Ruisui Hot Springs
Iron-rich springs in the Hualien rift valley whose water oxidises to a rust colour, unusual in Taiwan.
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Ruisui's water carries dissolved iron and comes out clear, then oxidises in the air to a rust-yellow that stains the tubs and everything else, which is rare in Taiwan and is the reason the springs are known. Local belief holds that bathing in it helps couples conceive boys, a claim with no basis that the hotels are happy to repeat. The town sits in the rift valley with rafting on the Xiuguluan river running from nearby.
What you actually see
- The iron water - clear at source, oxidising to rust colour in the baths.
- The staining - the mineral deposit on tubs and channels through the bathhouses.
- The rift valley - rice and betel country between the two ranges.
- The Xiuguluan rafting - whitewater trips starting nearby in season.
When to go
October to April is the hot-spring season. Rafting on the Xiuguluan runs from around April to October. Weekends bring visitors from Hualien.
Honest expectations
The iron stains swimwear and towels permanently; dark or old clothing is sensible. Bathhouse standards vary. The fertility claim is folklore and is marketed hard.
Nearby
Mataian wetland is north, and Antong is south.
What to pack for Ruisui Hot Springs
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
