TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei City’s Beitou Hot Spring was recognized as one of Taiwan’s “Top 10 Tourism Spotlights” at an awards ceremony hosted by the Tourism Administration on Tuesday, per a press release.

The award was accepted by Yu Hsiang (余祥), director of the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism, and Chou Shui-mei (周水美), honorary chair of the Taipei Hot Springs Association. The award highlights Beitou’s distinctive natural landscape and rich cultural heritage.

Beitou is known for its hot spring water, which contains the rare radioactive mineral hokutolite (Beitou stone), which it shares with the Tamagawa Onsen in Akita, Japan. These are the only two hot springs in the world with this unique characteristic. 

Unlike many hot spring areas in remote mountain regions, Beitou is easily accessible via the MRT. The neighborhood also boasts popular attractions such as the Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch and the century-old Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

City officials said the recognition underscores Beitou’s achievements in tourism development, cultural preservation, and sustainable management.

With winter approaching, Taipei City Government encourages the public to visit Xinbeitou by MRT. In addition to hot springs, there are local landmarks to explore and regional cuisine to sample.

Six other Taipei attractions were named among “Taiwan’s 100 Tourism Highlights for 2026–2027.” These were the National Palace Museum, Dadaocheng, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Maokong, Taipei 101, and Ximending, each a must-visit destination for both local and international tourists.