08:00
Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07), Exit 2
Meet your tour guide and driver in the morning before your
Yangmingshan day tour, then take a 30-40 min ride to the nearest national park
in Taipei.
08:40-08:50 Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch (photo stop)
On the way to Yangmingshan National Park you will stop-by at Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch. Located in Beitou Park and near Beitou Hot Spring Museum, this beautiful library was selected by famous travel website as one of the 10 Coolest Examples of “Green Buildings.” A famous online culture magazine also recognized it as one of The 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World.
09:00-09:30 Beitou Hot Spring Museum
The next stop on your Yangmingshan tour package is Beitou Hot Spring Museum was built during the Japanese colonial era. The Tudor-style building has a brick and wood facade and black tile roof, with its the 1st level consisting with a small bath and a large bath. The 2nd level is consisted with a huge Tatami lobby and a balcony with a special exhibition area that has early Taiwanese film documents displayed. This is a good spot to learn about Beitou’s rich hot spring culture and history.
09:40-10:20 Geothermal Valley
Geothermal Valley, the next destination on your Yangmingshan day trip, is not far away from the library. It is one of the sources of sulfur that supply this area’s hot spring. Because of the high temperature, the sulfuric steam fog rises from the pool’s surface; hence it is also called Hell Valley or Ghost Lake.
11:00-11:20 Yangmingshan Flower Clock
Your Yangmingshan National Park tour continues with a visit to the Yangmingshan Flower Clock—the centerpiece of the national park, which is near the bus station and visitor information center. The flower plants change by season, where visitors can enjoy the bloom all year round.
11:40-11:50 Yangmingshuwu (photo stop)
You will then visit Yangming Shu-Wu Mansion, also known as Zhongxing Guesthouse. It is the summer residence of the late president Chiang Kai-shek for reception of important foreign guests. Today the mansion has become an important site for Taiwan’s history and natural environments.
12:10-13:10 Zhuzihu
Home to Yangmingshan’s Calla Lillies and Hydrangea, Zhuzihu is a farming area hidden away in the mountains. Originally a lava-dammed lake created by the surrounding volcanoes, the area’s unique geology became suitable for farming. Besides the seasonal flowers, Zhuzihu is also well-known for the mountain vegetable cuisine. Don’t miss the chance to try the local treats there!
13:30-14:00 Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area
After that, you will visit the most popular spot in this national park—Xiaoyoukeng (literally means “little oil pit”). This tourist attraction is a post-volcanic geological landscape area, where you can see and smell the steam coming from its cracks and feel the breath of a dormant volcano.
14:10-14:50 Qingtiangang
Then you will visit Qingtiangang, a lava terrace formed when the lava flowed north after the eruption. The terrace was once a ranch for water buffalos grazing during the period under Japanese rules; even today you can still find those naturally bred water buffaloes there.
15:20-15:50 Lengshuikeng Recreation Area (hot-spring foot bath)
The last stop on your Yangmingshan day trip is Lengshuikeng (literally means “cold water pit”), a barrier lake formed by the volcanic lava flowing down from the mountain. The hot spring water is colder than the other areas (around 40 degrees Celsius), hence its name.
16:40 Drop off at Shilin Night Market
Before your Yangmingshan day tour comes to an end, you will enjoy a hot spring foot bath that gives relief to your aching feet and release the tension of your muscles. Then, after the Yangmingshan National Park tour, you may choose to disembark at Shilin Night Market and enjoy the local street foods or drop off at the MRT Zhogxiao Xinsheng Station.
17:00 Drop off at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07)