I had some time to kill before going to work, a rarity awarded to me during Shida’s semester breaks, so I decided to walk from Xinbeitou Station [新北投站] to Zhongzheng Mountain [中正山]. I didn’t know anything about the mountain, I just saw a picture of its location on the area map located inside the MRT station. Along the way I got lost changed my mind and decided to stop at the Liuhuangku Geothermal Scenic Area [硫磺谷地熱景觀區].
Silver Grass [Miscanthus floridulus] is a very hardy plant that can survive this unforgiving environment.
The only signage in the area is in Chinese, which explains why the English version of Yangmingshan National Park’s website has no information on the area.
The only animal life I saw was the pack of about a dozen stray dogs that made a home near the warm vents.
The sulfuric gases and acidic springs scorch and erode the surrounding rocks.
If you only have time for one geothermal scenic area while in Taiwan I would suggest Xiaoyoukeng [小油坑] over Liuhaungku.
As I was leaving, I noticed this couple getting their wedding pictures taken along the side of the area’s lake. The groom-to-be was a lot more happy about the rain and smell of sulfur than his soon-to-be wife. She did manage to crack a smile for the camera, but in between shots she didn’t seem too enthusiastic about the shoot.
If you want to get there without walking, you can take the S9 or S7 buses from Beitou MRT Station to Datong Zhijia Station [大同之家站].
The Daily Bubble Tea 
Good essay Todd. I used to live over the hill on Shamao Shan. The expats all called it Cherry Hill. I lived close to a waterfall and unfortunately the fresh air there had a sulphur content as well which wreaked havoc on my Sennheiser headphones. Went through 2 pair before I just said fuggedaboutit.
that looks so pretty todd. but its on the way from one MRT station to another?
Not so much between one MRT Station and the other. I would suggest taking the MRT to either Beitou or Xinbeitou Station and then getting on the 小9 to 大同之家 Station and exploring Liuhuangku a bit, afterwards you can hop back on the 小9 and head up to Yangmingshan Station [陽明山站] or Zhuzi Lake [(If going during Lily Season mid-March through April)竹子湖]. Or you can take bus #219 from Beitou or Xinbeitou Station to 大同之家 Station and afterwards take the same bus up to Yangmingshan Visitor’s Center [陽明公園服務中心] or Lengshuikeng [冷水坑遊客服務站].