Ruisui Hot Spring Introduction
Today, Ruisui Township is also referred to by some locals as the "Hot Spring Township," primarily due to the discovery of over thirty hot springs in Ruixiang Village in recent years. This has led many individuals originally engaged in agriculture and livestock farming to pivot towards the hot spring leisure industry. The Hualien County Government has commissioned the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration to plan the Ruisui Hot Spring Recreation Area, and under the National Hot Springs Law, it has implemented a regional total quantity control of hot springs to assist the developed hot spring industry in the renovation of roads, drainage, and public recreational facilities. This has revitalized the old appearance of the Ruisui Hot Spring Area, indirectly boosting the emergence of bed-and-breakfasts and dining establishments in the hot spring recreation area. There are currently several larger hot spring recreation parks established, such as the Huya Hot Spring, the Huang Family Hot Spring, and Donggang Xiuchuan, with water temperatures mostly ranging from 43 to 48 degrees Celsius. The pH level of the carbonate spring water is about 6 to 7, making it weakly alkaline. The hot spring water emerges from underground and is rich in minerals such as iron and barium, giving it a rusty yellow or rusty red color, with a thick layer of minerals floating on top known as "hot spring flowers," which are beneficial to human health and wellness. It is said that some discerning Japanese travelers even make special trips to Ruisui for hot spring bathing!
