• Yangmingshan National Park - Meet the tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and set off for Yangmingshan National Park.

Yangmingshan National Park is situated in the northern part of Taipei City, covering Beitou District and six other districts in the Taipei Metro Area. As the world’s first Urban Quiet Park certified by Quiet Park International, the park is renowned for its stunning flora and rich geological features, including fumaroles, lava terrains, craters, and hot springs, offering an up-close view of the rocks and landforms.

• Beitou Public Library, Taipei - The first stop is the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch, also known as Beitou Library. Nestled in Beitou Park and near the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, this beautiful library was selected by the popular travel website “When on Earth” as one of the 10 Coolest Examples of green buildings due to its sustainable design. The New York City-based online culture magazine “Flavorwire” also recognized it as one of The 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World.

The distinctive appearance of Beitou Library makes it a favorite spot for photography. So, take out your phone or camera, capture the view, and make your travel memories tangible.

• Beitou Hot Spring Museum - The next stop is the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, built during the Japanese colonization and just a few minutes’ walk from the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch.

The two-story Tudor-style building of the museum features a brick and wood façade and a black tile roof. The first level includes a small bath and a large bath; as you walk along the arcade, you can see the baths up close. Additionally, the display of “sento” simulates the facilities of a traditional public bath, providing an understanding of how the communal bathhouse functioned in the past.

The second level features a large Tatami lobby and a balcony with a special exhibition area where early Taiwanese film documents are displayed. This is an excellent place to learn about Beitou’s rich hot spring culture and history.

• Beitou Thermal Valley (Hell Valley) - Geothermal Valley, the next stop on the Yangmingshan day trip, is not far from the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

This location is also known as “Hell Valley” or “Ghost Lake” due to the sulfuric steam fog it emits, caused by the high temperature. It is also one of the heat sources of the sulfur spring that supplies the nearby hot springs.

• Flower Clock - Afterward, enjoy a 40-minute scenic ride to Yangmingshan National Park. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views through the windows.

The tour continues with a visit to the Yangmingshan Flower Clock—the centerpiece of the national park, located near the bus terminal and the visitor center.

The flower plants change with the seasons, allowing visitors to enjoy the blooms year-round. Every year during the cherry blossom season, crowds flock to see the beautiful cherry blossoms surrounding the flower clock.

• Yang-Ming Shu-Wu Mansion - Next, visit Yangmingshuwu, formerly known as Zhongxing Guesthouse. It was the summer residence of the late president Chiang Kai-shek for hosting important foreign dignitaries.

Originally an old-growth forest, part of the forest was preserved after the mansion and its associated buildings were completed. Today, the mansion is an important site for Taiwan’s history and nature conservation.

• Zhuzihu - Home to Yangmingshan’s calla lily and hydrangea, Zhuzihu is a farming area hidden in the mountains. It was originally a lava-dammed lake created by volcanic eruptions; the geological factors and fertile soil make Zhuzihu a suitable place for farming.

Besides the seasonal flowers, Zhuzihu is also renowned for its mountain vegetable cuisine. While in Zhuzihu, don’t miss the chance to try the local specialties. (lunch at your own expense)

• Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area - Next, visit the most popular attraction in Yangmingshan National Park—Xiaoyoukeng (literally “little oil pit”), a post-volcanic geological landscape area.

The scenic trail around Xiaoyoukeng offers close-up views of the pit from different angles, where you can see and smell the steam emerging from the cracks and the sulfur crystals around the fumaroles, as if you can feel the breath of a dormant volcano.

• Yang Ming Shan Qing Tian Gang - Then, visit Qingtiangang, a vast lava terrace formed when lava flowed north after the eruption. The terrace was once a ranch for water buffaloes grazing during Japanese colonization; even today, naturally bred water buffaloes can still be seen there.
• Yang Ming Shan Leng Shui Keng - The final stop is Lengshuikeng (literally “cold water pit”), a barrier lake formed by volcanic lava flowing down from the mountain. The hot spring water is cooler than in other areas (around 40 degrees Celsius), hence the name.

Before the Yangmingshan day tour concludes, enjoy a rejuvenating hot spring foot bath to relieve tension and stiffness in your legs after hours of walking.

After the Beitou District and Yangmingshan National Park tour, choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market (arriving around 16:40), considered Taiwan’s most famous night market. There, indulge in delicious street foods to your heart’s content. Alternatively, choose to disembark at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station after the tour (arriving around 17:00).

• Shilin Night Market - On the way back to the meeting point, you can opt to be dropped off at Shilin Night Market.

• Local General Liabilities Insurance
• Professional licensed tour guide
• Hot spring foot bath
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (if private option selected)

• Bottled water
• Gratuities
• Food and drink

Pause your hectic life and city buzz, embark on a journey to the scenic Yangmingshan National Park and Beitou District, and surrender to the serenity of nature.

Situated in the northern part of Taipei City, Yangmingshan National Park spans the Beitou District and 6 other districts within the Taipei Metro Area. Accredited as the world’s premier Urban Quiet Park by Quiet Park International, it is famous for its stunning flora and a wealth of geological formations such as fumaroles, lava lands, craters, and hot springs. These provide striking sights of rock structures and topography.

Beyond the park itself, visit the Geothermal Valley and Beitou Hot Spring Museum for a deep dive into Taipei’s hot spring development history, covering everything from their heat source to their historical artifacts.

The hot spring bath in Beitou is another experience you wouldn’t want to miss. Before wrapping up your tour, kick back and relax with a revitalizing hot spring foot bath.

• Ensure you carry enough cash with you to cover your expenses for meals, beverages, souvenirs, tips, etc. Convenience stores and most of the eateries in Taiwan don’t accept credit cards as a form of payment.
• Not recommended for travelers with physical disabilities
• This tour takes place in Yangmingshan National Park most of the time, which involves lots of walking and stairs; comfortable shoes and casual wear are recommended. As the temperature can drop dramatically in the mountain area, it’s recommended to bring an extra coat.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.