Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park is a hot-spring themed park next to the Jiaoxi bus transfer station in Jiaoxi Township, Yilan, built on the site of Yuanshan Park, where Yilan Prefecture constructed a brick-and-stone public bathhouse in 1915 under Japanese rule, with a wooden VIP room added in 1923. Jiaoxi Hot Springs are of the sodium bicarbonate type, emerging at the surface at roughly 55–65°C with a pH of about 7 to 7.8 — one of Taiwan's rare lowland hot springs. The park has a free public foot-soak pool and a Japanese-style 'forest bath' pool that holds about 200 people; the water is mildly alkaline, colorless, and odorless, leaving skin feeling smooth after soaking — popularly called 'beauty water.'
Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park occupies the site of Yuanshan Park, where Yilan Prefecture built a brick-and-stone public bathhouse in 1915 under Japanese rule, adding a wooden VIP room in 1923; an even earlier military and police recuperation bathhouse was established in Jiaoxi in 1898. Jiaoxi Hot Springs are sodium bicarbonate springs, emerging at roughly 55–65°C with a pH of about 7 to 7.8 — one of Taiwan's few lowland hot springs.
Highlights of Jiaoxi Hot Springs
The geological conditions that give rise to Jiaoxi's hot springs are related to the local geothermal gradient and underground hydrology. The fact that they emerge at near sea-level elevation is genuinely uncommon in Taiwan. The sodium bicarbonate content makes the water slightly alkaline, distinguishing it from the sulfuric or carbonated springs more commonly found in Taiwan. It is popularly known as 'beauty water,' but this is a colloquial expression — actual effects vary by individual constitution.
The free public foot-soak pools in the park are open from early morning until late at night, offering an alternative to the cost of accommodation. The surrounding area is a commercial strip packed with hot spring hotels, private bath houses, and restaurants; quality of facilities and water management varies among establishments, so checking recent reviews beforehand is advisable. Easy access via the Jiaoxi Interchange off the freeway is one of the main reasons for the high visitor volume here.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and travel time
- Alight at Jiaoxi TRA Station and walk about 10 to 15 minutes to the hot spring park; or take a bus from Taipei to Jiaoxi (via Freeway 5), about 1 hour.
- By car, take Freeway 5 to the Jiaoxi Interchange — about 5 minutes from the hot spring area. Parking fees are higher on weekends and roadside spots are competitive.
Nearby connections
- Linmei Shiban Trail is in Linmei Village, Jiaoxi Township, about 15 minutes by car; a common combination is the trail first and then returning to Jiaoxi town center for a soak.
- Heading north along Provincial Highway 9 connects to Toucheng, linking to Wushi Harbor or Guishan Island whale-watching and other coastal attractions.
Sources: Jiaoxi Township Office; Wikipedia entry on 'Jiaoxi Hot Springs.' Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park before it was a park?
It was the site of a brick-and-stone public bathhouse built by Yilan Prefecture in 1915 under Japanese rule, with a wooden VIP room added in 1923.
What type of hot spring is Jiaoxi's?
Jiaoxi Hot Springs are sodium bicarbonate springs, emerging at roughly 55–65°C with a pH of about 7 to 7.8, one of Taiwan's rare lowland hot springs.
Is there a free foot-soak pool in the park?
Yes — the park has a free public foot-soak pool, plus a paid Japanese-style 'forest bath' pool that holds about 200 people.
Where does the 'beauty water' nickname come from?
The water is mildly alkaline, colorless, and odorless, leaving skin feeling smooth after soaking, which led to the popular nickname 'beauty water' — actual effects vary by individual.
Sources
- 蘭陽博物館-025期-開天闢地礁溪溫泉 — 1915年公共浴場歷史、1898年溫泉保養所
- 礁溪溫泉 - 維基百科 — 泉質、溫度、pH值