Ultimate List of Things to Do in Taitung

We are here to help you travel better, cheaper & longer! Despite being among Taiwan’s smallest cities, with a population of just over 100,000, you’ll still find plenty of nice, well-priced hotels in Taitung. As the largest grassland in Taiwan, Chu  Lu Ranch not only has endless green grasslands, but also has 台東名產網購 many lovely cows roaming around the grassland. When you come here, you will feel like you are lost in a field of Europe. Visitors can also feed the cows and sample dairy products, the most famous of which is the milk cake. Taitung’s most well-known hot spring village is Zhiben (知本, also spelled Chihpen).
Tiehua Artist Village only comes alive at night, so it’s best to visit after 5 pm. Upon arrival, grab a Taitung travel map at the Visitor’s Center. Also make sure you have Google Maps downloaded on your phone. For more deets on must-have apps, check out my guide on the best travel apps for Taiwan. After finishing up all the Taitung tourist attractions I've mentioned in this post, you can continue south to Kenting.

The train line follows the coast here, before crossing over to the west coast of Taiwan. More remote Orchid Island (蘭嶼 or Lanyu) is home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe, the Tao people. The Tao are famous for their Flying Fish Festival, partially underground houses, and beautiful hand-carved traditional canoes. It’s a popular stop for drivers on the highway just a few minutes north of Xiaoyeliu.
The island was once connected to the mainland and used to be home to the Amis tribe, it’s now uninhabited and classified as a nature reserve area. A local legend state that one day, 3 gods visited the island  and left their footprints there. SourceEvery year, around the end of June, the Hot Air Balloon Festival takes place in Luye Gaomai. The international event is really famous and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The most famous place in the country for silver jewellery is Taxco, a day trip away from CDMX. Here, you’ll find workshops where the silver is crafted as well as markets where you can buy earrings, necklaces, and other jewellery to take back home. Another one of the classic souvenirs from Mexico City, you’ll need your mole paste if you want to recreate authentic enchiladas, soups, and more. Plus, it’s super cheap to get your hands on at either a local grocery store or a food-oriented market . What to buy in Mexico City if you’re a gluttonous gourmand? While culinary souvenirs are always doomed to be ephemeral since you won’t be able to resist eating them for long, they make a nice gift to bring back for family and friends.

Alternatively, spend one day driving from Hualien to one of the towns I recommend, spend the night, then spend the next day driving from that town on to Kenting National Park or Kaohsiung. Many travelers only spend one night in Taitung as a part of their round-island trip, or as an overnight trip from Hualien before heading back to Taipei. There are small coastal rock formations, swimming spots, SUP experiences, snorkeling, and scuba diving to be enjoyed on the island. If you do find yourself in town, Railway Art Village (鐵道藝術村 or Tiehua Music Village) is the coolest spot in town. It’s best to visit in the evening or weekends, when the small shops, bars & restaurants are open and there are regular concerts, often by aboriginal performers. Taitung is a spread out city with limited attractions, so I only really recommend spending a night here if you’re planning to catch a tour or ferry from there.
If you’re planning a road trip down the coast, also see my general Taitung guide, East Coast Taiwan road trip guide, Taroko Gorge guide, and recommended things to do in Hualien. Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Zhengqi and Bo’ai roads, this market is a great spot to grab souvenirs, try authentic Taiwanese food and get to know the local way of life. Most shops in Taitung can be found along neighboring Zhonghua, Datong and Zhengqi roads. These streets are lined with local shops and boutiques selling everything from local crafts, souvenirs, accessories and snacks.

Unless you have local resources , I highly recommend joining these tours on the East Coast for efficiency’s sake. If the name rings a bell, you’re thinking of Yehliu – one of northern Taiwan’s most famous geological wonders and a popular day trip from Taipei. Tiehua Music Village is a large outdoor music performance venue; at night, you can catch various artists performing around the park.
To experience aboriginal culture in the area, consider visiting or spending the night at Bunun Leisure Farm (布農部落休閒農場), which is run by the local Bunun tribe. Chishang (池上) is the first town you’ll reach in Taitung, and it’s my most recommended town for spending a night in Taitung. If you’re taking the train from Hualien, I recommend just coming directly here. Driving south from Taitung city, Highway 9 will become the coastal highway.
The last thing you want is to miss out on an awesome bargain just because you’ve forgotten to go to the bank. Back to more traditional fare, the Sonora Market is a sprawling area about a 20-minute walk from the Zocalo . While you can find a variety of fabric and ceramic goods, this place sets itself apart because of the unusual number of stalls dedicated to herbal medicines and occult objects. Found in the chichi neighbourhood of Polanco, not far from the Museo Soumaya and its extensive art collection, Antara is the place to go for fashion-oriented souvenirs from Mexico City. La Ciudadela is a Mexico City artisan market dedicated to folk arts and crafts from around the country.

And a huge selection of Australian gift ideas online, it’s a sure bet that you will find the perfect Australian souvenirs to take home or send overseas. If diving and snorkeling are more your "thing", you can always take a short ferry ride from the Chenggong Fishing Harbor to nearby Orchid Island. Home to the Tao, a Taiwanese Aboriginal tribe famed for their boat making techniques, Orchid Island is home to world-class snorkeling spots with large and well-preserved coral reefs. After taking a cool dip in the sapphire blue sea, you can enjoy a delicious traditional meal of flying fish.
We’re sure we don’t really need to explain what a sombrero is, as it’s quite possibly the most recognisable Mexican item of clothing of all time. Given the familiarity to foreign tourists, these wide-brimmed hats are pretty easy to find all over CDMX, made from either straw or the more modern felt. Many craftspeople in Mexico are trying to keep alive the artisanal traditions that once flourished around the country. By purchasing some of their pieces you are not only gaining a beautiful souvenir, but you are also supporting local creators.