Itinerary > Grand View Resort Beitou / Hot Springs / Lunch > Beitou Museum > Xinbeitou Attractions
After alighting at the Xinbeitou MRT Station, which is just one stop from the Beitou MRT Station, we walked out towards the entrance and just followed to signs.
These were the sights that we saw while on the way to the Thermal Valley and to DramaQueen's ramen (recommended by the information counter at the Beitou MRT Station, and is apparently quite famous). Just follow the signs and you won't get lost. There is a lot of walk though and the road got steeper the further we walked up to the Thermal Valley (a whole 850 meters), but it was good exercise.
The first attraction we came across was the Beitou Park, which had a water fountain display that activated in the evening.
Nearby is the Ketagalan Cultural Center showcases the traditional costumes, history and culture of the various indigenous tribes of Taiwan. It also has an art gallery, international conference room and classroom areas serving various functions. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday (0900 - 1700) and admission is free. We managed to enter the center just before 5pm, which gave us about 30 minutes to explore the first two levels.
Our next stop was the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, which is a "green" library. It has balcony coverings and perpendicular wood window latticing reduce the entry of thermal radiation into the interior of the building, which lowers energy consumption and enhances energy-saving efficiency. Rain water is collected and used to water plants and flush toilets, further emphasizing the "greenness" of the library. The library is truly the epitome of Eco-friendliness and is an interesting piece of architecture.
The Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) is Taiwan’s first public bath house and was built by the Japanese in 1913. It was the biggest hot spring bath house in East Asia at the time. The entire building resembles an English country house. It has display historical relics and documents of sulfur mining etc... Admission is free. Before entering the museum, patrons are required to change in to slippers provided by the museum to prevent scratches or damages to the museum’s delicate wooden floor.
One of the main attractions of (Xin)Beitou is the hot springs. The area of (Xin)Beitou is literally peppered with hot spring hotels and such. As we walked up towards the Thermal Valley there were hotels offering the hot spring experience at almost every turn and corner.
If you are on a tight budget or just want to have an cheap(er) experience of the hot springs, you can try the Millennium Hot Spring, an outdoor public hot spring located at 6 Zhongshan Road for NT$40.
Things to note:
Unfortunately for us this natural wonder, was closed by the time we reached it at about 5.30 in the evening. The valley is named after the sulfurous gases and scalding hot springs, and also known as Hell's Valley. So it was off to the famous ramen store next door.
This ramen store was recommended by the information counter at the Beitou MRT Station. And the recommendation was good and there wasn't much of a queue when we went. We were seated inside where posters telling people that no photography was allowed.
We had the Hot Spring Half-Boiled Eggs, and Hot Spring Toufu. Both were served cool. Both cost NT$25 each. The Hot Spring Half-Boiled Eggs was very tasty and refreshing on a hot summer's day, especially after all that walking. The Hot Spring Toufu was equally good and refreshing.
Between the two of us, DramaQueen and I shared a bowl of charsiew ramen. The noodles were nice and springy and the soup was flavorful. It was a big bowl.
So with our tummies filled, we headed over to the Fisherman's Wharf at Danshui via the MRT.
After alighting at the Xinbeitou MRT Station, which is just one stop from the Beitou MRT Station, we walked out towards the entrance and just followed to signs.
These were the sights that we saw while on the way to the Thermal Valley and to DramaQueen's ramen (recommended by the information counter at the Beitou MRT Station, and is apparently quite famous). Just follow the signs and you won't get lost. There is a lot of walk though and the road got steeper the further we walked up to the Thermal Valley (a whole 850 meters), but it was good exercise.
Beitou Park
The first attraction we came across was the Beitou Park, which had a water fountain display that activated in the evening.
Ketagalan Cultural Center
Nearby is the Ketagalan Cultural Center showcases the traditional costumes, history and culture of the various indigenous tribes of Taiwan. It also has an art gallery, international conference room and classroom areas serving various functions. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday (0900 - 1700) and admission is free. We managed to enter the center just before 5pm, which gave us about 30 minutes to explore the first two levels.
Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch
Our next stop was the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, which is a "green" library. It has balcony coverings and perpendicular wood window latticing reduce the entry of thermal radiation into the interior of the building, which lowers energy consumption and enhances energy-saving efficiency. Rain water is collected and used to water plants and flush toilets, further emphasizing the "greenness" of the library. The library is truly the epitome of Eco-friendliness and is an interesting piece of architecture.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館)
The Beitou Hot Spring Museum (北投溫泉博物館) is Taiwan’s first public bath house and was built by the Japanese in 1913. It was the biggest hot spring bath house in East Asia at the time. The entire building resembles an English country house. It has display historical relics and documents of sulfur mining etc... Admission is free. Before entering the museum, patrons are required to change in to slippers provided by the museum to prevent scratches or damages to the museum’s delicate wooden floor.
Millennium Hot Spring (千禧汤)
One of the main attractions of (Xin)Beitou is the hot springs. The area of (Xin)Beitou is literally peppered with hot spring hotels and such. As we walked up towards the Thermal Valley there were hotels offering the hot spring experience at almost every turn and corner.
If you are on a tight budget or just want to have an cheap(er) experience of the hot springs, you can try the Millennium Hot Spring, an outdoor public hot spring located at 6 Zhongshan Road for NT$40.
Things to note:
- Bring your own swim wear and towel.
- Coin lockers, changing rooms with shower facilities are available.
- Pool water temperature generally ranges from 38 to 42 degree C.
- The spring water in (Xin)Beitou contains sulphur, so there is a pungent smell permeates the air.
Plum Garden (梅庭)
The Plum Garden was built during the 1930s and was the summer residence of former Control Yuan President, as well as Yu You-ren, the renowned calligraphy master. This Japanese-styled wooden structure is well preserved and was listed as a historic site by the city government in 2006.
Thermal Valley (地狱谷)
Unfortunately for us this natural wonder, was closed by the time we reached it at about 5.30 in the evening. The valley is named after the sulfurous gases and scalding hot springs, and also known as Hell's Valley. So it was off to the famous ramen store next door.
Hot Spring Ramen at BeiTou (满来温泉拉面)
This ramen store was recommended by the information counter at the Beitou MRT Station. And the recommendation was good and there wasn't much of a queue when we went. We were seated inside where posters telling people that no photography was allowed.
We had the Hot Spring Half-Boiled Eggs, and Hot Spring Toufu. Both were served cool. Both cost NT$25 each. The Hot Spring Half-Boiled Eggs was very tasty and refreshing on a hot summer's day, especially after all that walking. The Hot Spring Toufu was equally good and refreshing.
Between the two of us, DramaQueen and I shared a bowl of charsiew ramen. The noodles were nice and springy and the soup was flavorful. It was a big bowl.
So with our tummies filled, we headed over to the Fisherman's Wharf at Danshui via the MRT.
Related Posts:
- Hotel Quote Taipei
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Day 1
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Day 2
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Day 3
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Day 4
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Day 5
- Taipei August 2012 Trip Itinerary
WOW!!! I'm so jealous! How I wish I was able to see all of those during my recent Taiwan trip. :D
ReplyDelete=) You can visit them on your next trip to Taiwan! hehe
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