Antung Hot Springs Introduction
Antong Hot Spring is located along the An-Tong River in Yuli Township, surrounded by beautiful valleys and forests. In earlier years, it was known as "Antong Zhuo Nuan" and was listed as one of Hualien's Eight Scenic Spots. The water temperature of Antong Hot Spring is around 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, and the spring is classified as a weak alkaline "chloride sulfate spring." The water is nearly transparent with a slight hint of hydrogen sulfide odor; it has a rich flow, with the springs distributed along the An-Tong River, extending over 200 to 300 meters. In 1904, a Japanese man collecting camphor discovered the hot spring source by the An-Tong River. By 1930, the Japanese built a police lodge and the Hualien District Chief's guesthouse here, establishing a public bath that gradually developed into a spa destination. After the recovery of Taiwan, private operators acquired and managed it, transforming it into the Antong Hot Spring Grand Hotel. The operators preserved the wooden houses built during the Japanese occupation, which have now been designated as historical monuments by the Council for Cultural Affairs, making Antong a spa area rich in historical significance and nostalgic charm. In the Antong area, there are several hot spring hotels equipped with facilities for guests to enjoy hot spring baths, including outdoor baths and spa functions, as well as private baths and family-style baths, providing visitors with a relaxing soaking experience. The Yuli Township Office has built three free outdoor hot spring pools by the riverside, complete with changing rooms. Additionally, there are many natural hot springs along the An-Tong River, where local farmers have dug simple hot spring pools, creating bathing areas for local residents.
