Wenshan Hot Spring in Taroko Gorge

Wenshan Hot Spring is accessible via a short hike that branches off the Central Cross Island Highway (Highway 8) in Taroko National Park. Coming from Tianxiang village, you will come to a small parking lot along the road just before you enter a tunnel. Park here and walk along the road towards the tunnel and the trailhead will be on the right, just before the tunnel entrance. This pathway will take you down a series of stairs to a suspension bridge that crosses over the river. Cross the bridge and take a left down the well-worn stairs. Use caution because the stairs can get really slippery and the handrail is missing in some places.

At the bottom of the stairs you will see what used to be the hot spring filled concrete pools, now completely filled in by landslides and typhoons. To enjoy the hot spring, climb down the concrete wall along the side of the river, where rocks have been piled up to section off the hot spring water from the cold Dasha River, forming several small pools. This is an incredibly scenic spot, surrounded by the gorge walls, lush tropical vegetation, and the beauty of the river. There is also another pool around the corner to the left in a small cave that is a bit deeper, and much hotter due to the fact that the hot spring water is not mixing with the much cooler river.

In 2005 a landslide caused the hot spring to be closed by the park. Today, while the park officially does not recommend entering the hot spring area due to the risk of landslides, it has still been made accessible. There is a metal gate blocking the entrance to the stairs on the other side of the suspension bridge, but it can be easily bypassed around the side. Note that Taroko National Park has frequent landslides, especially after heavy rains, so always be aware and enter this area at your own risk.      

While you're in the area, be sure to check out the nearby Baiyang Waterfall.