Spectacular towering peaks with pristine natural environment entice more and more hikers who desire to conquer one of the county's dozens of peaks that surpass 3000m above sea level. In the Yushan National Park alone there are 30 such mountains!

After a major mountain hike you can obviously head straight for the comforts of your city home or you can opt for an on-spot luxury and soak your tired bones and muscles in hot springs — for just within a stone's throw from the national park there is Dongpu (東埔), a hot spring resort. It sits deep in a valley in the immediate vicinity of the mountain slopes.

The "town" itself is principally a small aboriginal Bunun (布農楬) village surrounded by mountains and small farms. There are quite a few beautiful hikes within walking distance such as Rainbow Waterfall. It may also serve as your base for hiking in the Yushan National Park, but the main reason for coming is usually the hot springs. As a matter of fact, except for a cluster of spas there is little more to be found in the town itself, besides possibly a restaurant or two.

Indeed, compared to the popular resorts of Wulai, Beitou, etc., Dongpu is still charmingly underdeveloped. One of the reasons for this state of affairs is that Dongpu Hot Springs suffered major damage in the infamous 921 earthquake and had to be redeveloped (and more facilities were added) and reopened in 2002.

As for the actual spring, its temperature hovers around a comfortable 49 degrees C. It is categorized as carbon-acid pure, clear and odor-free; it is drinkable and has numerous health benefits. Should you suffer from any of the following, Dongpu Hot Springs are apparently just the right thing for you: fatigue, skin damage and injuries, rheumatism, eczema, neurasthenia as well as numerous other diseases and disorders of various nature.

I cannot personally confirm what happens if you suffer from any of these diseases (and am most grateful for the fact), but I definitely agree that soaking in the water when you are dead tired after a long hike is equal to a trip to paradise.

Most hotels not only provide regular pools; there are usually other perks such as massaging jets and saunas.

Besides awesome hotsprings we encountered an aboriginal performance, which is apparently a fairly common occurrence in the hotels. It was, well...something I wouldn't want to see twice, even though the performers were quite enthusiastic and the audience eventually got excited. Whether it was thanks to local liquor or the dance I cannot judge. Also, your dinner is probably better to be had outside the hotel restaurant; at least the one we had was not worth the money.