Eastern Taiwan travel guide
台湾东部
Eastern Taiwan travel guide with a day by day itinerary, 11 places with tickets and opening hours, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.
11 places · In the guidebook: pages 2723–2730
Eastern Taiwan, Taiwan Region · AI illustration for China Trip
The feel of the place
The east coast of Taiwan differs from Taipei, Tainan, Taichung and other cities in that it showcases a more untouched, primal character. Along this long route, you will easily encounter gorges, forests and coastal scenery that contrast with the concrete jungle of the city. Along the way you can also soak in hot springs and browse night markets, and if you have time, enjoy outdoor activities such as climbing Yushan (Jade Mountain). If you simply want to relax, the sunshine, beaches and ocean along the east coast are more than enough. You can also visit the famous Green Island and hum “Green Island Serenade.” Travelling the Taitung Line will give you a very different experience.
Flight Information
1. Taipei–Hualien and Taipei–Taitung: UNI Air and TransAsia Airways.
2. Taichung–Taitung and Taichung–Hualien: Mandarin Airlines.
3. Taitung–Kaohsiung: Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air.
4. Taitung–Green Island and Taitung–Lanyu and other islands: Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air.
Rail Information
1. The North-Link Line has 3 daily Tze-Chiang (自强号) express trains between Taipei and Taitung (via Hualien), taking about 6 hours. There are 6 daily Chu-Kuang (莒光号) trains, taking about 7 hours. There are also 3 daily Tze-Chiang trains between Taipei and Hualien, taking about 3 hours, and 4 daily Chu-Kuang trains, taking about 3 hours 45 minutes.
2. The South-Link Line has 3 daily Tze-Chiang trains between Kaohsiung and Taitung, taking about 3 and a half hours. There are also 3 daily Chu-Kuang trains, taking about 3 hours 40 minutes.
Preparation and Information
Language
Hualien County is one of the areas in Taiwan with the largest Indigenous populations, with the Amis people the most widely distributed. However, the common language is still Taiwanese-accented Mandarin, so communication should not be a problem.
Climate and Best Season
The whole route is mild in winter and cool in summer, with spring-like weather year-round. It is suitable for travel in every season.
Things to see
Guishan Island (Turtle Island) takes its name from its striking resemblance to a sea turtle. It is one of Taiwan's remaining active volcanoes, and the island has a smell of sulphur.
Jimmy Park
1–2 hours · Free
Jimmy Park takes "memories of fleeting scenery" as its theme. It features art installations based on scenes from the works of renowned picture-book author Jimmy Liao. It breaks the stiff image of a typical transit station, making waiting for a train fun. The park deliberately preserves historic buildings and shady old trees, transforming what was once an abandoned plot of land into a colourful art park. Visitors feel as if they have walked into a picture book and can explore Jimmy Liao's illustrated world.
Su'ao Cold Spring
1–2 hours · Cold spring NT$200; cold spring + hot spring NT$300
Su'ao Cold Spring and Jiaosi Hot Spring are known as the two natural treasures hidden underground on the Lanyang Plain. Su'ao Cold Spring is a "low-temperature mineral spring" with a temperature below 22°C. Its water is clear and transparent, and it is a carbonated spring that can be both bathed in and drunk. When you first step into the pool, it feels rather cold, but within five minutes your whole body begins to warm up. Bubbles constantly rise from the bottom of the pool, so it feels as if you are soaking in soda water, which is quite unique. It is said that regular soaking in Su'ao Cold Spring can improve skin conditions, and long-term drinking of the water is believed to help with stomach and liver ailments.
Green Island
Green Island is famous across Taiwan not only because of the song "Green Island Serenade," but mainly because the island boasts Chaori Hot Spring, one of the world's three major undersea hot springs, along with Green Island Lighthouse, Hagou Rock, Sleeping Beauty Rock and other scenic sights. The island also has a diving service station that provides diving equipment, so you can go diving here.
1–2 days
Taiwan Traditional Arts Center
The Taiwan Traditional Arts Center was jointly designed by several architects, presenting Taiwan's traditional architecture in an exquisite way. Highlights include the Theatre Hall, the Quyi Hall, the Library, the Craft Workshop, the Mu-Tzu Kiln, the Folk Lane, the Accommodation Center, the Wenchang Shrine, the stage, and the Former Residence of Huang Juren, each with its own distinct character.
1–3 hours
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park spans Hualien, Nantou and Taichung. Established in 1986, it is the second-largest park in Taiwan. It is impossible not to marvel at the awe-inspiring artistry of nature in such a magical place, where the mountain roads are steep and the scenery is simply unmatched.
0.5–1 day
Qixingtan Scenic Area
Qixingtan Scenic Area lies to the northeast of Hualien and is renowned for its graceful arc-shaped bay and pleasant natural scenery. Bicycle lanes are the main way of getting around, and many attractions line the route, including the Stone Sculpture Park, the Stargazing Plaza and the Sunrise Tower. In the evening, you can also enjoy views of the lights of Hualien's Xincheng district.
1–2 hours
Qingshui Cliff
Qingshui Cliff lies in the northern part of Hualien County and is one of Taiwan's Eight Scenic Wonders. The Suhua Highway (苏花公路), which connects Yilan and Hualien, was built along this fault coastline. As you drive along the road, you gaze up at towering cliffs and steep mountains, and look down at waves crashing onto the shore and the vast sea. The grandeur and beauty of nature here leave visitors reluctant to leave.
0.5–1 hour
Ruisui Ranch
Ruisui Ranch lies within the Wuhe Scenic Area. The scenery is bright and charming, the water sources are clean, and the air is fresh, making it an ideal place for family trips. At the dairy cow farm, you can stroke the cows' heads and feed them some fodder. Grass is sold on site at NT$20 per bundle. At the shop, you can taste fresh milk that is milked and brewed every day, as well as warm, fragrant milk steamed buns and original-flavour milk nougat.
1–3 hours · Free
Orchid Island
Orchid Island is a volcanic island off eastern Taiwan. Its coastline is lined with beaches formed from coral reefs in a striking variety of shapes, creating beautiful, relaxed scenery that is ideal for sea fishing and diving. Every year from March to July, the local Tao people hold a range of ceremonies centred on flying fish, collectively known as the Flying Fish Festival, which is well worth seeing.
1 hour
Zhiben Hot Springs
This is the most famous hot spring town in Taiwan, celebrated as the "No. 1 Scenic Spot in East Taiwan." The water quality of Zhiben Hot Springs is excellent, and it is said to help with skin diseases, arthritis, neuralgia, blood circulation, and the relaxation of muscles and joints. Several privately invested tourist hotels have been built in the Zhiben hot spring village, making accommodation, soaking and spa treatments all very convenient within the hot spring area.
2–3 hours
Brown Boulevard
Brown Boulevard is known as the "Emerald Paradise Road." Its vast rice paddies, with ears of grain swaying in the wind like rolling waves, are unforgettable. Rent a bicycle and take a leisurely ride here to escape the bustle and noise of everyday life.
2 hours · Free
Getting there & around
The Taitung Line runs through the entire Taitung region. Apart from Yilan, all areas can be reached by Taiwan Railways. Centred on Hualien Station, the North-Link Line runs north through Yilan to Taipei and the west, while the Hua-Dong Line runs south directly to Taitung and connects with the South-Link Line. Fenglin, Guangfu, Ruisui, Yuli and Fuli are the main stations in the region.
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2723–2730. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version