Sunrise Hot Spring is a coastal reef hot spring on the southeastern shore of Green Island at Fanchuanbi, often described alongside springs in Italy and Japan as one of the world's few seaside reef hot springs; it is a sulfate-chloride spring with a natural temperature of roughly 60–70°C.
Official information from the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration lists Sunrise Hot Spring's address as No. 167, Wenquan, Gongguan Village, Lyudao, with a natural temperature of about 60–70°C and a slightly acidic sulfate-chloride water type; travel media commonly describe it as one of only three seaside hot springs in the world alongside sites in Italy and Japan, though this specific claim has not been confirmed by a geological research body.
Highlights of Sunrise Hot Spring
Sunrise Hot Spring sits near Gongguan Village on the southeastern tip of Green Island. Operators have set up open-air pools and semi-outdoor soaking facilities that hug the reef coastline, facing the Pacific Ocean. The spring is a sodium bicarbonate spring with clear water, an alkaline pH, and a natural temperature of around 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Operators mix in seawater at the pools to maintain a comfortable soaking temperature of roughly 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. The spring vents themselves are located in the crevices of the intertidal reef rocks; natural upwelling can be seen at low tide.
Sunrise Hot Spring is named for its sunrise orientation. Soaking in the early morning is the most atmospheric experience — the Pacific shifts gradually from deep blue to golden orange as the sun rises, casting its first light across the reef rocks and the surface of the pool. This is widely regarded as one of the most restorative moments in a Green Island visit. Since Green Island is small and tourism is concentrated, weekdays or non-summer visits (outside July to August) are recommended to avoid crowds. Green Island must be reached by ferry or small aircraft; check official sources or ticketing platforms for the latest schedule and ticketing information, and monitor for weather-related cancellations.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & time
- To reach Green Island, take a ferry from Fugang Fishing Harbor in Taitung (about 50 minutes) or a small plane from Taitung Airport (about 15 minutes). Check ferry company or airline websites for schedules and tickets; services may be suspended in bad weather.
- Sunrise Hot Spring requires purchasing an entry ticket. Confirm operating hours and fees with the operator in advance. Tickets for the sunrise session are limited — book ahead during peak season.
Nearby connections
- Green Island Human Rights Memorial Park is on the northern side of the island and can be combined with Sunrise Hot Spring in a single-day itinerary. Suggested plan: natural sites in the morning, history and culture in the afternoon.
- Accommodation on Green Island is mostly concentrated near Nanliao and Gongguan. Booking ahead is essential, especially during the peak season of July to August — reserve one to two months in advance.
Sources: East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation; Sunrise Hot Spring operator information. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Sunrise Hot Spring special?
It is a seaside reef hot spring where visitors can soak while watching the Pacific sunrise, a type of coastal hot spring rarely found elsewhere.
How hot is the water at Sunrise Hot Spring?
Official data list a natural temperature of about 60–70°C; operators mix in seawater at the pools to reach a comfortable soaking temperature.
Is the "only three seaside hot springs in the world" claim accurate?
The claim is widely repeated in travel media, but it has not been formally verified by a geological research institution, so it should be treated as a popular saying rather than a confirmed fact.
Sources
- 朝日溫泉－東部海岸國家風景區觀光資訊網 — 官方資訊：地址、泉質、水溫