Su'ao Cold Spring Park Introduction
The unique "World's First Wonder Spring," Su'ao Cold Spring, is located in the northern part of Su'ao Township and is one of the two natural underground treasures of the Lanyang Plain, alongside Jiaoxi Hot Springs. It is said that in the early days, the people in the Su'ao area often found insects dead in the cold spring water, mistakenly believing that the spring water was toxic and dared not approach it. During the Japanese colonial period, Taiwan's first governor, Tetsu Katsuura, bathed in the Su'ao Cold Spring while on an expedition to Nanao and felt not only an incredible refreshment but also a boost in spirit after bathing. There was also a Japanese soldier, Nobutaka Takenaka, who, after drinking the cold spring water during a military trip, felt a surge of energy! After retiring, Takenaka settled in Su'ao Township and began researching the components of the cold spring, eventually proving that the spring was not only non-toxic but also had special therapeutic effects, which continue to this day and are a source of pride for the residents of Su'ao Township. It is said that frequent soaking in Su'ao Cold Spring is beneficial for the skin and is regarded as a natural beauty secret among local women. Additionally, it helps with stomach and lung diseases, as well as ailments like kidney stones, bladder stones, gout, diabetes, and various chronic obesity issues. Interestingly, not only did Takenaka verify the therapeutic effects of the cold spring, but he also recognized its rich carbonation and unique refreshing taste. He established Taiwan's first soda factory, "Qixingshui Soda Factory," at the foot of Qixingshan, producing the widely popular and trendy "marble soda." The Japanese businessman Shinichi Nakamura also took advantage of the characteristics of the cold spring to establish a factory by the Baimi Bridge to produce "yokan." Although marble soda is no longer in production, yokan remains a representative specialty of Su'ao Cold Spring. The Su'ao Cold Spring is characterized as a "low-temperature mineral spring" with a constant temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Due to the abundant rainfall in Yilan and the thick limestone strata in Su'ao, it was formed naturally. The water is colorless, odorless, and transparent, with bubbles occasionally rising from the bottom, making it a carbonated spring that can be both bathed in and drunk. The continuous emergence of fine bubbles at the bottom creates an experience reminiscent of soaking in sugar-free soda, which is quite special.
