Antong Hot Springs Introduction
Antong Hot Spring is located by the An Tong River in Yuli Township, surrounded by beautiful mountain forests. It was once listed as one of the eight scenic spots in Hualien known as "Antong Zhuang Nuan." The temperature of the Antong Hot Spring is approximately 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, with a weakly alkaline chloride sulfate spring water that is nearly transparent and has a slight hydrogen sulfide odor. The spring is abundant, with outlets distributed along the An Tong River, extending about 200 to 300 meters. In 1904, a Japanese person collecting camphor in the mountains discovered the hot spring outlet by the An Tong River. By 1930, the Japanese built a police guest house here, which also served as the residence for the Hualien prefect, and established a public bathhouse, gradually developing into a hot spring resort. After the restoration, local businesses took over, converting it into the Antong Hot Spring Grand Hotel; they preserved the wooden bungalows built during the Japanese occupation. The Council for Cultural Affairs has designated this tatami-floored Japanese-style bungalow as a historic monument, making Antong a place of historical significance and nostalgic charm for soaking. The Antong area has several hot spring hotels, all equipped with hot spring facilities for guests, including outdoor pools and spa features, as well as private and family hot spring rooms, providing travelers with a relaxing soaking experience. The Yuli Township Office has established three free outdoor hot spring pools by the river, which also have changing rooms. Additionally, there are several natural hot springs along the banks of the An Tong River, where local farmers have excavated simple hot spring pools, creating a bathing area for local residents.
