When the day comes when you are able to travel freely to Taiwan, why not try something different from the usual activities of eating your way around the city and going on a journey in search of beautiful, unforgettable scenery?
Hualien Area
Hualien, located about 2 hours by train from Taipei and about 50 minutes from Taipei's Songshan Airport, is a popular tourist destination for Taiwanese people. It's also an easy place to take a day trip from Taipei, so we recommend taking a day trip to visit.
The impressive marble cliffs of Taroko National Park's Tunnel of Nine Turns
Taroko National Park is one of the must-see places in Hualien. It is one of the "Eight Views of Taiwan" recorded in the "Taiwan Prefecture Journal." The park is centered on a valley formed by the erosion of marble bedrock by the Liwu River. The contrast between the impressive rock formations and the green of the forest is beautiful.
It stretches 38km from north to south and 41km from east to west, covering a total area of 92,000 hectares. Within its vast area there are many scenic spots, but because it is so large, it is difficult to get around properly unless you decide where to go in advance.
So, for those who are unsure of where to visit, we recommend the "Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiujiu Dong)". Originally, it was constructed as a tunnel for vehicles to pass through, and there are marble rock walls overhead, and the rapids of the Liwu River flow below the promenade. No matter where you look, you can enjoy a spectacular view.
In the Tunnel of Nine Turns, there are still passageways that were built during the Japanese colonial period. Be sure to try and find them when you visit.
Chishingtan Beach is a great place to visit during sunrise
If you are staying in Hualien, we recommend watching the sunrise at Qixingtan Beach.
Qixingtan Beach is located in the Qixingtan Scenic Area, east of Hualien Airport. The view of the Pacific Ocean from the arched bay is beautiful even during the day, but the view of the sea at sunrise is exceptional.
It's not far from the Hualien Railway Station, so there are many guesthouses nearby, so you won't have any trouble finding a place to stay. Many locals get up early to see the sunrise, so if you stay overnight, you will always be told the time of sunrise the next day.
In fact, this place is only about 140km away in a straight line from Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture, the westernmost point of Japan. For that reason, some people may feel that the ocean scenery here is similar to that of Okinawa. The difference with Okinawa is that there is a lot of rounded gravel along the coast. Apparently, the rough waves have worn the stones down over a long period of time.
The sunrise seen on a clear day is beautiful, but the sunrise on a cloudy day is especially beautiful. You can see a fantastic curtain of light created by the light spilling down from the clouds.
Taito area
Taitung is an area located further east than Hualien. The fastest train ride from Taipei takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, so we recommend that you set aside 1 night and 2 days to sightsee. On the way, enjoy a leisurely trip, eating bento boxes while looking at the Taiwanese countryside scenery from the train window.
The most scenic station in Taiwan: Tuoliang Station
Duoliang Station was used as one of the stations on the Taiwan Railway's South Loop Line from 1992 to 2006, but is now an abandoned station building. It is said to be the most scenic station in Taiwan. Because it is so popular, there are plans to reopen the station after 2022.
The station building is located on a hilltop, overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean. When the Taiwan Railway train passes through the station, you will have the chance to capture both the Pacific Ocean and the train on camera. Train enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike will want to take photos.
The vibrant costumes of the indigenous people are a highlight at Bunun Tribal Leisure Farm
There are 16 indigenous tribes remaining in Taiwan, seven of which live in Taitung. The Bunun Tribe Leisure Farm, where you can learn about the culture of the Bunun Tribe, where the indigenous people of Taitung live, is located about 30 minutes by taxi from Taitung city.
The people of Bunun Tribe make their living mainly through hunting and farming, and their hometown is Taoyuan Village, Yanping Township, at the foot of the Central Mountain Range. In order to let ordinary tourists learn about their unique farming culture, they established a tourist center, Bunun Tribe Forest Leisure Farm, here.
The people of Nunō Village wear colorful ornaments and clothing. Here, you can not only experience folk dancing and make accessories, but also watch a stage performance of songs and dances praying for a good harvest. Local specialties are also sold, so you can pick up souvenirs that you can only get here.
Enjoy the typical Taitung scenery. View from the train window on the Taiwan Railway (Taitung Station to Jinlun Station)
The distinctive feature of Taitung's scenery is that you can enjoy both the coastline and the countryside at the same time. The route from Taitung Station to Jinlun Station is said to have the most beautiful scenery unique to Taitung.
We recommend the Gensho Guanshan Bento as a companion to your trip to enjoy this scenery. This bento comes in a cute wooden box and allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of rice from Guanshan, one of Taiwan's leading rice-producing regions.
Yilan Area
The last place I'd like to introduce is the Yilan area. It is one of Taiwan's leading resort areas, and can be reached in about an hour by train or bus from Taipei. It is a place where many Taipei residents stay on weekends, and it is also possible to go there from Taipei on a day trip. Hiking and trekking have become popular in Taiwan recently, and it seems that many people visit for that purpose.
Walk through the dense forest like an explorer on the Miharashi Kodo trail
The Miharashi Old Road on Mount Taiping is a promenade created using an abandoned railway line. Logging began on Mount Taiping in 1915 during the Japanese colonial period, and the "Mt. Taiping Forest Railway Miharashi Line" was used to transport the felled timber. Currently, part of it has become this promenade.
This place is covered with dense forests and often has fog and sea of clouds. The climate and atmosphere make you want to see a clear sky, so it was named "Miharashi" (view). The atmosphere along the way is irresistible for those who love adventure.
Mount Taiping is a popular summer resort. It is said that Taiwan does not have distinct seasons, but Mount Taiping can be covered in snow in winter. Even in summer, the weather can change easily, so we recommend bringing a jacket and sneakers.
A rare church that incorporates Chinese-style architecture: Seibo Shoten-do
Luodong is a city famous for its night market, but if you visit Luodong, be sure to stop by the church called Shengmu Shengdiantan.
This church was designed and conceived by an Italian priest and incorporates Chinese-style architecture. It is also known as a filming location for popular Taiwanese dramas, and is visited by many drama fans.
The vivid colors used are beautiful and exotic, and there are many things to see, such as the pastel-colored stained glass and the floral ceiling.
The area around the church is a Taiwanese downtown with a relaxed atmosphere, so take your time and explore.
When Taiwanese people talk about Taiwan, they use the expression "treasure island." Taiwan is a small island about the size of Kyushu, but it is packed with various attractions such as beautiful nature and indigenous culture.
There is an unprecedented boom in Taiwan in Japan, so if you are interested in Taiwan, we recommend you visit the country as many times as possible. No matter how many times you visit, Taiwan will always show you a new side of itself.
I'm sure both the people and nature of Taiwan are waiting for the day when the COVID-19 pandemic is over and we can travel freely again.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
