Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Valley Resort, protects the largest pure camphor forest left in Taiwan. Quiet trails run
through the reserve to waterfalls and special bird and butterfly corridors. About 100 spe-
cies of birds can be found in Fuyuan, and you have a good chance of spotting the gor-
geous Maroon Oriole. As for butterflies, this is one of the richest areas in the east: swal-
lowtails are in abundance, including the exquisite Golden Birdwing.
A series of open-air stone and wood
hot-spring pools
(admission NT$250;
10am-10pm)
nestle under the camphor trees not far from the ticketing booth and are open
late. The resort also has rooms starting at NT$8000 and guests and nonguests can eat at
the
buffet restaurant
(breakfast/lunch/dinner NT$450/550/900; 7am-10am, noon-2pm &
6-9pm)
, which has a wide variety of dishes including many rare seasonal local vegetables.
There are also plenty of less expensive guesthouses on the road into the reserve.
It's a bit tricky getting here off Highway 9. If you are driving south, just past Km260
turn right onto a smaller road and follow this 1.1km to Guang Dong Rd (just past the po-
lice station and before a temple). Then turn right and follow this beautiful country road to
the end.
From Ruisui there is a cycling path to the Fuyuan area and you can rent bikes or scoot-
ers outside Ruisui train station on weekends. Fuyuan also has a train station but it's a bit
far to the forest park.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Ruisui (Rueisui)
03 / POP 5000
Ruisui (Ruìsuì) opens up into some very scenic countryside within a few minutes from
the train station. In particular, a deep gorge cutting through the Coastal Mountains,
formed by the longest river in the east. In the summer months Taiwanese flock here to
raft and then later soak in Ruisui's carbonated hot springs.
At 70km from Hualien (depending on your route), and at the junction of three excel-
lent cycling roads (Hwy 9, County Road 193 and the Ruigang Hwy), Ruisui is often used
as an overnight stop for cyclists.
Activities
Ruisui Hot Springs
HOT SPRING
(Ruìsuì Wēnquán)
The carbonated Ruisui hot springs were first opened by the Japanese in
1919 reportedly as a rehab centre for injured soldiers. The water boasts a temperature of
