Free hot springs in Taiwan

Located along the scenic Central Cross-Island Highway, this park features free, open-air public foot pools that contain therapeutic Doctor Fish which nibble away dead skin cells. The water is a mild, weakly alkaline carbonic acid spring with a light hint of sulfur that is clear and relaxing. The park is beautifully integrated with mountain walking trails and an indigenous cultural center.

Maintained by the Yangmingshan National Park administration, this free public bathhouse offers separate indoor pools for men and women alongside an outdoor foot-soaking pool. The name translates literally to Cold Water Pit because its water sits at a lower temperature compared to other boiling volcanic vents in the park. The iron-rich neutral sulfate water leaves a faint rust-colored sediment along the pool walls.

Set within a wide, rocky mountain river valley, this popular park features massive boiling stone troughs designed for cooking food in active geothermal water. Visitors rent bamboo baskets to boil fresh corn, sweet potatoes, and local eggs in the steaming mineral currents. A beautifully constructed timber pavilion offers shallow foot-soaking streams nearby, while the source vents reach near boiling.

Widely considered Taiwan's most beautiful wild hot spring, Lisong features magnificent emerald-green mineral curtains coating a vertical canyon wall. The mineral water sprays out from cracks high above, cascading into natural rock pools along the rushing Xinwulu River. The striking green and white patterns are created by calcium carbonate and heat-loving algae. Reaching it requires a steep, challenging hike down vertical ropes.