February 15, 2023
Here, I want to share my experience hiking to the Lisong Hot Springs (栗松溫泉).
The springs have become popular in recent years. The spring consists of several small basins which are man made and are filled by hot mineral water that is coming out of the mountain walls which forms beautiful waterfalls. There is green chemical residue that make the walls look like they are coated in jade stone.
It is a special place far away from mass tourism. It says a lot about Taiwan society and culture that such a place can still exist unharmed from human influence. Besides a shovel that has been left there to help maintain the water basins, there is almost no visible impact from people. The river itself is absolutely beautiful and a spectacular sight.
Visit to LiSong hot springs in summer 2024.
The closest big city is Taidong and the next smaller city is Chishang. From Chishang it is a two to three hour drive on the mountain road that connects Chishang on the east coast and Tainan on the west coast (Southern Cross-Island Highway, 南橫公路). Driving there needs experience with driving in mountain areas and personally I would not try to drive it on a scooter, although it is certainly possible. For navigation use these coordinates:Last part of the big road that can be driven by normal cars.
The trailhead to the hotsprings is located here.
It is possible to drive the roughly two kilometers down to the trailhead by car. However, I am sure it is not possible to drive back up after medium rain unless the car is a SUV or jeep so it is probably better to hike down.
There is no touristic development there. You cross over the property of local farmers who allow passing through to the hiking path. Needless to say that this untouched nature needs to be treated with the highest respect.
Hiking down to the river takes about one hour. There are lots of ropes to make the descent quite easy if you are in good health. Once arrived at the river it needs to be crossed. Shoes that do not break when immersed in the river water are a must since it is quite slippery and the current is strong. After that there is about fifteen minuts of rock climbing or taking shortcuts through the river if the water level is low which is on an intermediate level, especially on the way back as on overcoming one boulder you cannot see where your feet is stepping on as you have to let yourself down backwards.
Video of the hot spring without commentary or music.