ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a trip
    • Overview
    • Places in the region
    • Food culture
    • Videos
    • Culture
    • Getting around
    • Round trips
    • Nearby
    East Taiwan

    Taiwan

    East Taiwan

    RegionNature

    The East Coast between Hualien and Taitung is Taiwan's wildest part: steep cliffs where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the Pacific, the Taroko Gorge, and the tranquil East Rift Valley with its rice paddies.

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Taiwan
    7. East Taiwan
    The East Coast between Hualien and Taitung is Taiwan's wildest part: steep cliffs where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the Pacific, the Taroko Gorge, and the tranquil East Rift Valley with its rice paddies.There is no high-speed rail here, but Taiwan Railway express trains connect Taipei with Hualien and Taitung. The region is home to many indigenous peoples, especially Amis, Truku, Puyuma, and Bunun. Following the April 2024 earthquake, many trails in Taroko Gorge are closed, but the coast and valley are easily traversable.
    Travel in Eastern Taiwan is slower. Express trains connect Taipei with Hualien (approx. 2h) and Taitung (4-5h), with the railway traversing the East Rift Valley in between. A rental car or scooter is practical for coastal roads and remote villages. Check the National Park Administration's latest notices before visiting Taroko Gorge.
    Taitung and Huadong Valley

    Place 1 of 2

    Taitung and Huadong Valley

    Taitung in the southeast is the quietest part of Taiwan: rice fields in the East Rift Valley between two mountain ranges, a sparsely developed Pacific coast, and a strong indigenous character.

    Taitung County (southeast) is Taiwan's most pristine region. Taitung City lies on a narrow plain between mountains and sea at the East Rift Valley's southern mouth.

    Discover
    Hualien

    Place 2 of 2

    Hualien

    Hualien on the east coast is the gateway to Taroko National Park and the Pacific coast, where the Central Mountain Range drops almost vertically into the sea.

    Hualien is the most important city on the east coast and a starting point for Taroko Gorge, the sea cliffs, and the East Rift Valley towards Taitung.

    Discover

    Food and Beverages

    The East is known for rice, Mochi, and simple cuisine.

    Chishang Bento

    Chishang rice lunchboxes, with several traditional shops located at the station.

    Mochi from Hualien

    Hualien is known for its Mochi, such as at Tzen's Mochi.

    Wan-Tan Soup

    The Yi Xiang in Hualien has been serving its wontons for over 70 years.

    Videos & Travel Reports

    A future for Taiwan's indigenous people

    DW Documentary on the lives and prospects of Taiwan's indigenous peoples.

    Pacific Indigenous Cultures

    In the east, indigenous peoples shape life more strongly than elsewhere. Many Amis live along the coast, the Truku in the Taroko Gorge, and around Taitung also Puyuma, Bunun and Rukai.Between the Central and Coastal Mountain Ranges, rice fields define the East Rift Valley. At Luye, hot air balloons ascend in summer during the Balloon Festival.

    Exploring the East

    Train: Taroko and Puyuma Express have reserved seats only and book up quickly on weekends.Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: Excursion buses from Taitung to the coast and the valley.Rental Cars and Scooters: Available at Hualien, Xincheng, Chishang, and Taitung train stations, with an International Driving Permit.

    Round trips through this region

    Taiwan around the island in 16 days

    The tour starts in Taipei with temples, museums, and night markets, then proceeds to the gold mining town of Jiufen. High-speed train to Taichung, bus to Sun Moon Lake, then into the Alishan mountains with its historic forest railway. The south offers Tainan's Old Town, the port city of Kaohsiung, and Kenting National Park's beaches. Back north via Taitung's East Rift Valley and Pacific coast to Hualien, gateway to Taroko Gorge, with some paths closed since the 2024 earthquake.

    16 Days
    10 stops

    Nearby

    Chishang

    Chishang

    Chishang, nestled in the East Longitudinal Valley, is a tranquil spot surrounded by rice paddies, just under an hour by train north of Taitung. Rental bikes are available at the station for a tour to Brown Boulevard, and Chishang rice lunchboxes are famous throughout Taiwan. The fields are golden from May to early June and from October to early November.
    Alishan

    Alishan

    Alishan is a forested mountain region in Taiwan's western Central Mountain Range, reached by a historic narrow-gauge railway from Chiayi. Ancient cypress forests, mountain villages, and stunning peak sunrises make it one of Taiwan's classic mountain destinations.The Alishan Forest Railway was built during the Japanese colonial era for logging, ascending from Chiayi at 30 meters to Alishan Station at 2,216 meters. En route, it traverses tropical, subtropical, and temperate forest zones. After severe typhoon damage in 2009 and 2015, it is fully operational again since July 2024. From Alishan, an early morning train takes you to Zhushan, where many observe the sunrise over the mountains.
    Taitung and Huadong Valley

    Taitung and Huadong Valley

    Taitung in the southeast is the quietest part of Taiwan: rice fields in the East Rift Valley between two mountain ranges, a sparsely developed Pacific coast, and a strong indigenous character. The region is suitable for slow travel by bike, train, or rental car.In the valley lie Chishang with the Brown Boulevard amidst vast rice fields, and Luye, where on the Luye Gaotai plateau, a multi-week hot air balloon festival has taken place every summer since 2011. On the coast north of Taitung City, an arch bridge connects the mainland with the rocky islands of Sanxiantai.
    Ita Thao

    Ita Thao

    Ita Thao, on Sun Moon Lake's southern shore, is the village of the Thao, one of Taiwan's smallest indigenous peoples. Many shops on the main street are owned by Thao families, and local eateries offer dishes like mountain pork, sticky rice, and millet wine. Boats run from Shuishe twice an hour, crossing in about ten minutes.
    Luye

    Luye

    Luye, located in the East Rift Valley north of Taitung, is accessible by train and especially known for its hot air balloon festival, which attracts thousands of visitors in summer. The high plateau Luye Gaotai offers expansive views over the valley. Like Chishang, Luye is well suited as a quiet base in the east.