Antong Hot Springs Introduction
Antong Hot Springs is located by the banks of Antong Creek in Yuli Township, surrounded by tranquil mountains and forests, offering stunning scenery. It was once known as "Antong Zhuo Nuan" and ranked as one of the eight scenic spots of Hualien. The temperature of Antong Hot Springs is about 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, and the spring water is a mildly alkaline "chloride sulfate spring," appearing nearly transparent with a slight hydrogen sulfide odor. The spring has a rich flow, with outlets distributed along Antong Creek stretching about 200 to 300 meters. In 1904, a Japanese man harvesting camphor discovered the hot spring outlet near Antong Creek. By 1930, the Japanese built a police guesthouse here, which also served as the residence of the head of Hualien Prefecture, and established public baths, gradually developing into a popular hot spring destination. After the restoration of Taiwan, private operators purchased and managed the area, transforming it into Antong Hot Springs Grand Hotel; they maintained the wooden structure built during the Japanese occupation, which has been listed as a historical monument by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, making Antong a site of historical significance and nostalgic charm for hot spring bathing. The Antong area has several hot spring hotels, all equipped with hot spring facilities for visitors, including outdoor baths and spa functions, as well as private and family-style hot spring rooms, providing guests with a relaxing bathing experience. The Yuli Township Office has constructed three free outdoor hot spring pools by the creek, complete with changing rooms. Additionally, there are many natural hot springs along Antong Creek, where nearby farmers have dug simple hot spring pools, creating a bathing area for local residents.
