Taitung Hsien Hotels

Tempting Taitung Hsien

If you’ve got a thing for sprawling greenery and traditional architecture, you’ll love Taitung Hsien. With little by way of tourist attractions, this ancient Taiwanese city doesn’t have the hectic night markets or the neon superclubs of Taipei. But there’s something that makes it distinctly Taiwan – and it’s more than just the scarcity of 7-Eleven convenience stores. ... Read more »

Just south of the East Rift Valley,Taitung Hsien also offers more in the way of architecture than its odd mix of dilapidated Japanese and Chinese constructions. The Chingchueh Temple is particularly spectacular, although you can have an equally transcendent experience just by looking out over the rice fields and lush green surrounds of Jhihben National Park.And since you’re pretty much doing nothing anyway, do it in the utmost comfort at Chihpen Hot Springs.

Taitung Hsien's Top 10

10. Hualien This equally magical town makes a convenient pre- or post-Taitung stopover.	5. Tianhou Temple There are temples everywhere, but this one should catch your eye with its ornate decorations.
9. Shanyuan Swimming Beach Make the most of this wide stretch of sand – it’s the region’s swimming beach.	4. Taitung Culture and Tourism Center Technically two buildings – one’s a library, the other’s an exhibition hall.
8. Taitung Forest Park Do as the locals do and rent a bike to explore this natural park.	3. Taitung Railway Art Village This old railway station has been converted into a place for local artists to exhibit their creations.
7. Taitung Seashore Park Charming walks along the beach, and a prime spot to do some wildlife watching.	2. Beinan Cultural Park This marks the spot of the leading archaeological sites in Taiwan.
6. Liyushan Park Take in panoramic views of Taitung from the trails and lookouts.	1. Museum of Prehistory Some 1,500 stone coffins were excavated near here in the 1990s.

Taitung Hsien History

Hai Mountain Temple – Built in 1874, this temple is the oldest in east Taiwan. Three large Buddha statues sit in the main halls and date back to 1895 to 1945.
Beinan Cultural Park – Home to the largest and most complete prehistoric site in Taiwan.
National Museum of Prehistory - The national museum on this Taitung Hsien site contains relics from 2,000 to 3,000 years ago.
Xiaoyeliu – A geological rock formation consisting of several unusual shapes, like missiles all aiming the same direction.
Baxian Caves – Named after a group of famous Chinese deities, this is the location of the first prehistoric site found in Taiwan. There are 16 different caves to explore.

Taitung Hsien Art & Culture

Chinshang Pastoral Farm Resort – This farm features Mongolian cuisine, souvenirs and a small museum containing Mongolian artefacts.
Orchid Island – Home of the Yami, where men wear narrow loincloths while fishing and the community performs elaborate boat launching ceremonies.
Amis Folk Centre – View displays of traditional dwellings, see traditional weaving in action and watch an outdoor performance by the tribe.
Lidao – The small mountain village of the Bunun tribe. Taste local food and interact with locals.
Taiwan Lantern Festival – Celebrations occur throughout Taiwan, including Taitung Hsien, and feature both traditional and high-tech events and displays.

Taitung Hsien Shopping

Luye Recreational Tea Farm – The tea grown here has extraordinary flavour. Tea products can be purchased and enjoyed here.
Chenggong Fishing Harbour – The largest fish market in the Taitung Hsien area.
Fruit Stands – There are a variety of fruit stands run by locals that sell items like custard apple.
Ata Aboriginal Culture Craft – Located in a defunct sugar factory, you can purchase handicrafts, textiles and glass beads made by locals.
Eslite Bookstore – If you need something to read, this is the largest bookstore in the city.

Gay & Lesbian Taitung Hsien

Dateline Life Villa – A gay-friendly private villa that offers a quiet place to stay.
G-Night – A popular gay and lesbian bar.
Beach Park – Gays and lesbians go here to socialize.
Bear House – Contains a Japanese-style snack bar and pandas.
Café Dalida – A gay bar that offers cocktails, coffee and a friendly Taitung Hsien atmosphere.

Taitung Hsien Outdoor

Wulu Gorge – A suspension bridge provides a great view of this beautiful mountain stream and surrounding area.
Wulu Hot Springs – Hot water that is approximately 70 to 80 degrees Celsius gushes from the narrow cracks in the mountain cliffs.
Water Running Up – A natural phenomenon at the Dulan irrigation channel where water appears to run uphill in defiance of the laws of gravity.
Guan Mountain Water Park – Paddle across the serene Xinwu River in paddleboats.
Dapo Pond – Approximately 28 hectares of natural wetlands near Taitung Hsien that are home to a variety of birds and fish.

Taitung Hsien Sport

Rent bicycles and bike around Guan Mountain Township.
Take a hike around Donghe Farm near Taitung Hsien.
Arrange to go paragliding on the Luye Recreational Tea Farm.
Go horseback riding at Chulu Ranch.
Explore the coral reefs and tropical fish around Sanxiantai Island.

Taitung Hsien Events

The biggest cause for celebration in Taitung is Chinese New Year. There’ll be parades, parties and fireworks across the city during January/February.

The Bombing of Master Han Dan takes place just after Chinese New Year, and is truly unique. A man wearing nothing more than a pair of shorts and a mask stands on a chair while onlookers throw strings of lit firecrackers at him.

The Tianhou Templeis showered in decorations in April or May for Mazu’s Birthday, and locals visit to pay respects.

Taitung celebrates Ghost Festival in August with the unusual combination of money-burning and Taiwanese opera.

Family reunions are commonplace during the Mid-Autumn Festival in September, when the moon is at its fullest.

When To Go

Autumn (September to November) is a good time to visit. It is warm and dry and the pollution is at a minimum.

Visiting in spring (March to May) can be a bit of a gamble. It can either be clear and dry or wet and grey.

Be aware of typhoons if you’re visiting Taitung between June and October, and note that the weather will be hot and sticky.

Getting Around

The public transport system in Taitung is not the best. There are some buses, but unless you can read Chinese you may find it difficult to make sense of the timetable.

There are plenty of taxis around, but make sure they use the meter.

Walking is a good way to get around this fairly small city, and you’d be doing something wrong if you didn’t take advantage of all the bike trails.

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