Winter Bath & Blooms TourPost date：2011-06-22
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Introduction
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Local veggie cuisine at Yangmingshan
Beitou Hot Spring Museum 
Folk Arts Museum
Spring bath and hot spring cuisine
Yangmingshan National Park
Address: No. 1-20, Zhuzihu Rd., Taipei City
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The 11,455 hectares of Yangmingshan National Park are home to a rich animal and plant ecology. There are 30 known mammal species here, including the indigenous Formosan macaque and red-bellied tree squirrel. The park also provides a habitat for over 100 bird and butterfly species, as well as brilliant azaleas, cherry blossoms, and other blooms, all of which can be enjoyed during the annual Yangmingshan Flower Festival from February to March. In March and April, the lilies take the stage during the Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival, and in October silver-grass carpet the hillsides with their waving tasseled heads. Qingtiangang is a good spot to enjoy the lush grasslands of Yangmingshan, and at the geothermally active Lengshuikeng you can get an up-close look at the park's volcanic geology. After a scenic tour, make sure to try the local cuisine. Vegetables, bamboo shoot soup, sweet potato soup and Chinese yam are among the many fresh and tasty dishes sold here, fresh from the farm. A note to visitors: Yangmingshan can get windy and cold in the winter, so make sure to dress warmly when visiting the park at that time.Beitou Hot Spring Museum (Beitou Library & Diregu)
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The Beitou Hot Spring Museum started life during the Japanese occupation period as East Asia's largest hot spring bathhouse. The wood and brick building has the classical elegance of an English country estate. An important Beitou landmark, it has been designated as a grade-three historic site. The exhibits inside introduce the history of the Beitou hot springs, spring types in Taiwan, and other hot spring facts. From the museum, a short walk takes you to the Beitou Library (Taiwan's first "green" library) and Diregu. The latter site is one of the main water sources of the Beitou hot springs. A thick smell of sulfur hangs in the air here, and the coils of steam rising from the water's surface further add to a scene that has earned this place the nickname of "Hell Valley."Taiwan Folk Arts Museum
Address: No. 32, Youya Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City |
The Taiwan Folk Arts Museum is notable as much for the exhibits inside as it is for its historic architecture. The museum is housed in lovingly restored Japanese-style wooden structure that was built in 1920 as an upscale hot spring spa—the Jiashan Inn. It was later repurposed as a Japanese officers club. During the Pacific War, it was also used as a rest house for members of a kamikaze squadron. In 1998, the site was designated as a city historic site, and in 2002 renovations began to return the building to its former glory.
