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●Introduction to Beitau distinguishing Culture Beautiful Scenery surrounded by Mountains and Rivers Glamorous Fusion of Tradition and Modernity Beitau has become a famous hot spring tourist area since the time during Japanese Colonization. With valuable hot spring resources, historic buildings, rich traditional culture, professional huge hospitals, and sensitive ecological environments of Guangdu(關渡) and Yangmingshan(陽明山) nearby, Beitau is a perfect tourist district fusing tradition and Modernity. ●Rich Natural Scenery Beitau is located on the southwestern side of Datun Volcano Group(大屯山系) in Yangmingshan National Park(陽明山國家公園), which consists of more than 20 volcanoes. Surrounded by Mt. Datun(大屯山), Mt. Qising(七星山), and Mt. Shamao(紗帽山), Beitau stands far apart facing Danshui River. The geographic feature makes Beitau becoming a pretty hot springs tourist district. Although volcanic outbreaks in Yangmingshan area has tailed off, there still are various signs of post-volcanic activity today, such as stream vents, sulfur gas and hot springs. These incredible particularly geological phenomena attract to many tourists.  ●Diverse Traditional CulturesBeitau was once a special area where Taiwanese aborigines and Han people lived together. It has resulted Beitau to different racial backgrounds creating diverse culture. Since the sulfur mining industry was developed during the Manchu Dynasty, Beitau was one of the oddest towns in Taipei. During the Japanese colonization, the growing hot spring tourism brought Beitau into a red-light district. Toady Visiting Beitau is just like walking in a historic map weaved with diverse cultures including aborigines-style place names, Han-style streets and markets, and Japanese-style hotels and temples. ●Bird Watching Location Guandu Plain(關渡平原), located on the left wing of Beitau, is a perfect place for bird watching. Surrounded by Datun Volcano Group(大屯山系), Mt. Quanyin(觀音山), and Linkou Tableland(林口台地), Guandu plain where Jilong River(基隆河) is across Danshui River(淡水河) provides favorable habitats for migrant birds. As well as hundreds kinds of bird, Guangdu is also a homeland of various plants and aquatics. With diverse ecosystems and natural sceneries, Guangdu has become a byword of ecological beauty in Taiwan. The good bicycle communications system here offers people a chance to have fun to run after the red sunset. ●Historic Hot spring Industry Since Hirita Gengo (平田源吾) set up Tiangouan Hot Spring Hotel in 1896, Beitau has been occupying a leading place in Taiwanese hot spring industry. While Tiangouan(天狗庵) was the first hot spring hotel of Taiwan, the aborigines and Han farmers in Beitau were the people first soaking themselves in hot spring steams in Taiwan, and they made outdoor hot spring bath being a trend in Taiwan then. During the time before W.W.II, the hot spring hotels managed by Taiwanese businessmen used to have Han-style music shows, which distinguish the hotels from those run by Japanese. After W.W.II, the sex industry and prostitution once became legal in Taiwan, and Beitau was one of the most popular lands of tender for American soldiers and Japanese tourists then. In 1979, Taiwanese government began to ban sex industry. Since only licensed prostitutes were allowed to offer their body for sale, many call-girls lose their job, and the businesses of hot spring hotels in Beitau were getting slack rapidly. In the 1990s, some businessmen began to operate new style hot spring hotels in Beitau and emphasized professional modern services. With the aid of the government, these hotel owners infused modern leisure activities into the traditional hot springs culture. It turned Beitau into a new page and hot spring tourism became trendy again. In 2000, a series of activities named ‘International Hot Springs Festival’ hold in Beitau. Since then, a festival called ‘the Love of Flowers and Hot Springs” was connecting the hot springs industry and other tourist spots nearby Beitau. The yearly festival is usually taken place in the flower season of Yangningshan. It is one of the most attractive festivals in Taipei. ●Outstanding Modern Medical Service There are several professional teaching hospitals in Beitau. Rich medical sources bring a good chance for Beitau to develop medical tourism. Tourists may make an appointment with the initiation hospital which offers medical tourism programs. Spending few hours to take a health examination and having fun to visit the scenic spots around Beitau or soak in hot springs, it is definitely a wise option for tourists to save time and money. |
