Lisong Hot Spring & the South Cross-Island Highway: 1 Day

This tour runs only during the December–March dry season — because Lisong Hot Spring is only safe at this time of year.

At 1,547 metres, the trailhead beside the 168.5K marker on the South Cross-Island Highway (南橫公路) drops 400 metres down to the riverbed, leading to Taiwan's most famous wild hot spring. The water is a mildly alkaline sodium-bicarbonate spring, rich in minerals, and the canyon walls — colored by calcium-carbonate crystals and emerald hot-spring algae — have earned it the names "Jade Spring" and "Taiwan's most beautiful spring".

We take small groups only (four people maximum), with a seasoned guide and rope assistance throughout the roped sections.

Want to read the full story first? Jade in the Deep Canyon of the South Cross-Island Highway | Lisong Hot Spring

The Day's Rhythm

• 05:30 Pickup at Taitung Station (an early start to beat the South Cross-Island Highway traffic)
• 07:30 Arrive at the 168.5K trailhead (beside Mota Fude Temple)
• 07:45 Pre-trip gear check and a briefing on the roped sections
• 08:00 Begin the descent — gentle slope → roped section → arrival at the riverbed (about 60 minutes)
• 09:00 At Lisong Hot Spring: soaking, observing the crystal formations and hot-spring algae on the rock face, and photography (about 90 minutes)
• 10:30 Begin the climb back up the same route
• 11:30 Return to the highway and head to Lidao Village (利稻部落) (5 km)
• 12:00 A local Bunun-style lunch in Lidao
• 13:30 A stroll across Tianlong Suspension Bridge (天龍吊橋) (the slot canyon at Wulu Gorge)
• 15:00 Return journey along the South Cross-Island Highway
• 17:30 Arrive at Taitung Station for drop-off

What's Included

• A 4-seat SUV for the entire trip and a seasoned wild-spring guide (certified in mountain rescue)
• Full assistance on the roped sections, with backup safety gear
• One lunch (Bunun-style, in Lidao Village)
• A pre-trip gear checklist and training notes
• Travel liability insurance (with added outdoor-activity coverage)

What's Not Included

• Personal gear (we recommend bringing: grippy shoes, gloves, a light towel, a headlamp, and a warm jacket)
• An optional photographer (if you'd like on-site photos, this can be arranged at extra cost, at the guide's discretion)

Things to Note

• We run this tour only during the December–March dry season. From May to October the river swells in the wet season and the descent becomes deadly — a risk we won't take.
• Fitness threshold: you'll need to climb up and down on your own for 2 hours (including the roped sections). Please let us know about any cardiovascular conditions or recent surgery.
• Weather first: if heavy rain hits the mountains, we cancel — with a full refund or reschedule.
• Environmental responsibility: breaking off crystal formations or taking any "souvenir" is strictly forbidden. We'll stress this again before the trip.
• Highway conditions: the South Cross-Island Highway is occasionally subject to landslides and closures, so we reconfirm 24 hours before departure.
• Small-group policy: a maximum of four people per group, because the roped sections require the guide to protect each person individually.

Who It's For

• People who are physically fit and want to see a natural wonder that is genuinely "Taiwan's finest"
• Adults with outdoor experience (who've hiked the Yangmingshan trails or walked historic mountain routes)
• Travelers who want to leave the tourist trail and step into the real, local mountains
• Not suitable for: pregnant women, children under 6, those with limited mobility, or anyone with cardiovascular conditions

Why We Recommend This One

• ✅ Small groups of four: on the roped sections, safety matters more than efficiency
• ✅ A seasoned guide: a long-standing local partner who knows every rope along the way
• ✅ Driving included: the pre-dawn highway is treacherous and self-driving is high-risk, so we do the driving
• ✅ Paired with Lidao Village: after the soak, a Bunun lunch rounds out the full South Cross-Island cultural experience
• ✅ Limited departures: Lisong isn't suited to mass tourism, and we don't chase volume either

This itinerary is illustrative. Before each departure we confirm highway conditions, guide scheduling, and the Lidao Village lunch partner, aligning every detail.

We take responsibility for conserving the environment at Lisong Hot Spring — breaking off, carving into, or removing any crystal formation is forbidden throughout the trip.