It has a lot of night markets, boutique hotels, and shopping malls which offer almost everything. This 66,000 square meter grassland is the perfect place to launch a hot air balloon and see the beautiful Taitung from above.
Fengyuan in Taichung was once the center of all things lacquer here in Taiwan. In fact, at one point it was said that 99% of the country’s lacquerwares were made in the area. Today, you’ll find that it’s home to the Fengyuan Lacquer Art Museum which is a great place to learn about the history 鐵花村伴手禮 of lacquer art during the Japanese colonial period. More remote Orchid Island (蘭嶼 or Lanyu) is home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe, the Tao people. The Tao are famous for their Flying Fish Festival, partially underground houses, and beautiful hand-carved traditional canoes.
I think most of the trash on the beaches is not from people who visit the beaches. It is people in the cities and countryside who throw trash on the ground or leave piles of it everywhere. A lot of it ends up in sewers or rivers from wind or lots of water from rainstorms or typhoons, and eventually it all ends up in the sea and then gets washed up onto the shore. Travelers interested in prettier, emptier alternatives should take the 193 instead of the 9 as Nick recommends. Take the Zhuofu Industry Road all the way to the 20A, then swing back to Guanshan on back roads, easily found on Google maps, then cross the 9 and head east of the 9 to the 197. The 197 is now paved along its length and is a lovely, almost empty road.
The currents and riptides are very strong along the coast, and people die after getting swept out to sea every year. To experience aboriginal culture in the area, consider visiting or spending the night at Bunun Leisure Farm (布農部落休閒農場), which is run by the local Bunun tribe. Chishang (池上) is the first town you’ll reach in Taitung, and it’s my most recommended town for spending a night in Taitung. If you’re taking the train from Hualien, I recommend just coming directly here.
You’ve probably heard of the sticky and chewy dessert known as mochi, and you may have even tried some with various fillings such as green tea or red bean. It’s highly unlikely though that you’ve tried anything like Paochuan Food Company’s cheese-filled mochi. Although you can still see trains passing by, the station has been closed since 2019, so they no longer stop there. Visitors can pay a small fee to enter the station area and take pictures. Further south in Jinlun is another beach you can seek out, near the impressive Jinlun Bridge. Fishermen return to the habor every day to auction their catches, especially swordfish (旗魚), right on the dock from around 1 or 2 p.m.
Chenggong is the proud owner of the longest coastline in Taitung County. Thanks to the Kuroshio Current, Chenggong is one of the largest fishing centers along the east coast of Taiwan. The abundance of fishing resources brought prosperity and turned Chenggong into the largest township of Taitung County. The diversity of the coastal geology in Chenggong is beautiful and captivating.
Dulan is a laid-back beach town in the North of Taitung City. If you are just passing by on Highway 11, you might not think much of it as a worthy spot. But exploring further around the town, you will soon realize this small town exudes completely different vibes. This photogenic place has become popular since the Mr. Brown Coffee commercial was filmed. As you can imagine, there is Mr. Brown cafe, where you can grab a coffee.
The wholistic relaxation found in here has turned Zhiben into a vacationing hot spot. You can find both hot springs close to the mountains and near streams in Zhiben. Usually, Zhiben’s hotels and resorts tap into river sources for their hot spring water. In recent years, one of Zhiben’s 5-star hotels built a hot spring using a mountain source. Zhiben is situated in a green valley lined with rivers and streams. From both river and mountain hot springs, you can sit back, enjoy the lush mountains and the relax to the tune of babbling brooks.
You can find and buy fashion items with a variety of designs and types in shopping centers and busy markets here. Thai dried fruit at a market
There are several unique places within the city’s borders, but most of Taitung’s best attractions are along Route 9 and 11. With that said, I’ve included a whole host of things to do in Taitung and its surrounding areas! That way, you can pick and choose and ultimately plan your own perfect Taitung itinerary. Suncake is a flaky pastry with a sweet maltose filling but lately, bakeries have been getting quite creative with their fillings, and you can now find a wide variety of flavors. There are dozens of bakeries throughout the city, but perhaps the most famous is Chia Wia Sina. Expect to see long queues at the front door though as this place is incredibly popular.
Whether you come here to soak in a hot spring, get a spa treatment or spend the night, you’re sure to have an amazing time. Visit this place late afternoon or early evening, so you get to enjoy the changes of day and night sceneries. From coastal areas to mountain highs, Taitung greets visitors to a land of ecological richness and scenic beauty. The county is also known for its distinctive local products, from premium rice, day lilies, hibiscus, and sugar apples to sailfish, bonito , and other specialty seafood items. For city-lovin’ travellers, Taitung’s city centre will be a great place to stay.
Purchase these from Klook for convenient pick-up at the airport. On a quick glance you might think it’s just a normal sweet potato, but it’s actually a cake! A famous and local specialty in Obihiro, Hokkaido, this is a must-try authentic Japanese confectionery.
The Rainbow Village in Nantun District is a former settlement for veterans who served during the Chinese Civil War. To save it from being demolished and replaced with modern structures, Mr. Huang started painting the remaining structures. Throughout history, art has proven itself as a powerful tool to express personal thoughts and feelings. It has also become an effective platform to encourage discourse on social issues and challenge the existing norms.