Admiring Cherry Blossoms and Soaking in Hot Springs in Jinshan to Enjoy Therapeutic Trip in Winter and Spring
On wet and cold winter days when you even shiver while sleeping, do you just want to snuggle up in the comforter? The idea of “it would be so nice to soak in hot springs” will inevitably come to your mind on cold days. Actions speak louder than words. Now pluck up your courage to step outside and drive to Taiwan’s Northern Coast to soak in hot springs! When you soak in mist-covered hot springs, warmth spreads throughout your whole body, which helps blood vessels dilate, boost the circulation of blood, and get rid of wetness and coldness in the body.Jinshan at Taiwan’s Northern Coast possesses rich geothermal resources and gorgeous coastal capes. You walk along the Lion’s Head Mountain trail to the high point of Jinshan Cape to admire vast ocean views and Twin Candlestick Islets. Then you return to Zhongshan Hot Spring Park from the majestic, mysterious coast to pamper your feet with the golden hot spring. Next, you can visit Jinbaoli Old Street to enjoy seafood and local delicacies!Before soaking in Jinshan hot spring, how can you miss the beautiful scenery of Jinshan? After you park your car in the brand-new Jinshan parking tower, bundle yourself up and walk along the Lion’s Head Mountain trail toward the point where the land meets the sea. The trail is easy to walk. It takes only 35 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the high point. The Lion’s Head Mountain trail used to be the military control zone, so it was not accessible to the public. However, it has preserved the native ecosystem of the coastline. As there is a forest along the trail, the ecosystem is not easily affected by the sea wind. You can even see deserted barracks, lookouts and other military ruins. Upon arriving at Zhongzheng Pavilion, you can enjoy the spacious view surrounded by waters on three sides: Yeliu Cape and Keelung Islet to your east, and Huanggang to your west.Twin Candlestick Islets standing in the center of the sea in front of you are formed by two giant connecting sea stacks. They look like a pair of candlesticks standing still in the sea in despite of surging waves. The unique scenery has become the symbol of Jinshan District Office. Twin Candlestick Islets used to be at the tip of Jinshan Cape, but they have turned into islets in the sea due to plate movement and coastal erosion. A circular frame has been set up next to Zhongzheng Pavilion, and it is the best location to check in!Going back to the trail from Zhongzhang Pavilion, we descend as sea level gradually drops. What welcome us are the sea stretching to the horizon and wave-cut platforms. This is the east coast of Jinshan Cape, which is also known as the Mysterious Coast. You can feel the surging sea within a short distance as waves crash against jagged rocks that extend hundreds of meters.👉The road condition of the Mysterious Coast is easily affected by tides. Therefore, if waves are strong, it is recommended that you return and stay on Lion’s Head Mountain trail for the sake of your safety. Let’s soak in the hot spring at once after feasting our eyes on beautiful scenery. Walking along the Mysterious Coast, we arrive at Zhongshan Hot Spring Park after passing by Shuiwei Fishing Port. The park that is adjacent to Jinshan Old Street is now open to the public again after four years of renovation. The park has foot-soaking pools, a landscape waterway, landscape pool, banyan tree square and other facilities. It is a new hot spot of Route 2 Taiwan in New Taipei City.Jinshan is Taiwan’s northernmost hot spring area, and it belongs to the geothermal area of Datun Mountain. It has been a well-known hot spring resort since Japanese Colonial Period. The hot spring in Zhongshan Hot Spring Park has won the name of “golden hot spring” because it is rich in iron, and it turns golden brown after it contacts air. There are two foot-soaking pools in Zhongshan Hot Spring Park. The temperature in one pool is between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius, and the other is between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius. You can choose the foot-soaking pool based on your needs to relieve the fatigue of your feet with the golden hot spring.👉The foot-soaking pools are open until 5PM every day. Please clean your feet at the foot washing station before getting into the pool.Many Taiwan cherry blossoms have been planted on both sides of the landscape waterway at Zhongshan Hot Spring Park. They bloom in the park between January and March during the lunar new year to add color to monotonous winter. You can come to the hot spring park to admire gorgeous cherry blossoms in full bloom while soaking your feet in the hot spring leisurely.Of course, you do not enjoy yourself to the full if you just soak your feet in the hot spring. Jinshan District has many public bathrooms, private hot spring rooms and hot spring hotels for you to choose from. Jinshan hot spring is unique because it is located right by the sea. Therefore, it has four different kinds of hot springs, sulphur springs, sea sand springs, carbonic acid springs and iron springs. You can choose a private hot spring room that meets your need to help hot springs get rid of coldness in winter, stretching your body and cleansing your mind.After soaking in the hot spring, you might as well enjoy delicious food on Jinshan Old Street. Being called Jinbaoli Old Street in the past, Jinshan Old Street has over three hundred years of history, and it is the largest old street at Taiwan’s Northern Coast. Rich local atmosphere has been preserved. You can see vendors selling the agricultural products of Jinshan, such as red yam and tiaoshi taro. Restaurants on the street serve dishes, such as crab porridge, taro balls and honey yam, with local agricultural products. Have a bowl of seafood porridge and enjoy sweet potato balls to warm your stomach and heart.
Mizuho Pond
