Your first stop is Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, also known as Beitou Library. Because of its sustainable design, this beautiful library was selected by the famous travel website as one of the 10 Coolest Examples of green buildings.
The next stop is Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which was built during the Japanese colonisation. The 1st level consists with a small bath and a large bath; the display of “sento” simulates the facilities of a traditional public bath. The 2nd level consists with a huge Tatami lobby and a balcony with a special exhibition area where the early Taiwanese film documents are displayed.
Geothermal Valley is not far away from the museum. This place is also called “Hell Valley” or “Ghost Lake”, because of the sulfuric steam fog that it emits caused by the high temperature. It is also one of the heat sources of sulphur spring that supply the hot springs located in its vicinity.
Your tour to continues with a visit to the Yangmingshan Flower Clock—the centrepiece of the national park, where the flower plants change by season, visitors can enjoy the bloom all year round.
You will then visit Yangmingshuwu. It was the summer residence of the late president Chiang Kai-shek for reception of important foreign dignitaries. Today the mansion has become an important site for Taiwan’s history and nature conservation.
Zhuzihu is the home to Yangmingshan’s calla lily and hydrangea. This place is also well-known for the mountain vegetable cuisine. Since you are here, don’t miss the chance to try the local specialities.
After that, you will visit the most popular attraction in the park—Xiaoyoukeng (literally “little oil pit”), a post-volcanic geological landscape area. The scenic trail around Xiaoyoukeng offers close-up views of the pit, where you can see and smell the steam coming out of the cracks.
Then you will visit Qingtiangang, a vast lava terrace. It was once a ranch for water buffaloes grazing during Japanese colonisation; even today you can still see the naturally bred water buffaloes there.
The last stop is Lengshuikeng (literally “cold water pit”), a barrier lake. The hot spring water is colder than the other areas, hence the name. Here you will enjoy a rejuvenating hot spring foot bath to relieve the tension in your legs after walking.
After that, you may choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.