Ruisui Hot Spring

Ruisui Hot Spring is one of the three top hot spring spas in the valley, the other two being Hongye and Antong. Ruisui was first developed in 1919, with a public bathing area and Japanese-style hotel. It is still in operation today, with an open-air pool where visitors can enjoy a soothing soak and the fresh air at the same time. The spring water emerges from the ground at 48 degrees Celsius and is rich in iron. The iron oxidizes upon contact with the air and gives the water a yellowish tint, causing some first-time visitors to mistakenly think that it is unclean. The water has a slightly salty (indeed, salt crystals float on its surface), rusty taste. It is the only carbonate hot spring in Taiwan, and bathing in its waters is said to be an effective treatment for rheumatism and allergy-type skin conditions.