TW · Taitung County · 22.76°N 121.14°E

taitung

Slow east-coast life, a hot air balloon festival and rice-field cycling at Chishang.

Best time
Summer brings the balloon festival at Luye, but also typhoons. Chishang's rice turns gold around late June to July and again in October to November. Winter is mild and dry.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Taipei (about 5 hours), then take a domestic flight to Taitung (about an hour) or the train down the east coast (about 3.5–4.5 hours). From Kaohsiung, the train takes about 2 hours.
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TW · Taitung Countytaitung22.76°N 121.14°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Slow east-coast life, a hot air balloon festival and rice-field cycling at Chishang.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingTaitungTW, Taitung County
KLtaitung
≈ 3,025 km from KL, as the crow flies
​台東鯉魚山俯瞰市區

Photo: Liaon98 · CC BY-SA 3.0 tw

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A laid-back city on Taiwan's south-east coast, with the Pacific on one side and mountains on the other. It's the jumping-off point for Green Island and Orchid Island, and the gateway to the rice fields and hot springs of the East Rift Valley. Many of Taiwan's indigenous communities live in the county.

Makan

  1. Chishang lunch boxBento built around Chishang's well-known rice, sold all over the county.Map ↗
  2. Sugar appleTaitung is Taiwan's sugar apple country. Try them in season.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Luye HighlandA grassy plateau where the hot air balloon festival runs every summer. Tethered rides are popular.Map ↗
  2. Chishang and Brown AvenueCycle a straight road through open rice fields with mountains behind, about an hour north.Map ↗
  3. SanxiantaiAn eight-arch footbridge out to a rocky island on the coast north of the city.Map ↗
  4. Taitung Railway Art VillageThe old station area, now a park with markets and art.Map ↗
  5. Zhiben Hot SpringsHot spring resorts in a river valley just outside the city.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Public transport is thin outside the city. Rent a car or scooter, with an international driving permit that covers it.
  • Book early if you're visiting during the balloon festival.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.