Taiwanese hot springs
Encyclopedia
Taiwan
is part of the collision zone between the Yangtze Plate
and Philippine Sea Plate. Eastern and southern Taiwan are the northern end of the Philippine Mobile Belt
.
Located next to an oceanic trench and volcanic system in a tectonic collision zone, Taiwan has evolved a unique environment that produces high-temperature springs with crystal-clear water, usually both clean and safe to drink. These hot springs
are not only clean and potable but also commonly used for spas and resorts.
, the government constantly promoted and further enhanced the natural hot springs. The Japanese rule brought with them their rich onsen
culture of spring soaking, which had a great influence on Taiwan.
In March 1896, Hirado Gengo from Osaka, Japan
opened Taiwan's first hot spring hotel, called Tenguan. He not only heralded a new era of hot spring bathing in Beitou
, but also paved the road for a whole new hot spring culture for Taiwan. In the Japanese onsen culture, hot springs are claimed to offer many health benefits. As well as raising energy levels, the minerals in the water are commonly suggested to help treat chronic fatigue, eczema or arthritis.
During Japanese rule, the four major hot springs in Taiwan were Beitou
, Yangmingshan
, Guanziling
and Sichongxi. However, under ROC administration starting from 1945, the hot spring culture in Taiwan gradually lost momentum. It was not until 1999 that the authorities again started large-scale promotion of Taiwan's hot springs, setting off a renewed hot spring fever.
In recent years, hot spring spas and resorts on Taiwan have gained more popularity. With the support of the government, the hot spring has become not only another industry but also again part of Taiwanese culture
.
Taiwan has one of the highest concentrations (more than 100 hot springs) and greatest variety of thermal springs in the world varying from hot springs to cold springs, mud springs, and seabed hot springs.
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
is part of the collision zone between the Yangtze Plate
Yangtze Plate
The Yangtze Plate, also called the South China Block or the South China Subplate, comprises the bulk of southern China. It is separated on the east from the Okinawa Plate by a rift that forms the Okinawa Trough which is a Back arc basin, on the south by the Sunda Plate and the Philippine Sea...
and Philippine Sea Plate. Eastern and southern Taiwan are the northern end of the Philippine Mobile Belt
Philippine Mobile Belt
The Philippine Mobile Belt is a complex portion of the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, comprising most of the country of the Philippines. It includes two subduction zones, the Manila Trench to the west and the Philippine Trench to the east, as well as the...
.
Located next to an oceanic trench and volcanic system in a tectonic collision zone, Taiwan has evolved a unique environment that produces high-temperature springs with crystal-clear water, usually both clean and safe to drink. These hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
are not only clean and potable but also commonly used for spas and resorts.
History
The first mention of Taiwan's hot springs came from a 1697 manuscript, Beihai Jiyou (裨海紀遊), but they were not developed until 1893, when a German businessman discovered Peitou and later established a small local spa. Under Japanese ruleTaiwan under Japanese rule
Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a dependency of the Empire of Japan. The expansion into Taiwan was a part of Imperial Japan's general policy of southward expansion during the late 19th century....
, the government constantly promoted and further enhanced the natural hot springs. The Japanese rule brought with them their rich onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
culture of spring soaking, which had a great influence on Taiwan.
In March 1896, Hirado Gengo from Osaka, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
opened Taiwan's first hot spring hotel, called Tenguan. He not only heralded a new era of hot spring bathing in Beitou
Beitou
Beitou District is the northernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City, Taiwan. The historical spelling of the district is Peitou. The name originates from the Ketagalan word Kipatauw, meaning witch. Beitou is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei's districts.Beitou is famous for its hot...
, but also paved the road for a whole new hot spring culture for Taiwan. In the Japanese onsen culture, hot springs are claimed to offer many health benefits. As well as raising energy levels, the minerals in the water are commonly suggested to help treat chronic fatigue, eczema or arthritis.
During Japanese rule, the four major hot springs in Taiwan were Beitou
Beitou
Beitou District is the northernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City, Taiwan. The historical spelling of the district is Peitou. The name originates from the Ketagalan word Kipatauw, meaning witch. Beitou is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei's districts.Beitou is famous for its hot...
, Yangmingshan
Yangmingshan
One of the eight national parks in Taiwan, the Yangmingshan National Park is located between Taipei City and New Taipei City, Taiwan. The districts that house parts of the park grounds include Taipei's Beitou and Shilin Districts; and New Taipei's Wanli, Jinshan, and Sanzhi Districts. During the...
, Guanziling
Guanziling
Guanziling in Tainan is one of the most famous hot spring sites in Taiwan. This rare spring releases methane, which has been burning constantly for around three centuries....
and Sichongxi. However, under ROC administration starting from 1945, the hot spring culture in Taiwan gradually lost momentum. It was not until 1999 that the authorities again started large-scale promotion of Taiwan's hot springs, setting off a renewed hot spring fever.
In recent years, hot spring spas and resorts on Taiwan have gained more popularity. With the support of the government, the hot spring has become not only another industry but also again part of Taiwanese culture
Culture of Taiwan
The culture of Taiwan is a blend of Confucianist Han Chinese, Japanese, European, American, global, local, and Taiwanese aborigines cultures, which are often perceived in both traditional and modern understandings...
.
Taiwan has one of the highest concentrations (more than 100 hot springs) and greatest variety of thermal springs in the world varying from hot springs to cold springs, mud springs, and seabed hot springs.
Types of springs
- Sodium carbonate springs
- Sulfur springs
- Ferrous springs
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate springs
- Mud springs
-
- (spring water contains alkaline and iodine, is salty and has a light sulfuric smell)
- Salt or hydrogen sulfide springs
- (spring water contains alkaline and iodine, is salty and has a light sulfuric smell)
Partial list of hot springs in Taiwan
- Chiao Hsi
- Dakeng
- BeitouBeitouBeitou District is the northernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City, Taiwan. The historical spelling of the district is Peitou. The name originates from the Ketagalan word Kipatauw, meaning witch. Beitou is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei's districts.Beitou is famous for its hot...
- JhibenJhiben Hot SpringThe Jhiben Hot Spring is a hot spring in Beinan, Taitung County, Taiwan. It is one of the most famous Taiwanese hot springs. In its literature the local Taitung tourism authorities spell the name of the area Chr ben- History :...
- YangmingshanYangmingshanOne of the eight national parks in Taiwan, the Yangmingshan National Park is located between Taipei City and New Taipei City, Taiwan. The districts that house parts of the park grounds include Taipei's Beitou and Shilin Districts; and New Taipei's Wanli, Jinshan, and Sanzhi Districts. During the...
- Guanziling
- Sichongxi
- Wulai
- Green islandGreen Island, TaiwanGreen Island is a small volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean, about off the eastern coast of Taiwan. In the 19th century it was known as Samasana Island and the Japanese called it Kasho-to . The island is 15.092 km² at high tide and 17.329 km² at low tide...
— undersea spas exist only in Italy, Japan and Taiwan.
External links
- Taiwanzen, website about Taiwan and hot springs
- Taiwanese Hot Springs Taiwan Journal
- Hot spring tour, Tourism Bureau, R.O.C.
- Hitting the hot springs and avoiding the hot spots, Taipei TimesTaipei TimesThe Taipei Times is one of the three major English-language newspapers in the Republic of China the other two being the Taiwan News and The China Post...
(June 13, 2003)