Fun things to do in Taitung
If you don’t have a car, they offer pickup from Neiwan, which you can reach on the Neiwan train line. Another family friendly option in the area is Nature Valley Hot Spring Resort (天然谷溫泉會館). Art Spa Hotel (中冠礁溪大飯店) (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor) has a super tall hot water slide, loads of massage tubs, and more.
Galahe creek hot spring is located in Fuxing District, Taoyuan. From the parking lot, you can reach it within an hour by going downhill! There are 195 hotels in Taitung on Trip.com, including luxury, 最強伴手禮 boutique, and budget hotels. There are 4 five-star hotels in Taitung at an average price of 116 USD per night. There are 13 four-star hotels in Taitung at an average price of 81 USD per night.
The eight-arches cross-sea bridge taking you to Sanxiantai Island is a famous landmark in eastern Taiwan. The bridge represents the waves of the ocean and also the Chinese dragon. 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. Even though Chishang is quite small, it’s got a lot going for it!
In recent years, one of Zhiben’s 5-star hotels built a hot spring using a mountain source. Zhiben is situated in a green valley lined with rivers and streams. From both river and mountain hot springs, you can sit back, enjoy the lush mountains and the relax to the tune of babbling brooks. Whether you come here to soak in a hot spring, get a spa treatment or spend the night, you’re sure to have an amazing time.
Dynamic culture, beautiful landscapes, ecology, and agriculture all come together perfectly in Donghe. The aboriginal village of Wulai south of Taipei in New Taipei City is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and for good reason. Wulai features riverside hot springs, hiking, river tracing, and northern Taiwan’s tallest waterfall. A second option for getting from Taitung to Kenting is the slow route that mostly sticks to the east coast.
Therefore, it is heaven for wild animals because few people have settled in this area. In recent years, indigenous people along Taimali Creek have begun to host the Masalu Tour. Jinfeng Township is one of the major spots along the tour route. Well-trained indigenous guides now show the world Taimali’s special ecology that’s colored by Paiwan culture. Hot springs are also an important tourist attraction in Jinfeng.
Here, however, water wells out from the rock faces forming waterfalls. The water infused with sodium bicarbonate at Lisong Hot Spring is slightly alkaline with a pH level of around seven. The water temperature ranges from 45 to 65 degrees Celsius, is crystal clear and feels smooth to the touch. Soaking here improves circulation and leaves your skin silky and radiant. However, the journey to this hidden gem is relatively arduous. At times, you have to climb up rockfaces with the help of ropes.
Both of them have tons of different pools and are good for kids. To get there, you’ll need to take bus 1717, which goes up, over, and then down the backside of Yangminshan toward Jinshan. For more information on what kind of weather to expect, see my guides to visiting Taiwan in winter and the best time to visit Taiwan. Most mixed-sex hot spring pools require a swimming hat (泳帽), which you can buy on site if you don’t have. Some fancier ones provide you with a robe and other accessories. Travelers interested in prettier, emptier alternatives should take the 193 instead of the 9 as Nick recommends.
Just after Highway 11 reaches the coast, you’ll reach Farglory Ocean Park, the largest of Taiwan’s theme parks that has a marine focus. Although it’s not my cup of tea, and I’d rather sea dolphins in the wild such as on this dolphin and whale watching tour, Farglory is quite popular. You can also visit Luye byin a half day or or full day trip private car trip from Taitung, or as a part of this day tour.