Hualien Red Leaf Hot Springs

Hualien Red Leaf Hot Springs

Red Leaf Hot Springs is located in Hongye Village, Wanrong Township, Hualien County, Taiwan. It originates from the upstream of the Hongye River on Tiger Head Mountain and is one of the three well-known hot spring areas in the Huatung Valley, alongside Ruisui Hot Springs and Antong Hot Springs. This hot spring is an alkaline sodium bicarbonate spring situated between valleys, featuring clear, colorless, and odorless water that can reach temperatures up to 47 degrees Celsius, with a hydrogen ion concentration of 6.6. The water is suitable for both drinking and bathing, is abundant in volume, and flows year-round.

Red Leaf Hot Springs were discovered as early as the pre-Qing Dynasty era by the Atayal people who hunted in the mountains. The area became widely known during the Japanese colonial period and still retains several vintage Japanese-style hot spring inns, which have been renovated over the years to offer visitors a nostalgic experience of the old hot spring resort towns. In addition, the hot spring area boasts beautiful scenery, with numerous restaurants and shops lining the area. Locally prepared stir-fried mountain vegetables and soups are special features of the region’s eateries, beloved by tourists from all over. The Red Leaf Hot Springs area largely maintains the original appearance and ambiance from the days when hikers came up the mountain to soak in the thermal baths, allowing visitors to enjoy the most authentic and rustic experience. Moreover, Ruisui Town offers many hotels and inns with attached spas, and when combined with activities such as rafting on the Ruisui River, it makes for a richer and more varied travel itinerary.

Hualien Red Leaves Hot spring

Must-visit reason: One of the most famous hot spring areas in eastern Taiwan