Eastern Taiwan

Eastern Taiwan is Taiwan’s least populated region and an outdoor playground. First and foremost, Hualien is home to the longest marble canyon in the world, Taroko Gorge. Just south of Hualien City is the East Rift Valley Scenic Area, home to countless waterfalls, hikes, endless emerald green rice fields and the popular Walami Trail, Taiwan’s most famous cross-island traverse. Hualien and Taitung are also home to a large number of indigenous tribes—the Amis of the plains and coastal mountains, the Truku of Taroko Gorge, the Sakizaya of Hualien proper, the Bunun (famous for their sophisticated polyphonic vocal music) of Taitung’s mountains, as well as the Puyuma, Rukai, and the Tao ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has their own language, customs and delicious cuisine. In Taitung, Taiwan’s most relaxed city, the slowness is tangible and no one ever wants to leave. A trip to Eastern Taiwan is unforgettable.