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Jing Leh Resort Hotel in Guanziling Hot Spring. Author Kamakura.

Top 10 Facts Fun Facts About Guanziling Hot Springs

The Wushanto Guanziling Hot Spring, which was created by an earthquake, is set amid mudrock formations and leafy forests, making them an ideal choice for nature lovers.

 The water in the spring, said to have therapeutic properties that leave skins feeling soft and supple, is a dark gray from mineral deposits. The hot spring was discovered by the Japanese troops in the area and it was named Taiwan’s No. 1 Hot Spring in 1920.

Guanziling hot spring village is located in Baihe district, in the northeastern corner of Tainan County in Southern Taiwan. It is actually closer to Chiayi City (15 kilometers as the crow flies) than Tainan City (40 kilometers).

1. It Earned The Name 鈥淢ud Hot Springs鈥�

Of the many appealing hot springs in Taiwan, Guanziling Hot Spring is one of the most unique. Due to the clay soil in the area, the thermal hot spring water seeps out of the ground with a high concentration of silt, making it muddy in appearance, It was named 鈥渕ud hot springs鈥�.

It is a weak alkaline carbonated spring with a temperature of about 75 degrees Celsius The water is grayish-black in color and contains salts and sulfur, as well as mud. Therefore, it can be bathed but not drunk. After soaking, the whole body is soothed and the skin is smooth and clean.

2. Travelers Can Also Choose To Visit A Hot Spring Resort

There is also an opportunity to choose to visit a hot spring resort to soak in natural pools or to spend the day hiking to the peak of the mountain, where restaurants offer traditional Taiwanese dishes. This will also give you the same experience as if you are in the natural hot spring.

There are at least a dozen hot spring hotels spread out along highways 172 and 175 in Guanziling village.

3. Most Of The Resorts Are Mixed-sex, while Some Even Offer Sex-Segregated Nude Facilities

At most of these hot spring resorts, the facilities are mixed-sex with bathing suits and swimming hats (available for purchase) required.

Most also offer sex-segregated nude facilities and some have private hot spring rooms that you can rent for 60-90 minutes.

4. An Opportunity To Rub Actual Mud On your Faces Also Exists

Not only can visitors soak in this silty water at Guanziling鈥檚 numerous spa resorts, but also they can rub actual mud from the hot spring source on their face or bodies.

The mineral-rich mud is believed to be a cure for skin ailments and enhancement of facial beauty. Most of the spa resorts in the area provide baskets of mud for this purpose.

For this reason, it is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Tainan.

5. Besides The Hot Springs, There Are Also Other Things To Do

Besides the mud hot springs, there are several other things to do around Guanziling. Paying a visit to the quirky Water Fire Cave attraction near the hot spring source is definitely one of them.

Guanziling definitely one of the bucket list experiences in Taiwan and a highlight of visiting Taiwan in winter! It is fairly off-the-beaten-track; even many expats that are living in Taiwan don鈥檛 even know it exists.

Guanziling is a few kilometers east of the point where the coastal plains of Western Taiwan meet the forested foothills that lead up to some of the highest peaks of Taiwan in Yushan National Park.

6. A Suspension Bridge Leads To The Source

Baoquan Bridge is a must-cross suspension bridge to visit the source of the hot springs in Guanziling. It takes only 10 minutes to go around. The source of the mud hot spring is equipped with a protective fence, so please do not enter for your own safety.

Lately, a wooden boardwalk has been set up in the hot spring park that leads to the Haohan Trail and to the Xianyun Bridge in front of the Jin Leh Resort.

At night, bright lights along the trees and streams illuminate the wooden paths, which add allure to the nighttime scenery and make the hot spring village feel more romantic and a great pleasure to enjoy a leisurely stroll after a relaxing bath.

7. King鈥檚 Garden Villa Is The Most Popular Hot Spring Spa Hotel

King鈥檚 Garden Villa is the most popular, and arguably best hot spring spa hotel in Guanziling. This huge resort is the third largest mud hot spring facility in the world, according to the hotel鈥檚 website.

The hot spring area includes over a dozen hot spring pools, including muddy and non-muddy, cold and hot pools, massage tubs, scented pools, and a large outdoor non-heated swimming pool.

The hotel itself is European style, and most rooms come with private hot spring bathtubs. The Tuscany Rooms have tubs on a private outdoor terrace (see picture below).

8. There Is Also An Opportunity For Children And Low Key Stays

 Toong Mao Resort could also be considered as the second best large hot spring hotel in Guanziling. The resort also features several outdoor muddy hot springs (though not quite many or as varied at King鈥檚 Garden) and the chance to rub mud on your body.

Toong Mao also has an indoor playground for young kids, making it a suitable overnight option for anyone traveling around Taiwan with kids.  

Aside from the above mentioned Lin Shiquan could be ideal for a more low-key stay. It is an attractive accommodation a short drive off the main road. It has more character than the big resorts in town and the opportunity to take a mud bath in a more private setting. Visitors seem to love it.

9. Several Camping Grounds Have Also Been Provided In The Hills

There are several campgrounds in the hills around Guanziling. Expect bunnies, beautiful natural surroundings, lots of families, but no mud hot springs on site.  

10. It Releases Methane

The hot spring is located at an altitude of 270 meters above sea level. This rare spring releases methane,

which has been burning constantly for around three centuries.