Antong Hot Springs Introduction
Antung Hot Spring is located by the Antung River in Yuli Township, surrounded by serene mountains and forests, offering beautiful scenery. It was once listed as one of Hualien's Eight Scenic Spots under the name "Antung Warm Bath." The temperature of Antung Hot Spring is approximately 60–70 degrees Celsius, and the spring water is classified as a weak alkaline "chloride sulfate spring," almost transparent with a slight sulfuric smell. The spring has a plentiful flow, with outlets distributed along the Antung River, stretching about 200 to 300 meters. In 1904, a Japanese man harvesting camphor discovered the hot spring outlet by the Antung River. By 1930, the Japanese built a police guesthouse here, which also served as the residence for the head of Hualien Prefectural Office, and established a public bathhouse, gradually developing it into a hot spring resort. After the end of Japanese rule, private operators took over and transformed it into the Antung Hot Spring Palace; the operators retained the wooden bungalows built during the Japanese era. The Council for Cultural Affairs has designated this tatami-matted Japanese-style house as a historical monument, making Antung a place of historical significance and nostalgic charm for soaking in hot springs. The Antung area has several hot spring inns, all equipped with hot spring facilities for guests, including outdoor baths and spa functions, as well as private and family hot spring rooms, providing visitors with a relaxing hot spring experience. Yuli Township Office has constructed three free outdoor hot spring pools by the river, which also include changing rooms; there are multiple natural hot springs along the Antung River, and local farmers have dug simple hot spring pools by the riverbank, creating a bathing area for the local residents.
