Longfeng 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. Longfeng Valley remains as a mostly untouched natural pool that retains its natural beauty without man made structures surrounding it. 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. Longfeng Valley literally means "Dragon and Phoenix Valley." Longfeng Valley remains as a mostly untouched natural pool that retains its natural beauty without man made structures surrounding it. Hours: 24/7 Tours: You can book a Bath of the Gods Hot Spring Tour at Beitou, Taipei, 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou or Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Bus: From Xinbeitou MRT station, take the 508 shuttle bus up the mountain to Dunu Vocational High School of Business, and then walk about five minutes down to the valley. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: From downtown Beitou, drive up Quanyuan Road until you reach Longfenggu Visitor's Center. You can park at the visitor's center or down in the valley below. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: I have been to Longfeng Valley once. It is a cool place to explore and enjoy some unique scenery and geology in Taiwan.
There is a small road that goes down into the valley. From the side of the road you can already see sulfur vents coming out of the ground.
View of the area from the road coming down.
At the bottom of the valley is a dirk parking lot and a large hot spring pool that is too hot to swim in.
There is hot spring water pouring from those rocks into the pool.
And there is a hot spring river flowing in between pools.
Another view of the hot spring river flowing through the dirt.
The trail continues along ths rocky patch of sulfur vents.
Closer view of more steam vents and small hot sprins in the rocks.
Grassy part of the valley.
More sulfur vents, and pipes likely to haul out spring water.
Nearby the valey you can visit the Longfenggu visitor's center, and there is a cemetery on the top of the hill with some great views.
Excellent view of Tianmu in Shilin from the top of the hill.
If you come down the valley, you can also visit the old Xinbeitou train station, which has been restored from the Japanese era. For more about this train station, check out this blog by Josh Ellis.
And while you are in the area, you might as well soak in the local hot springs.
You can book a Bath of the Gods Hot Spring Tour at Beitou, Taipei, 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou or Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Check out our full guide to Yangmingshan National Park here. Check out our Taipei hiking and trails guide here. Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here. Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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