Su'ao Cold Spring Park Introduction
The exceptional "Number One Cold Spring in the World," Su'ao Cold Spring, is located in the northern part of Su'ao Township and is ranked alongside Jiaoxi Hot Springs as two of the natural underground treasures of the Lanyang Plain. It is said that in the early days, local residents often found insects dead in the cold spring water, mistakenly believing that the spring water was toxic and thus dared not approach. During the Japanese colonial period, Taiwan's first governor, Katsutake Takayama, stopped by Su'ao Cold Spring to bathe while on an expedition to Nanao. After bathing, he not only felt incredibly refreshed but also invigorated. Another anecdote involves a Japanese soldier, Nobuyuki Takenaka, who, after drinking from the cold spring during a military trip, felt revitalized! After retiring, Takenaka settled in Su'ao Township and began researching the components of the cold spring, eventually confirming that it was not only non-toxic but also had special therapeutic effects, becoming a source of pride for the local residents to this day. It is said that regular bathing in Su'ao Cold Spring is beneficial for the skin, and local women refer to it as a natural beauty product. It is also said to help with stomach and lung ailments, as well as conditions such as kidney stones, bladder stones, gout, diabetes, and various chronic obesity issues. Interestingly, Takenaka not only confirmed the therapeutic effects of the cold spring but also noticed the rich carbonation and refreshing taste it provided. He opened Taiwan's first soda factory, "Qixing Cool Soda Factory," at the foot of Qixing Mountain, producing the widely popular "marble soda." A Japanese entrepreneur, Shinichi Nakamura, also utilized the cold spring's properties to set up a factory near the Baimei Bridge to produce "yokan" (a traditional Japanese sweet). Although marble soda is no longer produced, yokan remains a representative specialty of Su'ao Cold Spring. Su'ao Cold Spring is characterized by its constant temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, classifying it as a "low-temperature mineral spring," formed due to the abundant rainfall in Yilan and the thick limestone layer of the Su'ao area. The spring water is colorless and odorless, with transparent quality, occasionally releasing bubbles from the ground, making it a carbonated spring suitable for bathing and drinking. The bubbling at the pool's bottom is continuous, creating the sensation of soaking in a sugar-free soda, which is quite unique.
