Bulao Hot Spring

Getting to Bulao involves driving into the scenic mountain landscapes of Kaohsiung's Liouguei District, traveling slightly south of Baolai along the peaceful paths of the Laonong River valley. The final approach takes you along a quiet hillside road bordered by dense bamboo forests and mango orchards, creating a sense of deep rural seclusion. Bulao literally translates to never old, a name derived from the local claim that the waters possess anti aging properties that keep your skin youthful. The setting is intimate and unhurried, centered around a few long standing, family run mountain hot spring lodges. The water here is an exceptional sodium bicarbonate spring, perfectly transparent, completely odorless, and incredibly slick to the touch. It feels remarkably light and pure, with pool temperatures carefully regulated between thirty-nine and forty-two degrees Celsius. You can access the springs by purchasing a day pass to a lodge's outdoor pool area for around two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty TWD. These outdoor facilities are coed and require standard swimsuits and swim caps, meaning tattoos are widely accepted without issue. You should bring a towel, fresh water, and snacks, as options are limited outside the lodges. Because Bulao is a peaceful alternative to more commercialized resort areas, it rarely sees major crowds, but a weekday morning visit ensures an incredibly quiet mountain sanctuary. After your bath, take a short drive to see the nearby Liouguei Dafo, a magnificent, towering bronze statue of Buddha that sits majestically against the backdrop of the green mountains.