Beitou Thermal Valley

Date CapturedJanuary 23rd, 2016 at 10:15 UTCCameraNIKON D3100LensAF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IIApertureƒ / 3.5Shutter Speed1/30 secFocal Length18.0 mmISO400Exposure Value8.5 EVOriginal Size3600 × 2400

A steaming geothermal pond at the head of the Beitou Stream, known locally as “Hell Valley” (地獄谷) after accounts of visitors falling into its near-boiling waters. The green sulfur spring (青磺泉) reaches 90°C and is extremely acidic at pH 1.4 to 1.6, containing trace amounts of radium. It serves as a source for many of the bathhouses further downhill. During the Japanese colonial era the site was celebrated as one of Taiwan’s Eight Views and Twelve Scenic Wonders under the name “Jade Mist of the Sulfur Spring” (磺泉玉霧). Today it is readily visited as a free tourist attraction with a pathway encircling the pond.