Jiaoxi Hot Springs Yilan
Relax in natural hot springs, hike scenic trails, and enjoy Yilan's tranquil beauty. A perfect escape.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxation
Jiaoxi Hot Springs Yilan
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxation
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Relax in natural hot springs, hike scenic trails, and enjoy Yilan's tranquil beauty. A perfect escape.
"Affordable nude onsens in a garden setting, pure bliss!"
🧦 Bring your own towel!
Essential for paid hot spring facilities. Some nude onsens are affordable and offer a garden experience.
👟 Sturdy shoes for hiking
Matcha Mountain is a challenging hike; wear appropriate footwear for the 11.2km trail.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park
Tangweigou Hot Springs Park
Relax in a garden setting with various temperature pools and free foot baths. A tranquil escape.
Matcha Mountain Hike
Shengmu Hiking Trail
Conquer this challenging trail for breathtaking panoramic views. Nature's reward awaits.
Kongyi Farm Cafe
Jiaoxi Township
Enjoy a unique cafe experience with a shuttle service, offering a scenic spot in Yilan.
Turtle Island Tour
Off the coast of Yilan
Explore the unique geology and beautiful landscapes of this mysterious island.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Heat: Hot Spring Etiquette
Matcha Mountain Magic
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧦 Bring your own towel!
Essential for paid hot spring facilities. Some nude onsens are affordable and offer a garden experience.
👟 Sturdy shoes for hiking
Matcha Mountain is a challenging hike; wear appropriate footwear for the 11.2km trail.
💰 Affordable foot baths
Enjoy free hot spring foot baths in Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park. Wheelchair accessible.
🚗 Parking fees apply
If driving, expect to pay for parking, often at the nearby cafe.
Tips
from all over the internet
🧦 Bring your own towel!
Essential for paid hot spring facilities. Some nude onsens are affordable and offer a garden experience.
👟 Sturdy shoes for hiking
Matcha Mountain is a challenging hike; wear appropriate footwear for the 11.2km trail.
💰 Affordable foot baths
Enjoy free hot spring foot baths in Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park. Wheelchair accessible.
🚗 Parking fees apply
If driving, expect to pay for parking, often at the nearby cafe.
♨️ Various hot spring types
Explore different temperatures and facilities, from nude onsens to private tubs. 
🚌 Bus is convenient
Reaching Jiaoxi is often easier by bus from the transfer station than the train station.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Jiaoxi for its affordable and relaxing hot springs, particularly the nude onsens set in beautiful garden environments. The free foot baths are a major plus for families and budget travelers. While the Matcha Mountain hike is challenging, the views are highly rewarding. Some find the abundance of rabbit sculptures in the park a bit quirky.
"The whole park is very beautiful to walk around. We went there for a weekend and we really enjoyed walking around and soaking our feet in the open, public hot springs. We also visited the forest park with the hot springs where you pay a small fee but you can stay for unlimited hours. Sections for men and women are separate and you can truly enjoy the hot spring pools in the forest, relax and have a moment with yourself. There is also a pool of hot spring water out in the public where you need to wear swimsuit of course, so plenty of options in this park. Highly recommended for a relaxing weekend away!"
ELENI DEDEDAKI
"Entrance is free. You can see older people just soaking their feet and chilling there, and water is clean. Recommended if you’re looking for some free onsen and did not want to soak your whole body."
Jaden Tan
"Lovely park to walk around with hot spring. Highly worth visiting if you’re in the area."
Amy Hepp
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Jiaoxi is about an hour's train ride or under an hour by car from Taipei City. Buses are also a convenient option, especially from the bus transfer station.
Yes, Jiaoxi is well-connected by train and bus. Many visitors find the bus transfer station a convenient starting point for exploring the area.
While walking is possible for some attractions, consider local buses or taxis for longer distances. For Matcha Mountain, specific directions to trailheads are provided.
Some attractions, like Kongyi Farm Cafe, offer their own shuttle services. It's advisable to check with specific venues beforehand.
Absolutely! Jiaoxi is a popular day trip destination from Taipei, offering hot springs and nature within easy reach.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park offers free foot baths. For the hot spring bathhouse facilities within the park, an entry fee is required. Nude onsens are highly affordable, around NT$200-220 per person.
Yes, student discounts are often available for hot spring facilities (bring your ID). Children typically have reduced or free entry to certain attractions.
Opening hours can vary, especially between weekdays and weekends. For example, Kongyi Farm Cafe is open from 3 PM to 11 PM on weekdays and until midnight on weekends. Paid hot spring facilities generally have longer hours.
For public hot spring facilities, advance booking is usually not necessary, but it's always a good idea to check, especially for private tubs or during peak seasons.
Attractions like Kongyi Farm Cafe have a minimum ticket price of NT$300 for adults and NT$150 for children aged 7-13.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Don't miss the relaxing Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park with its free foot baths, the scenic Matcha Mountain for hiking, and the unique Kongyi Farm Cafe. Turtle Island tours are also popular.
'Matcha Mountain' refers to the Shengmu Hiking Trail. It's a challenging hike, approximately 11.2km round trip with an altitude gain of about 1000m, known for its beautiful scenery. +1
Yes, there are nude onsens available, which are highly affordable and offer a unique garden-like bathing experience with various temperature pools.
You can find pools of different temperatures (e.g., 35, 40, 42, 44°C), a sauna, and cold pools. Some resorts offer private hot spring tubs.
Yes, Jiaoxi offers family-friendly options like the hot springs park with a playground, picnic areas, and accessible foot baths. Some resorts are also family-oriented.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Jiaoxi offers a variety of Taiwanese cuisine. You can find local food at night markets and restaurants. Some cafes, like Kongyi Farm Cafe, offer unique dining experiences.
While the hot springs parks themselves might have cafes, exploring nearby areas or night markets like Luodong (a short trip away) will offer more dining options.
Some natural hot spring areas allow visitors to boil eggs or corn in the geothermal waters, a unique experience often found in places like Taipingshan National Park.
Kongyi Farm Cafe is mentioned as a scenic spot. For broader recommendations, exploring local night markets is a good bet for diverse Taiwanese snacks and desserts.
Expect simple cafe fare at the hot springs parks, like coffee or snacks. For full meals, venturing out to local eateries or night markets is recommended.
📸 📸 Photography
The lush greenery and unique rock formations of the Shengmu Hiking Trail (Matcha Mountain) offer stunning natural shots. The garden setting of the hot springs parks and the unique architecture of some resorts are also picturesque.
Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, will provide the best natural light for landscape and portrait photography in the natural areas. Midday can be harsh.
The various temperature pools, steam rising from the water, and the surrounding garden landscapes create atmospheric photo opportunities. Capture the relaxation and unique setting.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes of Matcha Mountain and the hot spring parks. A waterproof phone case could be useful near the water.
Photography policies can vary. It's best to be discreet and respectful of others' privacy, especially in changing areas or more intimate spa settings.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
For a more adventurous outing, consider the Kongyi Farm Cafe, which offers a unique experience with a shuttle service and scenic views. While the Matcha Mountain hike is challenging and might be too strenuous for very young children, families with older, active kids might find it a rewarding adventure.
💰 Budget Travelers
Look for hotels or guesthouses that offer day passes for their hot spring facilities, which can be more economical than booking an overnight stay. Bringing your own towel will also save on rental fees. For dining, exploring local night markets or smaller eateries will provide delicious and inexpensive Taiwanese meals.
❤️ Couples & Relaxation Seekers
+1Consider booking a stay at a hotel with a renowned spa, like Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi, which is noted for its luxury family and all-inclusive options, but also offers a high-end spa experience. Enjoying the various temperature pools, perhaps followed by a couples massage, can create a truly rejuvenating escape.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Allure of Jiaoxi's Hot Springs
When visiting the paid facilities, remember to bring your own towel and bathing suit, as these are typically required. The Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park is a popular spot, featuring free foot baths that are wheelchair accessible, making it a great option for families and individuals with mobility concerns. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, numerous hotels and resorts offer private rooms with dedicated hot spring tubs, often large enough for couples or small groups. The Chuan Tang Spring Spa Hotel is noted for its high-quality bathing experience, and day passes are available for those not staying overnight.
For a truly unique experience, consider the nude onsens, which are praised for their affordability and tranquil garden settings. These facilities often feature multiple pools with varying temperatures, allowing visitors to find their perfect soak. The absence of a strong sulfur smell enhances the meditative quality of the experience. While some facilities have saunas, the main draw remains the diverse hot spring pools.
Conquering Matcha Mountain: A Hiker's Guide
Hikers should come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, ample water, and appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions. The trail is well-marked, with two main access points, one from Tianmu Farm and another from Taihe觀光果園. The latter offers views of Taihe Mountain and Dajia Mountain. While the hike is demanding, the unique green hues of the landscape and the panoramic vistas make it a memorable experience, often compared to the beauty of Japan.
It's important to note that this is a serious hike, not a casual stroll. The distance and elevation gain require a good level of fitness. However, for those who embrace the challenge, the reward is an unforgettable connection with nature and stunning photographic opportunities.
Exploring Yilan's Natural Wonders Beyond Hot Springs
Another unique natural wonder is Turtle Island, an offshore volcanic island accessible via boat tours. These tours highlight the island's unique geology, volcanic craters, and stunning coastal landscapes. The journey to Turtle Island itself provides scenic views of the Yilan coastline.
For those who appreciate scenic drives and rural beauty, Yilan's landscape is dotted with rice paddies and rolling hills, offering a tranquil escape from urban life. The Kongyi Farm Cafe provides a specific example of a scenic spot that combines nature with a unique cafe experience, complete with its own shuttle service.
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