Beitou feels both accessible and atmospheric — a place where city life gives way to the timeless ritual of bathing.

On Taiwan’s northeast coast, Jiaoxi is famed for hot springs that bubble up in hotels, parks, and even footbath corners along the streets. The waters are gentle and clear, perfect after exploring nearby waterfalls or cycling the coastal roads. Local delicacies — from green onion pancakes to spring-water poached eggs — tie food into the bathing experience. Jiaoxi feels welcoming and easy-going, a town where hot springs are simply part of everyday rhythm.

Taroko Gorge is Taiwan’s most dramatic landscape, a marble canyon where turquoise rivers cut between soaring cliffs. Trails wind past shrines, tunnels, and suspension bridges, offering endless views of rock, water, and forest. Bathing comes in the form of natural riverside pools and mountain hot springs, often reached by short hikes. The gorge blends raw spectacle with moments of calm, a place where nature itself feels like a temple.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, Taitung carries a slower rhythm — coastal hot springs, surf beaches, and indigenous culture shaping its identity. Outdoor baths overlook the sea, while inland valleys brim with rice paddies and forests. The city hosts festivals of music and balloons, while the coast reveals hidden coves and island ferries. Taitung is restorative and authentic, a meeting point of ocean horizons and mountain traditions.