Sileng (Taoyuan) January~May
Time: 1~1.5 hours
Review & Difficulty ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Entrance: 24.645321019036807, 121.43518097404163 Hot Spring: 24.63810337511024, 121.43476230158764
Triangular Sileng Hot Spring
Sileng Hot Spring is my top choice for hot springs in Taiwan. At a height of three floors, an outcrop puffs hot water out in a spot, forming a spectacular triangular artificial white painting with a few brown stripes - a feature exclusively owned by Sileng Hot Spring. The main pool is surrounded by rocks in the river and can accommodate up to five people, including a crevice for one person which feels like a steaming room, making the experience quite enjoyable. The pool temperature varies depending mainly on the water flow of Sanguang Creek; the higher the water flow, the lower the temperature. There are also other smaller pools upstream, but they change every year and there is no guarantee of their existence. Generally, if the weather looks fine and there has been no rain for days beforehand, the temperature should be really nice.
Entrance
The warning sign is the entrance. Technically, a warning sign without a fine or a citation of a particular law with its conditions is a mean used widely by Taiwanese local governments for disclaiming their responsibility of compensating people who get injured there, so they are nicknamed “Entrance Signs” among hikers. Just feel fine and go around it.
The spiral hallow tree indicates the beginning of the second part of the path
When planning to visit Sileng Hot Spring, it is suggested that you bring a headlamp, hiking shoes, a cellphone with an offline map, and a pair of aqua shoes or river tracing boots. The path to the hot spring is a little challenging, but short - taking approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of hiking, with only one final river crossing to reach the hot spring pool. The trailhead is located at a red warning sign that says "No Entry" at the back of the roadside barrier. Please note that there are multiple entrances near each other, so it is essential to ensure you are on the correct path to avoid getting lost and stuck.
The Giant Campsite The first part of the trail is relatively mild, leading to a large campsite with enough space for scores of people. Several different paths connect to this giant campsite, but only one of them leads to the hot spring (the one on the left end on the big campsite when facing toward the creek). There might be a marker that says "四稜溫泉," or an offline map can be used to navigate. It is also crucial to remember the path back to the road in case of getting lost. The second part of the trail is the most challenging, with a steep incline and many loose rocks. Much of this section of the trail is on the verge of a cliff, so it's important to exercise caution. Due to the poor condition of the trail, it is highly unrecommended to visit the hot spring on a rainy day.
The big pool with hydraulics in front of Sileng Hot Spring
Other concerns besides the trail should be considered when visiting Sileng Hot Spring. Sanguang Creek is notorious for flooding or a quick rise in water level after a shower. Every year, some people get stuck in the hot spring after going there without checking the weather forecast. The pool of water in the river next to the hot spring has hydraulics that can pull people back towards a waterfall, which is usually weak, but can be strong at high water flow. There have been cases of people drowning there. Therefore, it's essential to check the weather forecast before setting off for the trip and remain cautious of surrounding hazards when visiting this unique and wonderful hot spring.
The Valley at Another Time
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