Attraction
Taipei 101 Observatory
The observation floors of Taipei 101, the 508-metre Xinyi tower, offer views across the Taipei Basin and a close look at its giant tuned mass damper.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum
A restored 1913 public bathhouse in Xinbeitou, reopened as a museum in 1998, that tells the story of Beitou's hot spring district.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic bathhouse museum
- Area
- Xinbeitou, Taipei, Taiwan
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 10:00–18:00
Good to know
- Historic building
- Tatami room
- Near Xinbeitou MRT
Why we recommend it
The Beitou Hot Spring Museum is the best introduction to Beitou, the hot spring district on Taipei's northern edge. The building began life as the Hokuto Public Bathhouse, constructed between 1911 and 1913 during the Japanese colonial era, when Beitou was developing as a spa resort. It later fell into disuse and came close to being demolished before local preservationists campaigned to save it. After restoration it opened as a museum on 31 October 1998.
The architecture is a large part of the appeal. The building mixes red brick with wooden weatherboarding in a style influenced by Edwardian and Tudor design, an unusual sight in Taipei and a reminder of how bathing culture arrived here from Japan. The first floor includes displays on the local Beitou stones, and the second floor has a tatami-floored recreation area of the kind bathers once used to rest. As in any tatami room, expect to take off your shoes before stepping onto the mats.
The museum's value lies in what it tells you about Beitou's hot spring history, and how a public bathhouse shaped the life of the district. It works well for families and for anyone who wants some context before soaking in one of the area's hot spring hotels. A visit of 45 minutes to an hour is usually enough.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Mondays. Weekends bring day-trippers from across the city, so a weekday morning is quieter. Wear shoes that are easy to slip off for the tatami room, and carry water in the warmer months. Combine the visit with a hot spring soak to make a half-day trip out of central Taipei.
Getting there is simple by MRT, as the nearest station is Xinbeitou on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line network. The museum is on Zhongshan Road in the Beitou District, within walking distance of the station, and the journey from central Taipei is straightforward enough for a morning or afternoon trip. If you have more time, the Beitou area also makes a sensible base for exploring the hills of Yangmingshan National Park to the north of the city.
Beitou Hot Spring Museum FAQs
What are the opening hours?
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and is closed on Mondays.
Which MRT station is nearest?
Xinbeitou Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line network is the nearest station.
What was the building originally?
It was the Hokuto Public Bathhouse, built between 1911 and 1913 during the Japanese colonial era.
When did it become a museum?
It opened as a museum on 31 October 1998 after local preservationists saved it from demolition.
Do you need to take your shoes off?
Yes, in the upstairs tatami room visitors remove their shoes before stepping on the mats.
How long should you allow?
Around 45 minutes to an hour is enough for the museum itself.
Can you bathe in the museum?
No, it is a museum, but there are hot spring hotels and public baths nearby in Beitou.
Is it good for families?
Yes, the displays are aimed at a general audience and the building is interesting for all ages.