Located on Taiwan's southeastern coast, this calm region has hot springs, indigenous Amis settlements, and clear-water beaches. The annual hot air balloon festival draws visitors between June and August.
In Taitung, Taiwan's southeastern region, you can cycle past rice paddies in Chishang, soak in Green Island's saltwater hot springs, or watch dozens of hot air balloons take flight during the summer festival. The area, home to seven aboriginal tribes, sits between the Central Mountain Range and Pacific Ocean, with small towns, working farms, and fishing communities spread throughout the county.
Getting to Taitung
The Puyuma Express train from Taipei takes you directly to Taitung in about 3.5 hours. Two highways connect the city with Hualien in the north - Provincial Highway 9 along the coast and Highway 11 through the East Rift Valley. You can fly to Taitung Airport from Taipei and Kaohsiung, or take a ferry from Fugang Harbor to Green Island and Orchid Island.
Cycling in Chishang
The rice grown in Chishang's paddies is known throughout Taiwan for its quality. Mr. Brown Avenue, a 2.2km cycling path, runs through these fields. You can rent bikes from several shops in town, including Giant and Merida outlets. The flat terrain makes it an easy ride, with the Coastal Mountain Range creating a backdrop to the fields that turn from bright green to golden between June and November.
Aboriginal Life in Taitung
Seven aboriginal groups make up 35.5% of Taitung County's population. You can visit the Amis Folk Center to learn traditional weaving techniques, or time your visit for the Bunun Ear Shooting Festival in March, when hunters demonstrate their skills with traditional weapons. Local markets in Taimali and Dawu sell indigenous crafts and foods, including millet wine and wild herbs.
Exploring Green Island
A 50-minute ferry brings you to Green Island, where you'll find one of three saltwater hot springs in the world. Snorkel at Shilang Beach to see parrotfish and angelfish among the coral reefs, or dive at sites like Shark Point. The 20-kilometer coastal road takes about an hour to circle by scooter, passing the 1938 lighthouse and Zhaori Hot Springs, where you can soak while watching the sunrise.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
From July to August, hot air balloons launch daily from Luye Highland. Morning flights start at 5:30 AM, while evening shows begin at 6:30 PM with balloons glowing in sync with music. You can book tethered rides or full flights, and food stalls at the festival grounds serve indigenous dishes and Taitung specialties like sugar-apple shaved ice.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The National Museum of Prehistory houses stone tools and pottery from the Baxiandong caves, dating back 25,000 years. At the Taitung Railway Art Village, 10 renovated Japanese-era buildings now contain art studios and exhibition spaces. On Green Island, the former prison-turned-memorial includes guard towers and detention cells that tell the story of Taiwan's martial law period.
Climate and Seasons
Taitung's tropical monsoon climate means temperatures average 25°C year-round. Rain is common from May to October, typically in afternoon thunderstorms. November to April brings clearer skies and morning mist in the valleys. Typhoons can occur in summer, particularly during the July-August tourist peak when the balloon festival takes place.
