Notes

Explore taitung-city
With an area of nearly 300 hectares, it has an ice skating rink, water sports area, bike path and bird watching place. The park’s artificial lake is also home to the annual dragon 最炫伴手禮 boat races. Taitung, located in southeastern Taiwan, is known for its vibrant indigenous culture which is prominently showcased in the handicrafts and artworks found in the region.
Prices vary enormously, from less than a hundred dollars for a factory-made instrument to hundreds for a quality handmade item. The most prestigious instruments come from the town of Paracho, which is famous for its luthier craftsmanship. The decorative beasts are usually painted in bright colours, and you can find all manner of weird and wonderful creations. Note that it’s alebrijes from Mexico City that are made from papier-mâché, while examples from Oaxaca are usually made from wood.

To get there you’ll need to take a 50-minute ferry ride from Taitung. This vast, verdant valley stretches from Hualien to Taitung, offering a landscape filled with picturesque rice paddies, serene lakes, and charming rural villages. Dulan is a small town on the east coast of Taiwan, near Taitung. This place has emerged as a surf haven, earning the nickname “Dulan Surf Town”. Here you can admire an array of outdoor art installations and sculptures that dot the landscape along the beautiful coastline in the east. This area, once used as a waste material site during the construction of the South-Link Line railway, has been transformed into a vibrant recreational space that celebrates art, and nature.
Pictured here is the Cheng Huang temple.Located in southwestern Taiwan, Chiayi is the gateway to Alishan, a beautiful mountain range that is a top attraction. If you love swimming in crystal clear water, you should also check out the Mugua River Gorge, with its beautiful forest, waterfalls and blue waters. This street was created during Japanese colonisation and has Japanese baroque-style carvings in the shops, where you can buy wood carvings and other traditional souvenirs. This museum houses different glassworks, interactive displays, and a fun glass-blowing DIY workshop.
This is just a pullover on the highway, but I recommend stopping to enjoy the epic coastal view. Mushroom-shaped Lulian Island (金樽陸連島) is visible out at sea. It’s a bit of a hike out of town to actually reach the beach. For everything you need to know, including the best places to stay, see my guide to visiting Dulan. Dulan (都蘭) is the closest thing to a backpacker’s beach town in all of Taiwan.

Taitung is absolutely worth visiting, if only for Taimali Beach, which is the most beautiful beach in Taiwan, as far as I’m concerned. While I’ve personally come to appreciate Taitung as a relaxing city break from hectic Taipei, it’s also a wonderful road trip pit-stop. Yet another option for things to do in Taitung, particularly if you happen to visit between April and June when flowers are blooming, is driving up to Kinchen Mountain. In addition to offering gorgeous coastal views on clear, sunny days, you’ll have the opportunity to traipse amid fields of orange day lilies and blue hydrangea bushes. Taitung hotels do exist on either side of this middle range, however.
The best time to visit is between April and July with moderate temperatures giving way to more cultural celebrations and outdoor activities. 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. Their Milk SunCake (yes, it’s a thing) was recently voted one of the best souvenirs to take home from Taichung.

Visitors can purchase Taitung Blue Jade bracelets, pendants, and figurines as a special keepsake from their trip to the region. Moreover, visitors to Taitung can also explore a variety of wooden handicrafts, including wooden sculptures, furniture, and traditional wooden instruments. These products not only make for great souvenirs but also offer a glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of Taitung. Whether it’s a beautifully carved wooden figurine or a functional bamboo kitchen tool, purchasing these local handicrafts allows visitors to take home a piece of Taitung’s unique cultural identity. Another interesting souvenir option in Taitung is traditional indigenous crafts, such as hand-carved wooden masks, pottery, and jewelry. These handmade items showcase the skilled craftsmanship of the indigenous artisans in Taitung and provide visitors with a tangible connection to the rich cultural heritage of the region.
These masks are highly sought after for their hydrating and nourishing effects on the skin. Jialulan is a popular pitstop along Highway 11, so don’t expect to have it all to yourself. With that said, the park is huge, and there’s lots of space to get away from the large tour groups. Besides taking photos of all the cool artworks, the park also offers incredible coastal views.
As you wander around the factory, you’ll notice the rustic charm of the old machinery and the sweet smell of molasses in the air. Don’t forget to take a moment to snap some photos of the iconic red-brick chimney and the beautiful scenery surrounding the factory. Finally, unwind on the beautiful Dulan Beach, where you can soak up some sun and enjoy the relaxing ocean views.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. 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.
Eating is definitely one of the most satisfying things to do in Taitung, whether in famous Taitung Night Market on in sit-down restaurants that operate during the day. If you choose the latter strategy, I recommend following up a lunch of “short” rice noodles at Rong Shu Xia with a shaved snowflake ice at the cute shop just across the street. Image credit Google楊記家傳地瓜 Yang Potatoes is a popular souvenir from Taitung. Take note of the opening hours, the chips are sold exclusively at shop . Once we entered Taitung, we cycled 20km clockwise to eat and shop before returning our bikes . As we cycle from Highway 11, we will reach 台東森林公園活水湖 in Taitung.
Are you looking for a charming and historic destination to add to your travel itinerary? This mountain town, located just a short drive from Taipei, is known for its traditional architecture, winding alleyways, and delicious local cuisine. As you walk along the trails, you’ll be surrounded by verdant greenery and towering mountains. The fresh mountain air will invigorate your senses and rejuvenate your soul.
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