Taipei City Government

While most visitors know about the excellent hot spring facilities in Beitou, fewer people realize that the northern district of Taipei also produces quality yunohana (‘hot spring flowers’ – crystalline compounds found in the environment surrounding hot springs). To promote product recognition, identification, and value of the hot spring flowers produced in Beitou, the Department of Economic Development (DOED) implemented a full production management mechanism to ensure the quality of these crystal snowflakes, receiving a stamp which serves as a certificate on the original source of production issued by the Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. In a matter of two years, the gross output of the yunohana industry in Beitou has exceeded NT$25 million. While 20 businesses submitted applications for the stamp of authenticity, only 6 were approved due to the difficulty in meeting the requirements such as strict monitoring process on production, rigorous certification standards, and green light from third party inspection. During the press conference promoting the hot spring flowers, spokesperson and skincare specialist Niu Er noted that the component of sulfur in the hot spring water of Beitou makes it one of the more special places across 17 hot spring areas across the island. The residue resulting from mineral property mixing with water helps keep the skin clean. He agreed to the position as spokesperson because his shares the belief in using natural products to help sustain the environment. DED Commissioner Lin Chung-chieh also presented the certificate of production to the six businesses approved by the City for their yunohana products at the event. He also promoted the upcoming raffle event to market the product. For more information, please visit the Chinese facebook fan page of “Hot Spring Flower Baby Bo (湯花寶寶Bo)” (https://www.facebook.com/iliketaipei)