Courtesy of Yu-Liu Chen & Editorial Office
As autumn’s harvest season arrives, Hualien is filled with the joy of abundance. There’s no better time to slip into the soothing embrace of its famous hot springs - Hero Spring and Beauty Spring - while answering the call of majestic mountains and the ocean’s rhythm. Nestled in the welcoming towns of Ruisui and Yuli, you’ll rediscover the pure beauty of Hualien’s nature, wrapped in warmth and tranquility.
Warm Springs, Wonderful Times in Hualien｜2025 Hualien Pacific Hot Spring Festival
Now in its sixth year, the Hualien Pacific Hot Spring Festival has become an eagerly awaited autumn celebration. Last year’s theme, “Bathe in a Feast for the Senses,” offered a truly immersive program: a six-meter “Dance of the Hot Spring Blossoms” installation at Ruisui Hot Spring Park; live music beneath the stars; the evocative aromas of Ruisui’s milk, pomelos, and Yuli noodles; exquisite flavors made from local ingredients; and - of course - complimentary outdoor foot baths and hot-spring soaking experiences that let visitors fully enjoy the simple pleasure of bathing in the springs. The 2025 festival will once again bring together the flavors, lodging, attractions, and unique souvenirs of Ruisui Township and Yuli Township. An autumn trip to Hualien’s hot springs promises nothing short of comfort, joy, and relaxation.
INFO｜2025 Hualien Pacific Hot Spring Festival
Address: Ruisui and Antong Hot Spring Areas
Telephone: 03-8227171#524
Business hours: 11/01-11/30
※Actual event dates and details will be announced on the official website.
The Warmest Welcome on Your Journey｜Hot Spring Shuttle Bus
The Hot Spring Shuttle Bus makes it easy for travelers to visit the two major hot spring areas as well as special attractions in the central and southern regions. It offers three routes: the Ruisui Line, the Yuli Line, and the Fuli Line. Sample itineraries are provided below, allowing visitors to explore the attractions independently.
Departing from Hualien Bus Station, the Ruisui Line stops at Jian Qingxiu Temple, filled with Japanese ambiance, then continues to Liyu Lake - listed among Taiwan Tourism’s 100 Spotlights - where travelers can enjoy the mountain-and-lake scenery. The journey also includes the Mataian Tribe and the Mataian Wetland, followed by a relaxing soak in the hot springs at the Ruisui Hot Spring Area, also known as “Hero Spring.” On the return trip, travelers can stop by San Kai Amai Dessert Shop to enjoy sweet treats. The Yuli Line features experiences such as the Fuxing Forest Train through pineapple fields, Chunri Songpu Paradise Road (天堂路), J J Farm, and Jiang Jun Fu - another of Taiwan Tourism’s 100 Spotlights. The Fuli Line takes travelers to the Nanan Visitor Center and the Fuli Rice Straw Art Festival Area. Every time registration opens, spots are snapped up almost instantly, making these itineraries among the most sought-after for visitors traveling to Hualien in autumn and winter.
A Town Shaped by Pomelos and Hot Springs｜Ruisui Township - A Warm Welcome
The “Twin Springs Cycling Adventure” itinerary, as its name suggests, connects the Ruisui Hot Spring Area and the Antong Hot Spring Area. No matter where travelers choose to stay or start their journey, they can hop on an e-bike and leisurely explore Ruisui and Yuli Townships. Even uphill climbs or longer rides feel effortless, allowing visitors to enjoy a profound experience of Hualien’s natural beauty, combined with its hot springs.
Starting from Ruisui Station, travelers ride e-bikes with professional guides to explore the Ruisui Hot Spring Area. Ruisui Hot Spring is renowned for its iron- and barium-rich waters, which have a distinctive reddish-brown hue and are affectionately called “Hero Spring.” Cycling along Ruisui’s country roads, visitors can stop at Sunny Pomelo Farm to join a DIY pomelo jam workshop, or wander the vast green meadows of J J Farm, where they can savor famous dairy products or pick up gifts to take home - the sweetest notes of the journey. Connecting to County Highway No. 193, travelers can continue their exploration of Hualien in depth. Along the route, small local chapels invite visitors to embark on their own “pilgrimage journey.”
INFO｜Ruisui Hot Spring Area
Address: Section 2, Wenquan Road, Ruisui Township, Hualien County
Toward the Beauty of County Highway No. 193｜Yuli Township - Healing for Body and Mind
From near TRA Yuli Station, travelers can set off along the Yufu Bikeway - the only bikeway in Asia that crosses two tectonic plates. The route winds through picturesque rural landscapes, and crossing Changhong Bridge offers the rare thrill of standing atop two plates at once. Cycling along the breathtaking County Highway No. 193, golden waves of rice fields stretch across the countryside, creating scenery so beautiful it leaves travelers in awe. When hunger strikes, they can stop by Yuli Sera Coffee, where the owner serves carefully crafted omakase-style cuisine or meals prepared with local ingredients.
Antong Hot Spring was once listed among the Eight Scenic Wonders of Hualien. Its spring is a weakly alkaline chloride sulfate type, with nearly transparent water reaching 66°C, earning it the name Beauty Spring. Visitors to Antong Hot Spring Area can soak in its waters, washing away the fatigue of body and mind. This journey blends hot spring healing with local culture, offering one of the most unique autumn and winter travel experiences.
INFO｜Antong Hot Spring Area
Address: Lehe Village, Yuli Township, Hualien County