December 2014

It's time for Taitung

Beautiful, cultural Taitung and the international traveler…

Taitung, an idyllic destination for surfing, eco-tourism, art, experiencing indigenous villages/cultures, triathlons, sports offers a diverse travel experience to its visitors. Just a short flight away from nearby cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai, Taitung’s warm steady climate is an easy escape from the cold winter climate for a sun-kissed weekend getaway.

Prices and tourist numbers in conventional western expat destinations in Southeast Asia are on the rise. And, as these places have already been well visited, western expats are setting their sights on new destinations. Thus, this is a great time to introduce them to Taitung.

Taitung occupies ten percent of Taiwan's land mass, but it is home to only about one percent of Taiwan's total population, making it an area of unspoiled natural beauty and diversity. In addition, one-third of Taitung's population is made up of indigenous people from seven of Taiwan's 16 officially recognized tribes. There are also Hakka communities, meaning that it is also a place of cultural diversity.

Taitung possesses two of Taiwan's five mountain ranges and the longest coastline of any county in Taiwan. Thus, Taitung is suited to the Western traveler looking for a unique vacation centered around sports, nature and cultural experiences. 

In terms of sports, eastern Taiwan is a favorite destination for cycling enthusiasts, especially the highway that runs along the spectacular Pacific coast. But, the areas of rift valley should not be overlooked, as they offer picturesque rural landscapes, such as the sometimes verdant and sometimes golden rice paddies of Chishang and the pineapple fields and tea plantations of Longtian Village.

The beaches of Donghe Township are perfect for swimming in the summer. But, come fall, the northeast monsoon winds whip up the waters bringing surfing enthusiasts from all over the world. Some of the best professional and amateur surfers can be seen at Jinzun Fishery Harbor in November, during the international Taiwan Open of Surfing.

Add a running component and all of the elements of a triathlon are in place. Several triathlons are held in Taitung each year, the most well known being Challenge Taiwan which takes place in April.

Take to the air for a real overview of Taitung's diverse natural beauty. Paragliding happens in Luye on any day of the year when the wind and weather conditions are right. Between early June and early August, the very popular hot air balloon festival is held, also in Luye. For those who like their views panoramic, while keeping their feet on the ground, there are spectacular historic trails to hike. For example, in Donghe Township, it takes several hours to reach the summit of Dulan Mountain, the sacred mountain of the indigenous Amis and Puyuma tribes. Along the way, hikers will pass a traditional ceremonial ground once used by indigenous hunters before heading into the mountains in search of game. 

In terms of cultural experiences, two large sugar refinery complexes in Taitung, which sat idle for decades, have been turned into art and culture spaces. At the Taitung Sugar Refinery and Dulan Xindong Sugar Refinery Culture Park it is possible to stroll through artist studios and handicrafts workshops and to watch artists and artisans at work. At the former, located in Taitung City, watch indigenous Paiwan artisans create colorful glass beads and at the latter, located in Donghe Township, it is Amis woodcarvers at work. Music is an important part of indigenous life and culture. Thus, live music performances, both spontaneous and scheduled, are ubiquitous in Taitung. Tiehua Village, Taitung City's premier nightlife spot, hosts music performances five nights a week, the vast majority of which are by indigenous musicians and singers. On weekends, the cafe at the Dulan Xindong Sugar Refinery Culture Park heats up with live music, mostly by local artists.  

Some indigenous communities offer the chance to experience life as it once was, such as the outdoor Forest Museum of Luanshan Village in Yanping Township. There, traditional Bunun structures have been built and the land has been left as is, allowing visitors to explore a natural maze of large boulders and trees. Indigenous village restaurants make use of what is in season and what they can catch and gather, such as fresh fish from rivers and ocean and wild greens. This mix of local and traditional ingredients cooked with modern methods create dishes that are flavorful and unique to this area.

Being that the locals are used to a slow pace of life, they are some of the friendliest people in Taiwan. Even if there is a language barrier, non-Chinese speaking visitors will still find that the interactions with the local people are some of their most unforgettable experiences. Instead of staying in a large hotel or resort, Western travelers are encouraged to spend some time in a family-run guesthouse. Guesthouse owners who are knowledgeable and passionate about their culture and communities bring a whole new perspective and can introduce guests to people and places not found in any guidebook.

As more and more people learn about the many advantages of Taitung tourism, there is a need to protect the area's resources and develop them in a sustainable way, so that tourism continues to provide income to local residents year round for a long time to come. This is an important mission of the Alliance Cultural Foundation. Tourism will hopefully bring back the young people to their communities as they see that there is value to their traditions and way of life and this in turn will encourage them to learn more about their culture and natural surroundings and work to preserve them. The result will be an even more powerful synergy between beautiful, cultural Taitung and international travelers.


Visit our travel websites: Travel Alliance | Art Alliance

Photos: Courtesy of Taiwan Strait Tourism Association Shanghai Branch Office