Antong Hot Spring
安通溫泉
4.1 · 499 reviews · via Google
Antong Hot Spring
sodium-chloride · Hualien
Hotter than 80% of Taiwan springs (n=25).
More acidic than 32% of Taiwan springs (n=25).
Mineral profile
Bar width reflects listing order, not measured concentration.
Suitability
At a glance
Getting there
Remote — over 5km from the nearest station
Cost
Moderate
Crowd level
Quiet
About this spring
Antong is located along a quiet mountain valley slicing through the Coastal Mountain Range, featuring clear, slightly salty sodium chloride water. The spring area emits a delicate sulfur fragrance and is famous for panoramic views of dark green valleys. A historic single-story dark wood Japanese inn sits at the center of the modern resort complex.
Highlights
History
The Antong hot springs were discovered in 1904 by a Japanese camphor gatherer working the coastal mountains.
During the Japanese colonial era the Government-General built a police guest house and public bathing pool here, and by 1930 the structures were expanded using premium cypress wood to create a resort for colonial officials. That historic wooden wing, with its sliding doors and tatami floors, still stands today as a protected cultural heritage site, and Antong is counted among the Eight Wonders of Hualien.
Local guide
To reach Antong, you will travel through the southern reaches of Hualien's East Rift Valley, turning east from Yuli township onto the winding mountain passes of Highway 30, which cuts through the Coastal Range toward the Pacific. The hot spring sits hidden in a narrow, densely forested river valley where giant ferns and banyan trees line the road. Arriving at Antong, the atmosphere is sleepy, quiet, and deeply nostalgic, characterized by historic stone buildings and steam rising quietly from the banks of the Antong River. Antong is famous for its crystal clear, highly concentrated hydrogen sulfide water. While it looks completely transparent, it carries a distinctive, heavy aroma of sulfur that lets you know you are soaking in highly therapeutic minerals. The water is exceptionally hot, emerging at over sixty degrees Celsius, and feels incredibly slick and smooth on your skin. You can pay a day pass fee of roughly two hundred to three hundred TWD to access the outdoor pools of the historic Antong Hot Spring Hotel. These public pools are coed and require swimsuits and caps, meaning tattoos are completely fine. For an authentic slice of local life, you can also head down to the concrete riverside steps where locals have built free, open air public soaking boxes right in the riverbed. You will need to bring your own towel, fresh water, and sandals. The area is rarely crowded, but visiting in the early evening allows you to watch the stars come out over the dark mountain ridges. After a long soak, head back into Yuli town to try a bowl of famous Yuli noodles, thick wheat noodles served in a savory pork broth with fresh shallots.
Mineral chemistry
Sodium chloride springs, essentially natural saltwater baths, are celebrated for their warming and moisturising effects. The salt forms a thin film on the skin that slows moisture evaporation, keeping skin hydrated longer than a freshwater bath.
Those with high blood pressure or heart conditions should consult a doctor before bathing, as the warming effect increases circulation. Avoid immersing open wounds.
Sulfuric hot springs are among the most studied in balneology worldwide. The sulfur compounds, primarily hydrogen sulfide and thiosulfate, have documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular bathing is associated with relief from chronic skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis, as well as joint inflammation and muscle soreness. Sulfuric waters have been used therapeutically across Asia and Europe for centuries.
The distinctive rotten-egg smell dissipates quickly after leaving the bath. Avoid if you have a sulfur allergy, very sensitive skin, or respiratory conditions. Remove silver jewellery before entering — sulfur will blacken it permanently.
Similar springs
Asahi is an extremely rare seabed saltwater hot spring, one of only a handful in the world, located on the coral reef shoreline of volcanic Green Island. It features open-air concrete rings built right where the hot coral water bubbles up, allowing bathers to hear the crashing Pacific waves. The water is heavily mineralized, clear, and distinctly salty.
Located within Beitou Park, this terraced outdoor bathing facility features multiple stone pools that drop down the hillside. The water is sourced directly from the nearby Thermal Valley and displays a distinctive jade-green tint caused by trace amounts of radium and green sulfur minerals. It offers an authentic, budget-friendly community soaking experience surrounded by lush greenery.
Located on the dramatic northern coastline, this historic bathhouse offers iron-rich marine hot spring water with a golden hue. The rooftop open-air pools provide panoramic views over the coastal wetlands and the open sea. The water contains a natural salt content that helps the body retain heat after bathing.
FREEMaintained by the Yangmingshan National Park administration, this free public bathhouse offers separate indoor pools for men and women alongside an outdoor foot-soaking pool. The name translates literally to Cold Water Pit because its water sits at a lower temperature compared to other boiling volcanic vents in the park. The iron-rich neutral sulfate water leaves a faint rust-colored sediment along the pool walls.
Amenities
Getting there
From Hualien
Gateway: Yuli TRA Station
TRA to Yuli Station, then Hualien Bus bound for Changbin
Total journey: 55 min
Take the train to Yuli TRA Station, then catch a local Hualien Bus route or a ten minute taxi to the spring valley.
Location & nearby
No. 36, Antong, Yuli Township, Hualien County
Make a day of it
Pair your soak with these nearby spots.
Viewpoint
Lower Antong Mountain
1.2km away
Viewpoint
Antong
1.3km away
Viewpoint
Dazhuang Mountain
1.8km away
More springs in Hualien
Situated in the pastoral East Rift Valley, Ruisui is famous for producing Taiwan's only iron-rich carbonate hot spring. The mineral-dense water displays a metallic yellow-gold hue and forms a delicate layer of crystallized minerals on the surface known as spring flowers. The valley setting is surrounded by farmland and low green hills.
Common questions
What is the water temperature at Antong Hot Spring?▾
The water temperature at Antong Hot Spring ranges up to 66°C (minimum around 60°C).
Is Antong Hot Spring free to visit?▾
Antong Hot Spring charges an entrance fee in TWD.
Is Antong Hot Spring a public or private bath?▾
Antong Hot Spring is a mixed bathing spring.
Are tattoos allowed at Antong Hot Spring?▾
Yes, Antong Hot Spring welcomes visitors with tattoos.
What is the nearest station to Antong Hot Spring?▾
The nearest station to Antong Hot Spring is Yuli TRA Station, about 7.8km away.