Sulfur Valley 硫磺谷

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Sulfur Valley (Liuhuang Valley) in Yangmingshan National Park is a large volcanic sulfur hot spring area with hiking trails, steam vents, sulfur deposits, and large natural hot springs. Sulfur Valley contains a trail that circles the area, and also has a free public spring to soak your feet in. It is a unique and interesting stop on the mountain and worth a visit on your trip to Yangmingshan. 


Background:
The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs.
The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves. 
In 1927 during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was made as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as Datunshan National Park Association. 
In 1950 after the ROC took Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming, and called the area Yangmingshan. 
In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. 
The hot springs at Beitou were first converted into hot spring resorts in 1894, and Beitou become a popular hot spring location during the Japanese era, and there are many hot spring hotels and baths that exist there today.
Sulfur Valley is also the source of some of the hot spring water for Beitou Hot Springs.

Hours:
24/7

How to get there:
By Bus: From near Xinbeitou MRT station, take the S9 or S26 bus up the mountain to Mito Temple (Sulfur Valley) bus stop.
By Car/Scooter: From downtown Beitou, drive up Quanyuan Road until you reach the Sulfur Valley Parking lot, you can park there or on the side of the road. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

We have been to Sulfur Valley once. It is a nice short hike and worthwhile stop in Yangmingshan National Park.

"Visiting the Hot Spring Sources along Xingyi Road"
"Post volcanic activity in the Longfenggu and Liuhuanggu is manifested in the fumaroles, sulfur vents, crystalized sulfur, and hot springs that cover the area. This is a volcanic environment, and it is not easy for organisms to survive in the area. Not many mammals or birds live here, but you can occasionally spot a red belled tree squirrel, grey treepie, or Chinese bulbul. Vegetation in the area consists mainly of incised histoper's fern, dichotomy forked ferns, silvergrass, common meiastmas, luchu pine, and India-charcoal tremas."

In front of the trail there is a nice brick parking area.

Map of the trail. 

View of the Sulfur Valley spring from the trail. 

There are a few lookouts along the circular trail.

The north end of the pond is silted in and looks like its been dug up by humans.

There are also a few pools on the other end of the valley that look off limits.

The opposite end of the valley has a trail that leads to some sulfur deposits. but I don't think you can go down to the pools below.

Closeup on the opposite end of the valley.

If you keep going around the lake, there is a small pavilion where you can soak you feet in the hot spring water. 

Lover's Waterfall 情人瀑布

Right across the street from Sulfur Valley is Lover's Waterfall.

The waterfall is only a one minute walk from the raod and is easy to get to.

Also if you have time you should checkout the nearby Longfeng Valley hot spring just up the road.

Thanks for reading and be sure to stay tuned for more of our blogs on Yangmingshan to come.

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