Zhaori Hot Springs Taiwan 2026: Sunrise Soak Review
Waking up at 4:40 AM is entirely worth it when the reward is soaking in a rare volcanic saltwater hot spring while watching the sun rise over the Pacific.
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Waking up at 4:40 AM is entirely worth it when the reward is soaking in a rare volcanic saltwater hot spring while watching the sun rise over the Pacific.
Green Island (Ludao) Travel, Taitung, Taiwan
I recently spent an action-packed 2 days and 1 night on Green Island (Ludao) in Taitung, Taiwan.
While I spent the previous day cruising
around the island on my rented scooter,
there was a very specific reason I didn't return it that night.
I needed it for a pre-dawn ride to the legendary Zhaori Hot Springs.
Zhaori Hot Springs is located
a few miles away from the main "downtown" area of Green Island,
making it way too far to reach on foot.
📍 Ludao Township
951 Ludao Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
📍 Zhaori Hot Springs
No. 167, Wenquan Rd, Gongguan Village, Ludao Township, Taitung County, Taiwan 951
Since taxis are practically non-existent on the island,
having your own scooter is essentially mandatory
if you want to make it there before sunrise.
While there are countless incredible hot springs
across Taiwan and Japan, saltwater hot springs heated by
volcanic lava are incredibly rare.
In fact, there are only three of them in the entire world!
You'll find one in Kyushu, Japan, another in Sicily, Italy,
and the third is the one we are visiting today:
Zhaori Hot Springs in Taiwan.
Here, seawater and groundwater mix
before being naturally heated by the island's
underground volcanic lava.
The water is colorless and odorless, but packed with rare minerals
that are famous for boosting your metabolism.
It does have that signature salty ocean taste,
but it's surprisingly gentle and non-irritating on the skin.
The name "Zhaori" (朝日) literally translates to
"morning sun," and true to its name,
it's renowned as the ultimate spot for a sunrise soak.
What to bring: Towel, swimsuit, and a swim cap are MANDATORY (you'll have to buy them on-site if you forget) Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 AM / 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
To catch the elusive sunrise,
my alarm went off at a brutal 4:40 AM.
(I think this is the first time in my life
I've ever woken up this early just to take a bath!)
Starting up my electric scooter,
I rode down the completely empty, pitch-black roads.
With the cool ocean breeze hitting my face,
any lingering sleepiness instantly vanished.
After about a 15-minute ride, I arrived.
It was exactly 5:00 AM, and the gates were already open.
Adult admission is 250 TWD (~$8).
You can pay in cash right at the entrance.
If you're short on cash,
or if you want to rack up some Trip.com rewards
(their loyalty perks are actually
pretty fantastic once you level up),
I highly recommend booking your tickets
in advance through Trip.com for the exact same price.
>> Book Zhaori Hot Springs Tickets on Trip.com <<
I grabbed a basket for my belongings.
Rather than a polished tourist resort,
this feels much more like a local public bathhouse,
so keep your expectations for luxury facilities in check.
There are coin lockers available,
but most people just put their clothes and valuables
in a basket and carry it out to the pools.
A quick shower before entering the pools is mandatory.
I changed at lightning speed and was the first one out.
The sun hadn't even begun to peek over the horizon yet.
A quick heads up: swim caps are strictly enforced in the water.
The staff are eagle-eyed and will definitely call you out
if you try to sneakily take yours off.
I saw a few people trying to remove their caps
just to get a cute Instagram shot,
but you absolutely cannot be in the water when you do.
Soaking in hot seawater...
it's a wonderfully bizarre sensation as you sink in.
You just set your personal basket
and flip-flops right by the edge while you relax.
The complex itself isn't massive.
There are three main outdoor open-air pools,
one spa pool, and one terraced pool.
Since it wasn't overly crowded at dawn,
there was plenty of space to stretch out.
While enjoying the warm water and waiting for dawn,
I heard a sudden murmur from the crowd. I looked out over the ocean,
and a brilliant red sun was finally breaking the horizon.
Watching a sunrise while immersed in a hot spring...
it's an absolute bucket-list experience.
Despite the early hour, the air wasn't too chilly,
and with my body enveloped in the ~100°F (38°C) seawater,
the moment felt completely magical.
A group of local Taiwanese girls
started a full-blown photoshoot, taking turns posing.
Honestly... with literally everyone in the pool watching,
I felt way too self-conscious
to even attempt my own photoshoot.
The morning light almost gave off a sunset vibe.
It wasn't even 7:00 AM yet,
but it brightened up rapidly and people started to head out.
The morning session runs until 10:00 AM.
They close during the middle of the day because the sun gets intensely hot.
Before leaving, I strolled over to the boiling area.
Right by the ocean, there are well-like structures
where you can boil eggs and corn in the geothermally heated water.
(You can buy the raw eggs and corn at the front counter).
Unfortunately, they only sell them in large bundles,
not individually. Since I was traveling solo,
I just had to settle for watching other people enjoy their snacks.
Saying goodbye to the now-empty hot springs.
I noticed a staircase leading up to an observation deck
above the facility, so before hopping back on my scooter,
I decided to check it out.
From this elevated vantage point, you get a sweeping view
of the entire hot spring complex against the ocean backdrop.
I've heard professional photographers love this spot,
and it's easy to see why.
Zhaori Hot Springs was undeniably one of the absolute highlights
of my trip to Taiwan's Green Island.
I'm normally terrible at waking up early,
but watching the sunrise from a volcanic saltwater pool
is an experience you absolutely must have at least once in your life.
>> Book Zhaori Hot Springs Tickets on Trip.com <<
Another huge perk of visiting Green Island?
The accommodations are incredibly budget-friendly.
A lot of scuba divers and snorkelers
book expensive all-inclusive packages,
but booking your stays and activities separately is much cheaper. Give it a try!
Zhaori Hot Spring in Green Island is quite a distance from the bustling town center, making it difficult to reach on foot. To enjoy the sunrise hot spring before dawn, using a scooter is practically essential, and it takes approximately 15 minutes.
When using the hot spring, a towel, swimsuit, and swimming cap are essential. These items can also be purchased on-site. Wearing a swimming cap is mandatory when entering the pools, and staff regularly check for compliance.
Zhaori Hot Spring operates from 5 AM to 10 AM, and from 4 PM to 11 PM. The adult admission fee is 250 TWD, which can be paid in cash on-site or purchased in advance through Trip.com.
Zhaori Hot Spring is a colorless and odorless saltwater hot spring formed by a mixture of seawater heated by volcanic lava and groundwater. As its name suggests, it is famous for enjoying a hot spring bath while watching the sunrise, and its rare components are known to have beneficial effects on metabolism.
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