Cycling Tour of Hualien and Taitung | Ruisui Centennial Hot Springs x Pomelo-Incense Origin Table

Ruisui Hot Springs, along with Beitou Hot Springs and Sichongxi Hot Springs, are known as Taiwan's three century-old hot springs. Beyond the hot springs, Ruisui offers many other leisurely experiences. Enjoy the fragrance of pomelo blossoms in spring, rafting on the Xiuguluan River in summer, cycling and hiking in autumn, and soaking in hot springs in winter—a tranquil and relaxing town perfect for any season.

Departing from the train station, a gentle bike tour of Ruisui unfolds as you journey through idyllic rural scenery. Passing through lush greenery among pomelo and coffee groves, you'll visit century-old hot springs and historic smoke towers. The air is filled with the fragrance of seasonal flowers and the scent of the wilderness, while sunlight filters through the canopy and the vast blue sky. This relaxing journey is a journey immersed in nature.

Based on the concept of experiencing the local area and enjoying the seasonal food, the itinerary features a special "Origin Table" pomelo-flavored picnic experience. Enjoy a meal featuring pomelo, allowing travelers to savor delicious dishes and satisfy their taste buds.

- Attraction Overview | Explore Hualien and Taitung by Bike | Ruisui Centennial Hot Springs x A Table with Pomelo Fragrance

▲ Ruisui Hot Springs Cycling Guide
Take a leisurely cycling tour of Ruisui's century-old hot springs, steeped in Japanese nostalgia, the Tudigong Temple, and the red-leafed smoke towers. Learn about Ruisui's pomelo, coffee, and dairy industries, and enjoy a relaxing time in this tranquil, idyllic hot spring town.

▲ Century-Old Ruisui Hot Springs
Ruisui Hot Springs was developed by the Japanese in 1899 as a guesthouse for police officers. It later served as a lung sanatorium and was formerly known as Dicui Pavilion. Known as the "Golden Hot Spring," Ruisui Hot Springs is a weakly alkaline chloride-carbonate spring rich in iron, resulting in a turbid yellow water with a slightly salty taste. When the iron in the spring water oxidizes in air, it forms patches of turbid yellow crystals on the surface, known as "hot spring flowers." According to folklore, frequent bathing in this hot spring increases the chances of a girl having a son, hence the name "Boy-Giving Hot Spring."

▲ Red Leaf Tobacco House

In the past, Ruisui cultivated tobacco, known as "Green Gold." The scattered tobacco houses and vast tobacco fields are the most unique landscape of the hot spring village. Visiting the Red Leaf Tobacco House, once used for smoking and storing tobacco leaves, the moss-covered black tiles, chimneys, and the nostalgic red brick walls and wooden planks allow visitors to relive the grandeur of Ruisui's tobacco production.

▲ The Story of Ruisui Coffee

During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese began cultivating coffee trees in the Maizuru region of Ruisui. The local climate is ideal for coffee growth, and the harvested beans have a fruity aroma and unique flavor. The then-Sumida Corporation marketed the coffee beans to the Japanese market and even provided them to the Emperor, making this the birthplace of Taiwan's earliest commercial coffee cultivation. After the Pacific War, Wuhe coffee gradually declined due to the loss of its primary market, Japan. Only in recent years, with the rise of Taiwanese coffee, have the remaining old coffee trees been replanted, slowly reviving the glory of Wuhe coffee.

▲ Muriguang Pomelo Station

Surrounded by pomelo orchards, the Muriguang Pomelo Station serves as a collection point for the Ruisui pomelo production and marketing team during the pomelo season. During off-season, the station transforms into a pomelo station, introducing people to the seasonal characteristics of pomelo through guided tours, hands-on activities, and DIY activities.

The old-growth pomelo from Ruisui, Hualien, the Hegang Pomelo, a similar variety to the Madou Pomelo from Tainan, boasts a delicate flesh, a sweet taste, and a captivating flavor. Every March, the pomelo blossoms bloom in full bloom, their pristine white petals and delicate fragrance inviting a leisurely stroll through the healing natural fragrance.
Origin Table ~ Pomelo-flavored picnics, featuring pomelo in dishes and seasonings. Enjoy pomelo-flavored barbecued pork with sweet and sour pomelo sauce to counteract the greasiness, easy-to-make pomelo-flavored noodles, refreshing and sweet pomelo-flavored salads, and a variety of pomelo-flavored dishes. The unique pomelo flavor is both astonishing and truly memorable.