Hualien Tourism Service NetworkHualien Tourism Service Network

As one of the five coastal nature reserves in Hualien and Taitung, Niushan sits between Shuilian, Fanshuliao, and Jiqi. The winding texture of Niushanbi makes it one of the great geological classrooms. Niushan was the grazing and farming land of the Amis people who called it “Huting”.Due to its rich water source, Shuilian has lots of “leeches” called “ciwdiyan” by the Amis people, meaning “source of leeches”, and Han people thus translated it into “Shuilian”. The verdant mountain embraces the spacious river valley basin over which wriggles the Shuilian River. It is a community of ethnic diversity and inclusivity and with valuable tourism assets such as rich natural resources and special geological landscapes, animal and plant diversity, and indigenous cultures.Looking out to the coastline from the park, the bays and capes stretching to the deep blue ocean are in sight. The sea current running along Shuilian engages in a tug of war with the rivers flowing into the sea. Due to the weather condition, the beach changes its look from time to time. In different seasons and at different times, beaches are covered by gravels, cobbles, sand, driftwood, and others. Therefore, it si called the “faceoff beech”.TransportationPublic transportHualien Bus (coast line via Provincial Highway 11) routes 1127, 1140, or 1145 to Niushan Stop.DrivingTake Provincial Highway 9 and turn to Provincial Highway 11 (Coastal Highway) and drive to Niushan Huting.Address: No. 39-5, Niushan, Shofeng Township, Hualien County.

Under Japanese rule, the approximately 900 m high Chike Mountain was famous for the Chike trees (Red Bark Oak) growing there. However, the blessed soil and climatic conditions have nurtured the abundant lily flowers in Yuli Township. The yellow flowers blossom every summer, and together with the unique “Three Views of Chike” in the Area, they have made the place a popular tourist destination.When walking through the narrow industrial road, you can see the “Stone Turtle” lying in the valley. Among a sea of flowers, it lies facing the Thousand-year-old Chike Sacred Tree standing not far away. The three, giant black “igneous rocks” are embedded in the vast carpet of flowers; the sunlight shining on the rocks makes them look like shiny black gems. The old half wooden building “Wang Family Historic Residence” carries the history of land cultivation by the victims of the Floods of 1959, who relocated here. During the blooming season, the lucky tourists can see the exciting scene of the lily flowers on the rooftop of the old building.While you enjoy the scenery, do not forget to take advantage of the benefits brought by lily flowers; they are highly nutritious and can be made into a variety of dishes that will satisfy a gourmet’s palate.

Symbols for vitality, such as mountains, rivers, and the sun are enlarged in the pattern to correspond to the central spirit of Year of Mountain Tourism. People are encouraged to embrace the mountain for the mother of land to heal them in nature and cherish and safeguard the beauty of mountains.There is a new highlight for the old Dongli Railway Station. This year, the painted rice field Gift from the Mountain by international artist Yosifu will be installed in the station for travelers to visit this most beautiful station on the Mountain Line while appreciating the painted rice field.

This year, the Field-side Footprint Feast supports Taiwan’s endemic protected species. After two times of harvesting, the “Taiwan” and Footprint of Black Bear” are left in the field for travelers to enjoy the creative dishes arranged by the Ceroh people to support the spirit of cherishment and eco-friendliness.

The Ruisui Hot Spring is very rare kind. It is the only carbonate spring in Taiwan rich in iron and barium. Iron oxidizes and forms a layer of turbid yellow crystal with slight rust on the water surface, the so-called “Hot Spring Flower.” The spring water is golden in color and is as famous as “Arima Onsen,” near Kobe, Japan. It was once called the “golden spring” by Japanese colonists during the Japanese rule of Taiwan; nowadays, it is a must-visit destination for many Japanese tourists who love taking hot spring baths. The Ruisui Hot Spring is with higher PH level. According to a local legend, couples soaking in the weakly alkaline hot spring, the wife would have more chances of conceiving a boy; that’s why it won the nickname “Shengnan Onsen (meaning the hot spring helps women have a baby boy.”Hot springs in Hualien are famous far and wide and the must-visit feature of the East Rift Valley. The Ruisui Hot Spring is Taiwan’s unique “hero spa” of “carbonate minerals”.

In the early days, Antong Hot Springs was one of the top eight views in Hualien; it’s also known as “Antong Zhuo Nuan. (meaning hot springs in Antong)” The water is almost transparent and is a weakly alkaline “sulfate spring.” The spring contains more than 15 kinds of minerals, the quality of a “Beauty Hot Spring.” We look forward to seeing you in person to spend a wonderful trip together in Hualien. According to literature, Antong Hot Spring was discovered by Japanese workers eight years before the establishment of the Republic of China. The public baths were built in ROC 19 and has been renovated and expanded to their current size. The hot spring has a history of over 100 years and is one of the “Top Eight Views of Hualien.” It is a weak-base chloride sulfate hot spring that smells a bit like hydrogen sulfide. The water temperature is about 66°C. As you sink into the springs, you will feel your skin moisturized. However, even after you get out of the water, your skin will still be tender. The hot springs have a therapeutic effect on skin diseases, abdominal diseases, gynecological diseases, and wounds. At the same time, you may try the boiled hot spring eggs.  The Japanese-styled tatami detached house built by the Japanese colonial government with pure Taiwan cypress as the police’s guesthouse is well-preserved with an integral appearance. It has been listed as a historical monument by the Council for Cultural Affairs (now Ministry of Culture) and transformed into a new, two-story Western-styled building as a spa house. In the spa area, Japanese landscaping features are everywhere, as if it was an ancient Japanese garden.The quasi-transparent water comes from a weak alkaline sulfate chloride spring with a mild smell of hydrogen sulfide. Water is abundant and the temperature is about 66°C. The outcrop runs along the Antong River for about 200-300m. Soaking in the spring, one can feel the smoothness on the skin, and the skin remains smooth and tender even when we leave the water. It is said that it helps cure skin diseases, stomach problems, gynecological diseases, and wounds.Besides going on a trip by yourself there, you can also join a unique hot spring coach tour between autumn and winter. The combination of enjoying the hot spring and hiking is certainly a fantastic experience in the autumn.