Hi,
we are planning to go to Guguan the next weekend and looking for recommendations for hot springs. There are so many, so does anyone know a good resort for a day hot spring?
I havent been there since 99 so forgive me if this hotel is not there anymore. But my fav place there was right across this tiny suspension bridge , across the gorge there. Its not the bigger suspension footbridge that goes to the zoo but further into the mountains just a little bit theres another smaller suspension footbridge that goes right to a hotel. This little hotel had a wonderful restaurant and wonderful clean rooms with a japanese style (means small but deep) jacuzzi hotspring tubs. You park your car in their parking lot and then walk across this small suspension bridge right into the hotel.
However, if you are a large european you may only be able to bathe half your bod at one time (thats what my large european friend said when he visited).
It was 1600 a nite in 99. Or 100nt a person to use the communal (sex separated) hotspring bath they had down there with a hot and cold pool.
Guguan is a much nicer place than a few years back. No recommendations for springs but I do recommend during the day you visit nearby Baxianshan Forest Recreation Area. Lovely wooded area with clear trails, high mountain scenery and a cool outdoor area where you can drink tea and watch indigenous blue magpies flitter about.
I saw at least 15 of those things yesterday right behind my house. Gorgeous birds.
And I also want to know about that Guguan area, as our next-door neighbour gave us keys on Saturday for her unoccupied family place (with its own swimming pool) in that area, with carte-blanche to go there whenever we want.
cool, thanks so much! I will report back if we find a nice place and we will definitely see the forest… I love the mountains!
I saw at least 15 of those things yesterday right behind my house. Gorgeous birds.
And I also want to know about that Guguan area, as our next-door neighbour gave us keys on Saturday for her unoccupied family place (with its own swimming pool) in that area, with carte-blanche to go there whenever we want.[/quote]
Guguan used to be a unpleasant run down hot spring town but I was there in spring and while still crowded it was looking nice. As I say, Baxianshan is really lovely and a great birdwatching venue. Lots of open space for wee Sandy to run about.
One very odd thing about the area to notice on the drive up or down is all the little villages have actually painted the outside of their buildings. 
It was so conspicuous. 'Oh my god look, that outside wall which normally would have gray wall cancer is actually yellow!"
Btw, milkalex, if you are in the taichung area I would still recommend Tainan Hot Springs over Guguan. Just an hour drive and you can first go for swims in the river pools then hot spring. Not overdeveloped and beautiful hot spring facilities and mountain scenery.
I guess we have to start early on saturday, my gps says it takes around 2 hours from downtown Taichung by scooter. How does one go to Baxianshan? Hiking?
Oh I’ve been there once a couple years back, it was during a typhoon and it was raining heavy all day and we were the only guests there… but it was great to enjoy the hot water while it was raining outside… it was not in Tainan city though but a few ks north… I remember we took a taxi from Tainan to there and paid around 1000NT…
Oh I’ve been there once a couple years back, it was during a typhoon and it was raining heavy all day and we were the only guests there… but it was great to enjoy the hot water while it was raining outside… it was not in Tainan city though but a few ks north… I remember we took a taxi from Tainan to there and paid around 1000NT…[/quote]
Sorry, I meant Tai’an not Tainan. It’s in Miaoli County.
I see, we will stick to guguan this time and try it next time as it is the same distance. Thanks anyway!
Not far before Guguan you’ll see the turnoff for Baxianshan to the right. Can’t miss it as you have to pass by the turnoff. Follow the road a km or 2 into the parking lot. The trails are well marked in English and Chinese. Just head in.