If you’re visiting Taipei, it’s likely you’ve heard about the Beitou Hot Springs, as they’re arguably the most well-known and visited hot springs in the surrounding Taipei area. Unfortunately, because of their popularity, Beitou is often crowded and has become very touristy. A much better alternative to Beitou is the public Wulai Hot Springs; a 45 minute bus ride from Taipei. While Wulai has plenty of hot springs at guest houses and hotels, the natural, public hot springs are a must, offering visitors some rest and relaxation in a beautiful, natural surrounding.

Getting to the Wulai Hot Springs from Taipei

The cheapest and easiest way to get to Wulai is via public transportation. Hop on the Metro and take the Green Line to Xindian Station. When you exit, look for a small tourist center on your right side, just across from the bus platform. Right behind the tourist center is where you’ll find bus 849 (I believe it was around NT$20), which will take you right to Wulai (it’ll be the last stop, so don’t worry about missing it). The journey is incredibly beautiful and scenic, and takes about 45 minutes.

What to expect at the natural Wulai Hot Springs

Once you get off the bus, head down into Wulai Old Street (where all of the little shops and food stalls are), cross the bridge at the end, and head right to “Ulay Hot Spring” (see first photo above).

As you’re walking down the road you’ll notice there isn’t a specific sign that tells you where to go to get to the public hot springs, however, there are two ways to get down on your left side (that I know of, at least). One is only a few feet down the road and is a bit more obvious; just take the stairs and walk down a bit (you’ll pass the feet only hot spring first [the last photo above] and then get to the larger hot spring shortly after). Otherwise, if you walk a bit further down, you’ll find another entrance with stairs leading down the hill. Once down, you’ll see the hot springs just to your left.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have great weather when we went, but the springs were very hot (just check out that steam coming off them) and still quite busy given the cold temperature. There are a few little ‘change rooms’ right by the hot springs for public use if you do decide to head on in. The majority of people using the hot springs were local and were very welcoming, so there’s no need to feel awkward about joining them in a hot spring. We even saw a couple people riding the current down the large (and what must have been freezing) river.

Bring a drink or two along and plop down in one of the hot springs (there were close to 10) for a few hours of rest and relaxation. If you’re not in the mood to completely drench yourself, there is a smaller hot spring (last photo above) made just for dipping your feet into.