Lisong Wild Hot Spring
栗松溫泉
4.7 · 812 reviews · via Google
Lisong Wild Hot Spring
carbonic-acid · Taitung
Hotter than 76% of Taiwan springs (n=25).
More acidic than 24% of Taiwan springs (n=25).
Mineral profile
Bar width reflects listing order, not measured concentration.
Suitability
At a glance
Getting there
Remote — over 5km from the nearest station
Crowd level
Moderate
About this spring
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.
Highlights
History
Lisong has been known for centuries to the indigenous Bunun people, whose ancestral hunting grounds encompass these steep, high altitude river canyons of the Central Mountain Range.
The tribe treated the hidden canyon as a sacred healing site where hunters could recover from arduous expeditions. Due to its extreme geographical isolation and the sheer difficulty of the descent, the spring escaped any commercialization during both the Japanese colonial era and the post war development periods, remaining a pristine wilderness icon.
Local guide
Reaching Lisong is a genuine adventure that requires careful planning, physical stamina, and a journey deep into the rugged central mountains of Taitung County via the Southern Cross Island Highway. You must rent a sturdy scooter or drive a car up to the trail entrance located around kilometer marker one hundred and sixty eight point five. There are absolutely no facilities, shops, or toilets here. The approach is a demanding hike that plunges down a nearly vertical mountain slope for about an hour, requiring you to use fixed ropes, roots, and steep mud steps to steady your descent. Once you reach the roaring canyon of the Xinwulu River, you must put on water shoes or sandals for multiple technical river crossings, wading through rushing, waist deep currents to travel upstream. The effort is rewarded by one of the most breathtaking sights in Taiwan, an emerald mineral cliff where mineral deposits and green algae have painted a towering rock wall in vibrant shades of green, yellow, and white. Out of this cliff, boiling water rains down into natural rock pools built along the riverbank. This is a completely wild, free spring, so there are no fees, no booking requirements, and no nudity rules, though most people wear standard swimsuits. Tattoos are entirely irrelevant in this wilderness setting. The water is a crystal clear sodium bicarbonate type, odorless and beautifully hot, contrasting with the icy alpine river water just inches away. You must bring gloves for the ropes, a dry bag, plenty of water, food, and a towel. Access is strictly limited to the dry winter season, typically from November to April, as summer typhoons make the river impassable and deadly. Always check river levels before making the descent.
Mineral chemistry
Carbonated hot springs are genuinely rare. The dissolved carbon dioxide creates micro-bubbles that cling to the skin, dilating capillaries and boosting local circulation — sometimes called "heart baths."
Carbonated springs are typically cooler than other spring types. Those with cardiovascular conditions should soak for shorter periods (10–15 minutes max) and exit slowly to avoid lightheadedness.
Simple thermal springs have lower dissolved mineral content but are valued for the pure therapeutic effect of heat immersion itself — easing muscle tension and improving circulation. Considered the gentlest introduction to hot spring bathing.
Standard precautions apply: avoid bathing within 30 minutes of eating, keep soaks to 10–15 minutes for first-timers, and hydrate before and after.
Similar springs
FREESet 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.
FREELocated 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.
Situated in the pastoral East Rift Valley, Ruisui is famous for producing Taiwan's only iron-rich carbonate hot spring. The mineral-dense water displays a metallic yellow-gold hue and forms a delicate layer of crystallized minerals on the surface known as spring flowers. The valley setting is surrounded by farmland and low green hills.
Perched on a high mountain slope near the entrance of the Yushan National Park trail system, Dongpu features pristine, clear carbonic acid springs. The village is surrounded by steep mountain peaks and serves as a major agricultural hub for the indigenous Bunun tribe. The water flows from mountain crevices and is completely free of any strong chemical odors.
Amenities
Getting there
From Taitung
Gateway: Chishang TRA Station
Rental car along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, then a steep rope-assisted hike down
Total journey: 150 min
Drive along the Southern Cross-Island Highway to the Lisong trailhead, then hike roughly ninety minutes down a steep rope-assisted path to the canyon floor.
Location & nearby
Southern Cross-Island Highway, Haiduan Township, Taitung County
More springs in Taitung
Operated by the Taitung County Farmers Association, this extensive resort complex features multiple indoor medicated pools infused with traditional herbs alongside spacious outdoor spas. Families gather at the geothermal cooking stations to boil fresh eggs and sweet corn in the naturally scalding thermal water. The property sits among dense forest greenery just outside the main Zhiben corridor.
Asahi is an extremely rare seabed saltwater hot spring, one of only a handful in the world, located on the coral reef shoreline of volcanic Green Island. It features open-air concrete rings built right where the hot coral water bubbles up, allowing bathers to hear the crashing Pacific waves. The water is heavily mineralized, clear, and distinctly salty.
Located alongside the wide Zhiben River canyon, this famous resort area boasts crystal-clear sodium bicarbonate water. The water is completely odorless and rich in minerals that leave the skin feeling deeply refreshed. The surrounding hillsides are blanketed in dense tropical forests filled with native birds and wild macaques.
Common questions
What is the water temperature at Lisong Wild Hot Spring?▾
The water temperature at Lisong Wild Hot Spring ranges up to 65°C (minimum around 45°C).
Is Lisong Wild Hot Spring free to visit?▾
Yes, Lisong Wild Hot Spring is free to visit.
Is Lisong Wild Hot Spring a public or private bath?▾
Lisong Wild Hot Spring is a mixed bathing spring.
Are tattoos allowed at Lisong Wild Hot Spring?▾
Yes, Lisong Wild Hot Spring welcomes visitors with tattoos.
What is the nearest station to Lisong Wild Hot Spring?▾
The nearest station to Lisong Wild Hot Spring is Chishang TRA Station, about 38km away.