The eastern part of Taiwan not only offers pleasant scenery but is also rich in hot-spring resources. Among the best known of the hot springs here are those of Jhihben, Wulu, and Green Island in Taitung County, and those of Antung, Rueisuei, Hungye, and Wenshan in Hualien County. The Jhihben hot springs are situated in the Jhihben River valley. In addition to its hot mineral water, the area also offers gorges, waterfalls, a forest recreation area, and other natural scenic attractions.
The sodium bicarbonate water here is colorless and is said to be good for skin diseases, rheumatism, and neuralgia, and for promoting blood circulation and relaxing the muscles and joints. The Jaurih Hot Spring is situated on the southeastern coral shore of Green Island and is one of only three salt-water hot springs in the world. The mineral in the water is sulfur, but there is not much of the characteristic sulfur smell here. When you finish bathing in this water, you may feel a bit sticky.
The East Coast National Scenic Area has developed three round pools of different temperatures here for visitors to bathe in; they can enjoy island views of azure seas and blue skies as they soak, and in the night time they can savor the sight of the starry heavens. If they want to welcome the sun as it rises over the sea, they can come and get into the pools before dawn.
Once you come here, you will not want to miss the other attractions in the Hualien-Taitung areas. In the East Coast National Scenic Area you will find infinitely changing terrain with stepped seaside plateaus, sand and pebble beaches, coral shores, offshore islands, capes, and sea-eroded platforms, trenches, and caves, among other features. This is also the main homeland of the Amis tribespeople, whose different villages hold colorful harvest festivals in July and August.
This is the best opportunity for visitors to get a taste of Amis culture. East Rift Valley National Scenic Area: This scenic area covers the valley that stretches from Hualien to Taitung and divides the Central Mountain Range from the Coastal Mountain Range. It comprises a "green corridor" with residents that include Amis, Puyuma, Bunun, and Paiwan aborigines in addition to southern Fujianese and Hakka Chinese.
Besides its rich aboriginal flavor, this part of Taiwan also contains the island's most complete archaeological sites from the neolithic age 50,000 to 20,000 years ago as well as traces of the later Beinan and megalithic cultures. The rift valley contains an abundance of tourist resources as well, including farms, tea plantations, fruit orchards, hot springs, and forest recreation areas.
