After a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters, male guests were offered other distractions, such as professional geisha performances, or Nanguan, a traditional music genre popular in southeastern China. Given the culture at the time, it was perhaps inevitable that prostitution became part of the total relaxation package offered by Beitou’s resorts and inns.
The sex industry prospered to the extent that an “association of Beitou waitresses” was founded, and the area gained notoriety as a thriving red-light zone. A 1967 Time magazine article carried the title, “Five Day Bonanza” —referring to the rest and recuperation period offered to American soldiers about half-way through their combat tours in Vietnam. One of the photos illustrating the article featured an American soldier taking a hot bath with two “compliant” Taiwanese girls.
Such articles obviously caused serious harm to the country’s image. For whatever reason, it was not until 1979 that the government decided to launch a comprehensive campaign to clean up the sex industry in Taiwan, and Beitou was an obvious focus of the effort. However, this policy led to an economic downturn in Beitou that lasted for almost 20 years.
The restoration of the Beitou Hot Spring Museum coincided with a rising interest in personal health and health treatments. The hot springs and resorts have become a weekend magnet for stressed residents of Taipei. While the actual health benefits of hot springs have yet to be scientifically proven, there is no doubt that a relaxing dip is just the tonic that has rejuvenated the local economy.
Write to Amber Wu at amber0207@mail.gio.gov.tw