Beitou

Beitou District
	Beitou District
Chinese :	北投區
	; Kuang Ming Rd-1
	Old name:
Region	Northern Taipei
Director	Mei Li Lee (李美麗)
Area; ■ Total	Ranked 2nd of 12; 56.8216 km²
Population; ■ Total; ■ Density	Ranked 5th of 12; 248,965; 4,382/km²
Villages (里; li)	42
Neighborhoods (鄰; lin)	817
ROC zip code	112
	Template ■ Discussion ■ WikiProject Taiwan

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Beitou District (Chinese: 北投區; Tongyong Pinyin: Běitóu Cyu; Hanyu Pinyin: Běitóu Qū; Wade–Giles: Pei-t'ou Ch'ü; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Pak-tâu-khu) is the northernmost of the twelve districts of Taipei City, Taiwan. The historical spelling of the district is Peitou. The name originates from the Ketagalan word Kipatauw, meaning witch. Beitou is the most mountainous and highest of Taipei's districts.

Beitou is famous for its hot springs.^[1] Residents of this district note that sulfuric fumes from the hot springs do ruin their electric appliances in the long term.

There are over thirty resorts in the Beitou Valley alone, one of the largest concentrations in the world with a wide spectrum of hot springs and spas to choose from. A 20-minute train ride north of Taipei takes you to Beitou. A five minute walk from the train station provides a bounty of local stores and boutiques. The resorts and spas are regarded by many locals and international tourists as among the most relaxing and rejuvenating places in the country. Beitou is surrounded by dome-like mountains, rich in foliage and often shrouded by fog and mist, making it exquisitely enticing.

The spas consist of different degree pools (from cool to very hot) and minerals with which to refresh one’s self. Offering something for everyone from the high-powered businessman to families, the spa resorts are the ideal get-away for those wishing to take time off from the hectic “hustle and bustle” of their busy lives. Beitou Valley allows you to be engulfed by its relaxing scenery and tranquility.

A popular activity among Taiwan natives is picnicking with their families in the countryside within Beitou and visiting the hot spring parks where they soak fresh eggs in the hot mineral waters and cook them. A mountainous region encompassing a meadow, the rivers running through the valley have abundant steam rising from them; the result of geothermal warming. The valley is often surrounded by mist shrouding the trees and grass. The families often test the waters before cooking the eggs. Once a small park where locals used to relax in the hot springs, the Beitou valley has evolved today to include some of the world’s most fabulous spa resorts.

[edit] History

Between 1920 and 1941, Beitou was a village (北投庄) in Shichisei-gun (Qixing District), Taihoku Prefecture (台北州七星郡). It was upgraded to a town (北投街) in 1941. After World War II, it was renamed as Beitou urban township (北投鎮), belonging to Taipei County. Beginning in 1949, Beitou and Shilin were administered by the newly-formed Yangminshan Administrative Bureau. Both of them were merged into Taipei City in 1968.

Originated by Japan when Taiwan was part of its colony, the hot springs have improved to include aroma therapy, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and excellent cuisine which complement the entire spa experience. The mineral waters stream from the numerous geothermal vents that occur naturally in the region and are famous for their health benefits.