Taitung Where to Buy Fun Souvenirs
When I visited Blue Dragonfly, I realised that it is an institution in Taitung as most locals had their first experience with local fast food through Blue Dragonfly before McDonald’s arrived in Taitung. The hot, fragrant and tenderly fried chicken and french fries set is very affordable and it is so refreshing to munch on fried goodness not produced in yet another big chain fast food joint. Alternatively, take a relaxing stroll or cycle down to the shore and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze. Located off the eastern coast of Taiwan, Green Island is a 台東市伴手禮 natural hub for endless outdoor activities. It is particularly famous for a cave that serves as home to a stalagmite said to resemble the Goddess of Mercy. Continuing north past Dulan, Jinzun Recreation Area (金樽遊憩區) is the next notable stop.
These take place twice a day, and only if there are enough people, so it’s better to come on the weekend and call first to confirm . Luye Highlands, which can be reached on a 30-minute scooter ride from Luye, 台東必買特產 are the site of the famous Taitung International Hot Air Balloon Festival every summer. Witnessing the festival, or riding in one of the ballons, is one of the top experiences to be had in Taitung.
taitung travel blogTaitung county includes the districts of Taitung and Hualien located in the east of the Central Mountain Range, also known as “Houshan”. The eastern region is characterized by hilly topography, and the scenic spots are mainly distributed in the East Rift Valley or the Longitudinal Valley and the eastern coastal region. Possessing dense forests, long coastlines filled with rivers and streams, and even small but rich plains, East Taiwan is more like a land of refuge than a boastful development as remaining regions. Also thanks to its characteristics, East Taiwan becomes an extremely attractive destination with many interesting things for tourists to explore and experience.
taitung travel blog
Lintiensan is one of the forestry towns of Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. In the 1960s, life here was very prosperous, so it was also called “little Shanghai”.
There’s also some original wooden Train Warehouses (台東舊站機關車庫 and 台東鐵道藝術村261倉庫) and Old Taitung Train Station Platform (台東舊站轉車台). The Beinan site has produced several artifacts linking Taiwan’s ancient peoples to the Austronesian cultures found throughout the South Pacific, from Madagascar to Hawaii. Most impressive among the artifacts found here are 200+ stone burial coffins. The site has even been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Taiwan doesn’t have any yet).
Everything catches the eye, whether it’s the aromatic coffee delivered in lacquered mugs or the lazy wind of a bamboo boat. While I love taking photos of every country I visit, I will admit that sometimes – photos aren’t enough. Tiehua Music Village is lit up with miniature hot air balloon lanterns in the evening. Taitung City converted several buildings of the old railway station into a exhibition space for local artists and artist in residence. The rooms are more spacious in this hotel and the bright designs of the rooms are both cute and whimsical.
On the 15th of the first lunar month is the Festival which in Taitung is played out with a unique and spectacular display known as the Bombing of Master Han Dan. In the course of this display a man wearing nothing more than a pair of shorts and a face mask stands upon a sedan chair while onlookers lob strings of lit firecrackers at him. From the north, the journey from Taipei takes 5½-7½ hr depending on the type of trains you take. From the south, from Kaohsiung to Taitung on the Southern route, the trip takes from just over 2 hr to a little over 3 hr depending on the type of train. It looks down over bluffs to the floor of the Beinan River, which flows out to sea at Taitung City, and looks across at the Luye Highland, venue for the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival. This is yet another great lookout spot for taking pictures when driving along the East coast of Taiwan.
In addition to the main multi-story computer malls, there are tons of little shops in the alleys around the neighborhood where computer nuts can totally geek out. Fits the bill nicely, having been made famous after being featured on a number of Asian food programs. A charming township great for a half day trip, Chishang has gained great popularity due to its Mr Brown Avenue (伯朗大道). Chishang’s romantic scenery with blue skies and vast green fields in the embrace of the East Rift Valley attract tourists who flock to the town on weekdays and summer holidays.
In recent years, Taitung has been regarded as the top destination for stargazing in Taiwan due to its remote location and the absence of high-level developments outside the city. The vast skies and lack of light pollution create the magical conditions for stargazing. Some places that provide outstanding stargazing encounters are the Diamond Avenue, Sanxiantai and Jialulan Recreation Area.
A pity that we couldn't relax, rest, or enjoy the hot sprig o swim in the water, and I didn't have fun rushing all the way back up, worrying we would get trapped in the dark...... It should be safe, only that we went after a typhoon passed by 3/4 days ago and it rained earlier on the day. I probably wouldn't have considered of going on a rainy day, had I know the hike is strenuous and we had cross the water. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. There are often different musical events or street art performances here. Did not see food places within the park so bring food/drinks...
Several ferries per day depart for Green Island from Fugang Harbor just north of Taitung City. You can pre-order your scooter here for pick-up when you arrive. Like Chishang, Guanshan is famous for its rice, which is best enjoyed one of the locally famous lunchboxes sold near the train station. Both highways include several worthwhile attractions, but the inland route is more popular and convenient due to the train. Alternatively, you can rent a scooter, hire a private vehicle with driver, or rent a car.
For adventurous travelers, I recommend driving up the mountain to La Wei of Forest Coffee Plantations. It is super challenging to drive off-road up the unlighted hills. (We had many doubtful moments and almost attempted to turn around.) But the nocturne view of the lighted city below and glowing moon in the sky makes the adventure so worthwhile. It is one of the most beautiful scenic spots on the East Coast. Surrounded by the coral reef, the island features lush greenery and excavated geological landscapes.