Taiwan’s eastern counties of Hualien and Taitung are, as far as many travelers are concerned, where the real magic happens.
For culture vultures, ecotourists, foodies, and outdoor adventurers, this region holds an undeniable appeal. Its underdeveloped, unhurried charm is exactly what sets it apart from the fast-paced, efficiency-driven lifestyles that dominate the country’s northern and western parts.
There are no big cities here. Hualien City has just under 100,000 inhabitants, and Taitung City only slightly above that number. In both, you’ll find everything you need — and plenty to intrigue, charm, or surprise you.
The East compels your attention for many reasons, not least of which is its remarkable ethnic diversity. In recent decades, of course, people have moved away in pursuit of education and employment, but Hualien and Taitung have long been home to nine Indigenous groups, who continue to preserve and pass down their rich Austronesian cultural heritage from generation to generation.
These groups vary from seaside communities inhabited by the Amis people to Bunun outposts more than 1,000 meters above sea level. While the Amis cultivate rice and fish in coastal waters, the Bunun traditionally relied on a combination of high-altitude hunting and slash-and-burn agriculture. Each group has its own music and festivals.
Despite the mighty range of mountains that separates Hualien and Taitung from the rest of Taiwan, getting here by road or rail isn’t difficult. For those with a tighter schedule, there are domestic flights from Taipei to Hualien and Taitung. While a day trip from the capital is not entirely impossible, rushing through would miss the point entirely: the East is a gold-standard “slow travel” destination, a place where every sight and every morsel should be fully savored.
Several of the region’s most enchanting locations are within the East Longitudinal Valley, so called because it runs north-south, parallel to both the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range.
The valley’s landscape of forests and farmlands is the very picture of tranquility, but beneath the surface mighty tectonic forces are at work. Subterranean pressures are constantly pushing the Eurasian Plate under the Philippine Sea Plate, raising the Coastal Mountain Range and requiring relevant authorities to maintain and reinforce bridges and other infrastructure along the plate boundary.
This summer, the Tourism Administration’s East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area (ELVNSA) will be holding the sixth annual East Longitudinal Valley Festival, presenting unique culinary flavors and cultural heritage of these tribes through activities, markets, and performances. For outsiders, it’s an exciting opportunity to learn about and sample traditional delicacies created using age-old techniques such as curing, fermenting, pit roasting, slate grilling, smoking, and stone baking.
Among the foods you may get to taste is toron, an Amis treat made by pounding steamed glutinous rice into a sticky paste. It’s often likened to mochi, but unlike most of the mochi consumed in Taiwan, toron seldom features any filling, allowing its unique, chewy texture to be fully appreciated.
Another Amis classic is alivongvong. Its closest counterpart in mainstream Taiwanese cuisine is zongzi, the leaf-wrapped sticky rice parcels often enjoyed around Dragon Boat Festival. Like zongzi, these packets feature a hearty filling of rice and meat. However, alivongvong often combines both white and black glutinous rice, swaps standard pork for wild boar, and is wrapped in intricately woven screwpine leaves. When steamed, these leaves release a subtle, almost herbal fragrance that elevates what some see as a mere snack into a memorable culinary experience.
This year’s East Longitudinal Valley Festival is scheduled for August 20 to 23. Tickets are required for events on August 20 and 21, while admission is free for the final two days. For details about experiential activities, cooking classes, and food-tasting occasions, contact the ELVNSA or visit the East Longitudinal Valley Tour website.
The principal venue will be Luoshan Recreation Area in Hualien County’s Fuli Township. The area, which includes one of the region’s tallest waterfalls and a beguiling mud volcano, is just east of Provincial Highway 9.
The festival underscores ELVNSA’s commitment to sustainable development and local empowerment. By supporting community-led programs, the scenic area office connects travelers with authentic Indigenous cultures. These projects — several of which revolve around traditional foodways and handicrafts — not only ensure tourist dollars directly benefit local residents but also foster the survival and transmission of Austronesian aesthetics and heritage.
Those heading to eastern Taiwan ahead of the festival should consider making time for the 2026 Taitung Expo. Channeling the county’s laid-back vibe, this year’s theme is “Slow for Life.” The expo’s flagship events and exhibitions will be popping up at venues across the county until August 20.
Whatever the season, the East offers numerous things to do and see. If a tight schedule means you won’t be able to venture south of Hualien City, the following five sights can be seen in a single day.
The beach at Qixingtan isn’t suitable for swimming, and it’s a bit far from downtown Hualien if you’re riding a bicycle. But as soon as you gaze eastward over the sea and northward to Qingshui Cliff, where the uplands of Taroko National Park drop dramatically into the Pacific Ocean, you’ll understand why so many visitors make a point of coming out to this curving, pebble-strewn bay.
Heading back into the city, it makes sense to visit Pine Garden next. Dating from the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule, this two-story edifice served as an Imperial Japanese Navy command and communications post. Now transformed into a unique venue that combines history, culture, and art exhibitions, consider ordering a coffee and slowly taking in the city and ocean views.
The dignified building due west of Pine Garden is another colonial-era remnant. Renamed Karenko Broadcasting Station 1944, it entered service just 16 months before the end of World War II. It now serves as an exhibition space, and the museum inside displays several rare pieces of vintage audio and broadcasting equipment, taking visitors on a journey back through the early history of broadcasting.
A short walk from Pine Garden and Karenko Broadcasting Station 1944, Jiang Jun Fu 1936 is a new-yet-nostalgic attraction. Originally the official living quarters of the most senior Japanese military officer in the Hualien area, this set of charming Japanese-style wooden bungalows was meticulously restored and opened to the public in 2024, serving as a new leisure and cultural site. It’s a lovely spot to snap photos or linger to experience the unique atmosphere of the historic buildings.
As with many of Taiwan’s tourist attractions, admission to Karenko Broadcasting Station 1944 and Jiang Jun Fu 1936 is free for all sightseers. At Pine Garden, a ticket fee applies.
The Liyu Lake Scenic Recreation Area, a half-hour drive from downtown Hualien, is another place visitors can visit free of charge. That said, renting a bike, pedal boat, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is highly recommended. Immers-ing yourself in the landscape at your own pace is, after all, exactly what the most captivating travel experience in eastern Taiwan is about.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Travelers planning a trip to eastern Taiwan can gather additional information from the following websites:
East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area (multilingual)
East Longitudinal Valley Tour (bilingual)
2026 Taitung Expo (bilingual)
Tourism Administration (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (multilingual)
The 24-hour tourist information hotline at 0800-011-765, which is toll-free within Taiwan, can answer all kinds of questions in English, Japanese, and Chinese.
The central government’s Tourism Administration and International Trade Administration are collaborating to encourage international travelers attending MICE events in Taiwan to explore the country through the Travel Incentive Program. In 2026, the program provides travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit, with a maximum of NT$600,000 per proposal. The program aims to promote the development of both the MICE and tourism sectors, thereby supporting economic growth.
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