Beitou（北投）is northernmost district of Taipei City and is the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of Taipei’s crowded business districts. Recognized for its hot springs, historical sites, and lush green environment, Beitou was named one of the top 10 small tourist towns by the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau in 2012.
The name Beitou originates from the Ketagalan aborigine word for the area, Kipatauw (“home of witches”), as many of the local rivers and ponds emit an eerie steam due to geothermal warming of the hot springs. During the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945), the area was developed into a hot springs resort.
In the early days, Beitou was a renowned red light district where men would go to soak in the hot springs and later feast on delicious cuisine while being entertained by beautiful young female performers. The Taiwanese government began to clean up the area in the late 1980s, and today it is one Taiwan’s major tourist attractions with numerous well preserved architectural treasures dating back over 100 years as well as one of the highest concentrations of hot springs in the world.
Getting to Xin Beitou (New Beitou) – just 30 minutes from Taipei Main Station!
From Taipei Main Station (台北車站), get on the MRT Red Line heading towards Tamsui. You will need to change trains at MRT Beitou Station to the Pink Line, which travels one stop to MRT Xin Beitou Station. This will involved going down one flight of stairs and up another to change platforms. The final leg of the journey is on a remodeled train car complete with large theater screens introducing the area, as well as computerized tables in the shape of hot tub barrels that provide information on everything from sights to dining to hot springs.
Coming out of MRT Xin Beitou Station, you will see the long narrow Beitou Park (北投公園, MAP#5）across the street. The entrance to the park is marked by a water fountain that performs fountain shows on the hour every hour during the day. Inside the park you will find a number of pleasant trails, streams, as well as popular sites such as the Beitou Library and Beitou Hot Springs Museum discussed below.
