For those who don’t know me well, I have a small case of OCD. I already don’t like taking baths — I’m a shower girl, so getting in a hot pool filled with half naked strangers is something I always dread, especially not knowing where their bodies have been prior. However, I can’t use YOLO as my anthem if I can’t bypass my OCD-ness.
Beitou is a hot spring town developed by the Japanese back when they occupied Taiwan from 1895 – 1945. This town was originally known as Taiwan’s largest illegal red light district — the foreign soldiers would have themselves a hot bath and then have themselves a hot girl –ha. Of course, the Taiwanese government cleaned up the town decades ago, but the essence of the red light is still here. Why do I say this? — Because they have condoms in the hot spring rooms — groddy!
Daniel gladly compromised with me by getting a private hot bath room for us so we don’t have to share the water with random strangers. The room is big with a spacious sitting area and tub and I am more than elated to have this private room. This elation quickly crashed when I saw the condom in plain sight on the table. The first thought that came to mind was, “I am in a sex room!” I can’t even sit down, because all I can imagine is people doing their nasty-nasty all over it. Overall, it’s a fun and interesting day trip. It’s something to be done once and not again…unless we go to a much nicer hotel.
Other than the hot springs attraction, there is a gorgeous library and the original bath house museum.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館 (Facebook)
Geothermal Valley — aka Hell Valley. The nickname Hell Valley comes from past tragic tourist incidents. The spring is not suitable for human contact because it is a hydrochloric acid spring with the temperature ranges from 80 to 100° Celsius ~ 176 to 212° Fahrenheit.
Broad Way Hotel (Map) — Private hot spring bath room. I give this 3 stars.
Look at how cute this street sewer drain is!
