Thanks to its relatively late development, Taiwan's native aboriginal culture is preserved. Taiwan has several hot springs but Beitou is probably the most famous hot spring in the country. The surrounding area around the natural hot springs was developed into a resort destination filled with resorts, inns, tea houses, parks, and public baths during the Japanese occupation. Up to the present, it still retains the Japanese ancient architecture.
SourceGreen Island is a divers’ paradise, only an hour away from the shore by ferry. This small volcanic island has a lot to offer and features stunning coral 台東必買美食 reefs – perfect for snorkeling or to go diving. There are a lot of superb landscapes and scenery to see as well as good trekking and diving opportunities.
During the day, it’s a fruit market, then it turns into a night market serving mostly snacks on the evenings, from Thursday to Saturday. During summer, boats leave frequently so you can plan a day trip from Taitung. If you want to spend the night, consider staying at Sanasai Inn right on the beach with ocean view rooms with AC and private bath. SourceMore commonly known as Orchid Island, Lanyu is a small island off the east shore of Taiwan. Lanyu is an off-the-beaten-path hidden gem, one of Taiwan’s remotest islands, and is full of surprises.
Taitung’s Taiwanese meatballs are very famous in the world of snacks. The steamed buns of Donghe and Beinan are renowned far and wide, the unique preparation method and the use of fine quality ingredients making the shell soft but chewy and the filling tender and juicy. If you happen to be in Taiwan in the winter, don’t miss the chance to experience the Yuan Xiao Festival, where mochis are in demand. The mochi or sticky rice is so tasty, stuffed with the sweet or tangy filling, seeping out the squishy white skin.
I have been to Kaohsiung and Keelung and enjoy and visiting, but need to explore more of this beautiful country. I recommend staying at Tiin Tinn – Rivershore B&B, it’s close to everything, clean, and the staff is friendly. The rooms are small but comfy, the decoration is great, and everything looks brand new. The best way to get from Taichung to Taitung is by train, it takes less than 4 hours and cost between $21 to $35 USD.
You can also explore the city on this guided Taitung city attractions tour or this electric bicycle guided tour. In fact, inventors are responsible for you reading this article on your phone, tablet, or computer right now. Without people creating technologies like the one you’re using, our world would be drastically different.
We were more impressed by Rover Café (蘭嶼旅人) between Yuren and Hongtou Villages on the coastal side of the road and overlooking expansive Badai Beach. The beanbag chairs and hammocks are as close as you’ll get to a Southeast Asian vibe on Orchid Island. The menu features yummy fruit smoothies, a range of cocktails, and a handful of Western/Asian dishes. One street off the main road in Yuren, you can also find Epicurean Pub (無餓不坐風味餐坊). Richard describes it as the only Western-style pub on Orchid Island, but we found it to be neither Western nor a pub.
So unfortunately you won’t find any of the Paiwan’s traditional slate houses here . That said, Nantian still remains a thriving center of traditional Paiwan culture, with the added appeal of boasting spectacular coastal scenery. South Link actually refers to the seaside-hugging train line that runs down from Taitung City, reaching as far as Dawu before it cuts inland and west. The ride in and of itself is worth the trip, traversing steep cliffs and offering near constant views of the vast Pacific Ocean. South Link strings together a handful of picturesque Paiwan indigenous villages, all of which are worth an afternoon of your time.
Xiaoyeliu is the first noteworthy stop when heading north on Highway 11, about 10 minutes’ drive north of Taitung city. You can also get there by taking Taiwan Tourist shuttle 8101 or Puyuma Luhaikong Express A. Chishang is known across Taiwan for its famous Brown Boulevard (池上伯朗大道), a cycling path through a gorgeous region of rice paddies. The attraction was catapulted to fame after an Eva Airlines commercial starring Japanese-Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro was shot there.
This rocky, tree-lined canyon has a river at the bottom, while its forests shelter different species of animals. The place is also famous for its marbles while its picturesque scenery makes it an excellent hiking site. Should you want to explore its attractions you can check out Shakadang Trail, Yanzikou Trail, and Lushui Trail.
Orchid Island is considered one of the main offshore islands of Taiwan – to learn about others, read my guides to Penghu, Xiaoliuqiu, and Cijin, and Heping Island in Keelung. Planning a trip to Orchid Island comes with a few challenges, but visiting may also be one of the most rewarding and memorable places to visit in Taiwan. Although it is well off the coast, Orchid Island is part of Taitung county, and you’ll find it on my list of favorite things to do in Taitung. The present village was developed during the Japanese colonial era.
Taiwan once dominated the Little League Baseball World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. There was also a time where non-USA teams were prohibited from competing, initially attributing it to hefty costs of travel, but some say it was due to the growing success of the Far East teams. The National Museum of Prehistory consists of a museum, historical sites and a natural ecological park.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try them as we left early the next morning. Luminous Hot Spring Resort is an old hotel, judging by the layout of the room and the scarce supply of sockets near the bed. The rooms at the topmost floor are rather large, especially for a solo traveler. There’s also an outdoor seating area if you wish to eat at a more casual atmosphere.
Throughout our travels on the island, we couldn’t help but notice and thoroughly enjoy the large number of goats there. They are even more ubiquitous than Tao canoes, and appear on many maps, restaurant signs, and hotels. Just after Langdao Village, there’s a great swimming spot on the coast called Roasted Goose Rock (燒鵝岩), which features a large, calm pool of seawater that you can jump into from various points. Watch for the parking lot on the right side just after an unfinished white church on the left side, just west of town. After Dongqing, Lover’s Cave, and Ghost Cave, the next point of interest is Shell Beach (marked Shell Sand or 貝殼砂 on GoogleMaps). It’s not actually a beach, but a scenic little spot with coastal pools of seawater and awesome views down the coast.