Ruisui (瑞穗鄉) is a rural township located in southern Hualien County, famous for its Hot Springs and the Siouguluan River Basin.

Understand

The population is composed of Hoklo, Hakka, and Taiwanese aborigines, most of whom are Amis. Agriculture and tourism are major industries.

Get in

By train

• 1 Fuyuan railway station (富源車站). (updated Jan 2021)
• 2 Ruisui railway station (瑞穗車站). The station was opened on 26 January 1915. (updated Jan 2021)

See

Ruisui Tropic of Cancer Marker

History and culture

• 1 Ruisui Tropic of Cancer Marker (北回歸線標誌塔). A monument marking the Tropic of Cancer. The monument was built in 1933 west of Ruisui Railway Station. Due to the Hualien–Taitung line tracks replacement work carried out in 1981, the monument wad relocated to Wuhe Terrace and placed along the Provincial Highway 9. (updated Jan 2021)
• 2 Saoba Stone Pillars (掃叭石柱). The site consists of two adjacent stone pillars standing with 5.75 meters and 3.99 meters of height. The stone pillar are artifacts from Beinan culture since Stone Age era around 3,000 years ago. (updated Jan 2021)

Temples

• 3 Qinglian Temple (青蓮寺), ☏ +886 38872128. (updated Jan 2021)

Do

• 1 Rareseed Ranch (瑞穗牧場). A tourist attraction ranch in Wuhe Village. The ranch land is very fertile due to the fresh water supply from the Central Mountain Range. The ranch used to be a papaya farm. (updated Jan 2021)

• 2 Rafting on Xiuguluan River (秀姑巒溪泛舟). Rafting down the river in inflatable boats. (updated Jan 2021)
• 3 Hutou Mountain Hiking Trail (虎頭山). (updated Jan 2021)

Parks and nature

• 4 Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area (富源國家森林遊樂區). The forest recreation area is located at an elevation of 225–750 metres (738–2,461 ft) above sea level with a total area of 191 hectares (470 acres). The recreation area is equipped with BBQ area, camping ground, jungle trekking trails, etc. (updated Jan 2021)

Eat

• 1 Ruisui Night Market (瑞穗夜市), Minquan East Road. Tu 18:00-22:00. A typical Taiwanese night market with a range of snacks. (updated Jan 2021)

Go next

• Taroko Gorge – An impressive 19-km-long canyon, and the name, Taroko, means the "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the aboriginal tribe residing in the area.
• Hehuan Mountain – A fantastic journey through the wonders of Taroko Gorge and past, ending in a treeless, absolutely different ecosystem.
• River Valleys – The might of typhoons and heavy rains have, over millions of years, carved out of the soft bedrock magnificent river valleys. If you find a river valley (Mugua RIver, for example) and follow it and hike along some tributaries, you are in for a wonderful adventure. No gift shops or 7-Elevens here, just the wonders of Taiwan.
• Tongmen – South of Hualien City, between Jian and Liyu Lake, lies Taroko's little brother.
• Highway 11 – Rent a scooter and hit the road. The beauty of the coastline in Hualien can be enjoyed from this gorgeous stretch of highway. Although many buses and cars are also drawn here and many cite this as a cause for safety concerns, this is by most accounts false. Take care, drive responsibly, and always be careful when around traffic, but do not let anyone deter you from this drive. Pack a lunch and picnic on the coast with the turquoise ocean lapping at the coastline below. Buses and taxis will take you along this road also. Taxis are more personable (they will stop when you say 'stop') but buses are much cheaper. However, both pale in comparison to the experience of driving yourself.