Popular Sightseeing Tours in Ang Thong

Antong Hot Spring is located in Yuli, Hualien, with many worthwhile attractions nearby. It is recommended to visit Yuli town to taste famous local snacks like Yuli noodles and Qiaotou stinky tofu. During the golden needle flower season (around August-September annually), don't miss the breathtaking golden needle flower sea covering the mountains at Chi Ko Mountain. Additionally, the scenic Yu-Fu Bicycle Path, Yuli Bridge spanning the Xiuguluan River, and the red Kecheng Railway Bridge are excellent spots for photography and nature lovers. These attractions are not far from Antong Hot Spring, making it convenient for planning half-day or full-day trips.

The Antong Hot Spring area is very suitable for family trips. Its spring water is a chloride sulfate spring, which is mild and non-irritating, known as 'Beauty Soup,' making it very friendly to both adults and children. Many hot spring resorts offer family private baths or outdoor water play areas, providing a comfortable and safe bathing environment. Besides hot spring bathing, light nature exploration activities can be arranged nearby, such as walking on safe trails, learning about plants, or visiting nearby farms to experience local culture. This allows children to enjoy nature while relaxing their bodies and minds.

Antong Hot Spring and Ruisui Hot Spring are two famous hot spring areas in Hualien, each with its unique charm. Antong Hot Spring has a century of history, with chloride sulfate spring water that is colorless, odorless, and slightly sulfuric. After soaking, the skin becomes smooth, earning it the nickname 'Beauty Soup.' The environment is relatively tranquil, suitable for travelers seeking peace and historical ambiance. Ruisui Hot Spring is renowned for its 'Golden Soup,' rich in iron. Upon contact with air, it oxidizes to a pale yellow. Its bicarbonate spring quality also leads to it being called the 'Spring for Bearing Boys.' Ruisui has richer surrounding tourist resources, including ranches and rafting activities, making it ideal for travelers who prefer lively and diverse itineraries.

The best season to visit Antong Hot Spring is generally from autumn to spring, approximately October to April of the following year. During this period, the weather is cooler, especially in the cold winter months when soaking in the warm spring water offers maximum physical and mental relaxation. However, Antong Hot Spring can be visited year-round. Although summers are hot, many hot spring resorts offer cold spring facilities. Alternatively, you can combine your visit with nearby river activities or mountain trail hiking, enjoying the natural scenery and then relaxing in the hot springs in the evening.

To get to the Antong Hot Spring area by public transportation, it is recommended to first take a Taiwan Railways train to Yuli Station in Hualien. Yuli Station is the closest major station to Antong Hot Spring. After arriving at Yuli Station, you can take a taxi to Antong Hot Spring, which takes about fifteen to twenty minutes. Additionally, some hot spring resorts may offer shuttle services. It is advisable to inquire with the resort about shuttle availability from Yuli Station to the hot spring area when booking your accommodation to facilitate your journey.

Antong Hot Spring sightseeing itineraries can be flexibly arranged according to your time. For a one-day trip, it's recommended to focus on hot spring bathing at Antong, followed by a food tour in Yuli town and a visit to the nearby Yu-Fu Bicycle Path or the entrance of the Walomi Trail to experience the natural scenery. If you have more time, you can plan a multi-day trip by combining Antong Hot Spring with other attractions along Hualien's East Rift Valley line. For example, spend the first day enjoying the hot springs at Antong, and on the second day, visit Ruisui Ranch and Wuhe Tea Garden to taste local specialties, or visit Chi Ko Mountain during the golden needle flower season to admire the floral sea, experiencing a rich Hualien journey.

To experience Antong Hot Spring in Hualien, you can opt for a classic hot spring resort route, staying at a hot spring hotel within the Antong Hot Spring area to enjoy pure hot spring bathing and taste local gourmet meals provided by the resort, experiencing the tranquility of the mountains at night. Another unique route combines natural and cultural landscapes of the surrounding area. For instance, spend the morning on a light hike at the Walomi Trail, experiencing Bunun culture and magnificent mountain views, enjoy characteristic snacks in Yuli for lunch, and then return to Antong Hot Spring in the afternoon for a relaxing soak, fully rejuvenating your body and mind while deeply appreciating the beauty of Hualien's East Rift Valley.

Yes, many hot spring hotels and resorts in the Antong Hot Spring area offer various packages that include accommodation and sightseeing tours. Common packages include 'bed and breakfast' with hot spring tickets, or collaborations with local tour operators to offer itineraries that combine guided tours of surrounding attractions and shuttle services. Travelers can choose one-day or multi-day packages based on their needs, saving the trouble of planning transportation and tickets themselves. You can book such package tours through KKday, which provides Chinese customer service support and flexible cancellation policies, eliminating language communication barriers and making your trip more secure and convenient.

The dining options around Antong Hot Spring are rich and diverse, mainly featuring specialty foods from Yuli town. The most famous is 'Yuli noodles,' with several long-standing establishments to choose from. Additionally, 'Qiaotou stinky tofu' is a must-try, often with long queues of visitors. For souvenirs, Guang Sheng Tang's agar jelly is also a well-known local choice. Besides town snacks, some hot spring resorts also have restaurants offering meals made with local ingredients. You can also explore local farm-to-table restaurants or indigenous cuisine restaurants in the vicinity to savor authentic wild delicacies.

Antong Hot Spring has a rich historical background, with its development dating back to the Japanese colonial era. In 1904, a Japanese camphor oil extractor discovered the hot spring by the Antong River, after which the Japanese established a club and public baths here. Therefore, Antong Hot Spring can be considered a century-old spring, witnessing the development of Taiwan's hot spring culture. Its main characteristic lies in its spring quality, a chloride sulfate spring with clear, colorless, and odorless water, slightly sulfuric, and known for its skin-smoothing and beautifying effects, hence its name 'Beauty Soup.' The hot spring area has a serene environment, making it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy natural healing.