Antong Hot Springs lies hidden in a mountain valley along the upper Antong Creek in Yuli Township. The spring water is sulfate type with more than 15 minerals, at a temperature of approximately 66 degrees Celsius, and has a history of over a hundred years. The cypress bungalow built as a police guesthouse in Meiji 39 (1906) during the Japanese colonial period still stands today, now listed as a Hualien County historic building. This is one of the rare places in the southern rift valley that combines natural therapeutic soaking with cultural preservation.
Highlights of Antong Hot Springs
Antong Hot Springs lies in the mountain area to the southeast of Yuli Township, reached by following Antong Creek upstream through intact forest into a quiet valley. The spring was discovered early and caught the attention of Japanese colonial authorities from the outset — in Meiji 39 (1906), a police guesthouse was established here, built from cypress wood in a Japanese bungalow style that has endured to the present. The quality of the architecture's preservation gives a clear sense of the historical context of mountain forest administration at that time.
Antong's spring water is sulfate type, clear and translucent, containing minerals including calcium, magnesium, and sulfate. The temperature is high (approximately 66°C) and must be diluted with cold water before bathing; after soaking, skin feels slightly smooth. Lodging nearby is mostly styled as Japanese garden retreats with hot spring facilities, creating a serene environment well suited to visitors seeking quiet, restorative experiences.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- From Yuli Township, follow signs along the Antong Creek direction. The road is a single-lane mountain track with some sections requiring careful passing of oncoming vehicles. Large tour coaches are not recommended.
- The springs can be visited year-round. Autumn and winter (October to February of the following year) bring cooler valley temperatures, making the therapeutic effect of the hot springs most pronounced.
- Lodging reservations are strongly recommended, especially during holiday periods when availability is limited.
Nearby Connections
- Antong Hot Springs is approximately 15 to 20 minutes by car from Yuli Town, and can be combined with a visit to the Yuli Tectonic Plate Suture Zone Monument or the town center.
- To the south, the route can extend to Liushidan Mountain in Fuli Township or Luoshan Waterfall, completing a full southern rift valley itinerary.
Sources: Hualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau historic building registration data, Yuli Township Office tourism information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.