Taiwan Today

Lisong Hot Springs in southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung County are hard to get to, but reward the hardy traveler with a unique experience. The hot springs are located 1,170 meters above sea level, on the upper reaches of the Wulu Creek on the southern cross-island mountain range. They appear only in the winter months, when calcium carbonate sediment and moss form the hot springs' famous colorful walls. The high temperatures cause steam to form, making the bubbling water look like something from a painting. The springs are a favorite with adventuresome hot-springs aficionados. Dahai, a porter from Haiduan Township, said the springs, located deep in the mountains, are not easily accessed. Visitors must first drive along Highway 20 for 169 kilometers to a fork in the road, then hike for three kilometers before they come to a farmhouse that marks the entrance to the springs. From there, they must follow a small trail to one side, climbing up and down a series of hills, some of them nearly perpendicular, and only after 40 to 60 minutes of hiking will they arrive at the springs. The beauty of these springs makes even the most exhausted climbers forget all about their fatigue as they strip off their clothes and enjoy the natural hot water, a pleasure hard to put into words, said Dahai. Magically, tadpoles of the Japanese tree frog that can stand temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius can also be seen in the pool. Dahai warned that potential visitors should consider their physical condition before setting forth. Their trip might also be cut short by road conditions, and this is really not a trip to bring young children on. Residents of Haiduan Township have set up an alpine service corps to guide visitors climbing the mountains. The contact phone numbers for Dahai are 0981-033406 or 0915-279998. (This article first appeared Jan. 4, 2010 in the “Liberty Times.”)