Su'ao Cold Spring Park Introduction
The unique "World's No. 1 Spring," Su'ao Cold Spring, is located in the northern part of Su'ao Township and is regarded as one of the two natural underground treasures of the Lanyang Plain, alongside Jiaoxi Hot Spring. It is said that in the early days, the people of the Su'ao area often found insects dead in the cold spring water, mistakenly believing that the spring water was toxic and thus avoiding it. During the Japanese colonial period, Taiwan's first governor, Governor Ushijima, stopped to bathe in Su'ao Cold Spring while heading to explore Nanao. After bathing, he felt an extraordinary cooling sensation and a revitalized spirit; similarly, a Japanese soldier, Chikunchu Shinkei, who had consumed the cold spring water during military travels experienced a huge boost in vitality! After retiring, Chikunchu settled in Su'ao Township and began researching the components of the cold spring, ultimately confirming that the spring was not only non-toxic but also had special therapeutic effects, making it a source of pride for the residents of Su'ao to this day. It is said that regular soaking in Su'ao Cold Spring is beneficial for the skin and is regarded as a natural beauty product among local women, with benefits for stomach and lung ailments, as well as kidney stones, bladder stones, gout, diabetes, and various chronic obesity conditions. Interestingly, not only did Chikunchu confirm the therapeutic effects of the cold spring, but he also recognized the high carbon dioxide content and unique refreshing taste, leading him to establish Taiwan's first soda factory, "Qixing Cold Soda Factory," at the foot of Qixing Mountain, producing the well-received and popular "marble soda." A Japanese businessman, Nakamura Shinichi, utilized the cold spring's characteristics to set up a factory by the Baimi Bridge to produce "yokan." Although marble soda is no longer produced, "yokan" remains a representative specialty of Su'ao Cold Spring. The Su'ao Cold Spring is a "low-temperature mineral spring" with a constant temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, formed by the abundant rainfall in Yilan and the thick limestone layers in the Su'ao area. The spring water is colorless and odorless, with transparent quality, and bubbles occasionally rise from the ground, making it a carbonated spring suitable for both bathing and drinking. The continuous emergence of fine bubbles at the bottom of the pool feels as if one is soaking in sugar-free soda, making it quite special.
