The Sichongxi Hot Springs in Checheng Township and the Xuhai (Syuhai) Hot Springs in Mudan Township of Pingtung County are the southernmost hot spring areas in Taiwan.
These springs, known as “Beauty Springs,” are colorless and odorless. In addition to the Sichongxi Hot Spring Park, which becomes a dreamy and dazzling sea of golden lights at night, attracting crowds during the Spring Festival holidays, the Xuhai (Syuhai) Hot Spring area, just a half-hour drive away, is less popular but equally romantic with its light display.
Xuhai Hotspring Area Entrance
Sichongxi Hotspring
Surrounded by mountains, it offers a serene and elegant hot spring experience. A newly built hot spring leisure center was also opened during the Spring Festival, and there are small cultural tours organized by the local indigenous tribes, making it a “small yet beautiful” hot spring area.
旭海溫泉休閒中心 Xuhai Hot Springs Recreation Center
Both the Sichongxi and Syhuai (Xuhai) Hot Springs in Checheng and Mudan Townships, Pingtung County, are located along County Highway 199. Starting from Sichongxi and driving through the mountains, one can reach Xuhai, formerly known as Mudan Bay. It’s a mini indigenous tribe nestled between mountains and facing the Pacific Ocean, boasting beautiful coasts, green meadows, exquisite hot springs, and diverse cultural resources. In recent years, it became popular due to the so-called Alangyi Trail.
旭海溫泉 Xuhai Host Springs
The history of Xuhai Hot Springs dates back a long time, with references found in an 1887 document by a British explorer, indicating that the indigenous people have been using these hot spring resources since ancient times.
The Mudan Township Office considers the Xuhai Hot Springs an important tourist resource. They sought funding from the Council of Indigenous Peoples to establish an indigenous hot spring industry demonstration area, making it the first indigenous area in the country to receive the “Hot Spring Mark.” Next to the old Xuhai Elementary School, they built an indoor hot spring bathhouse, hot spring bathhouses, and an outdoor footbath, attracting over 150,000 visitors in 9 years, playing a leading role in the tourism of the Sihai tribe.
In response to the winter hot spring business, the office secured 37 million NT dollars from the Council of Indigenous Peoples to build a bathhouse leisure center, which also opened during the Spring Festival.
Due to its remote location, Xuhai Hot Springs are less popular than Sichongxi in Checheng. The Mudan Township head, Pan Zhuangzhi, said that Xuhai Hot Springs is the first legally operated public hot spring in an indigenous area to receive the Hot Spring Mark. Compared to Sichongxi, Sihai offers a more secluded hot spring experience, surrounded by mountains, suitable for short trips, hot spring baths, and relaxation.
The township office has established a cooperative management model with the tribe, based on community-building spirit, allowing the indigenous people to use the hot spring resources on their ancestral land sustainably. This harmonious blend of indigenous culture and nature demonstrates the wisdom of life, and they have also designed a winter edition of the tribal ecological and cultural tour.