Taitung

Taitung is the seat of Taitung County on Taiwan's southeastern coast, where the Beinan Plain opens between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its relaxed pace, Indigenous cultural heritage and easy access to beaches, rice paddies, hot springs and offshore islands.

Formerly called Baosang, the area grew from a Beinan Plain settlement into an administrative and transport hub. The National Museum of Prehistory and Beinan Cultural Park preserve one of Taiwan's most important archaeological sites, while the former railway corridor now runs through the city as the Taitung Railway Art Village.

Central attractions include Taitung Forest Park, Seashore Park and the hilltop viewpoint at Liyu Mountain. Tiehua Music Village and the Taitung Sugar Factory Cultural and Creative Park add live music, markets, cafés and galleries, and night markets along Zhengqi Road fill the evening with street food stalls.

Taitung is the main gateway to the East Coast scenic area, Green Island and Orchid Island, with ferries leaving from nearby Fugang. Food specialties include rice noodles, seafood, custard apples, Chishang rice and Indigenous-inspired dishes, while the summer Taiwan International Balloon Fiesta draws visitors to nearby Luye.

For leisure travellers, the city offers a calm base for cycling, coastal day trips and slow travel; for business and event visitors, it provides practical transport links, hotels and venues tied to regional agriculture, culture and tourism.