Central East Coast

Between Hualien and Taitung, the coastline rarely has more than a narrow strip of flat land fronting countless layers of plunging mountainsides, painted deep green with thick forests and interspersed with minor patches of orchard and rice terrace.

Much of the appeal is stopping at assorted viewpoints, beaches and headlands to gaze out over the Pacific. Heavy seas make swimming unwise in most places, but there are fine surf spots between Chenggong and Dulan, most notably off Jinzun harbour near Donghe. Artists' retreat Dulan is by far the most western-oriented village, though you might not notice that at first glance.

Explore Central East Coast

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Central East Coast.

  • Viewpoint

    Moonlight Inn

    For spectacular views looking down across Dulan towards the ocean and horizon-silhouette of Green Island, you can't beat the upper balcony of this little…

  • Park

    Shihtiping Geopark

    One of Taiwan's most beautiful areas of unspoilt coastline runs south from Fengbin, culminating at a headland beyond Shitigang fishing harbour, known as…

  • Island

    Sanxiantai

    The best-known icon of the whole east coast is the eight-humped pedestrian bridge that leads from a windswept headland to this craggy little offshore…

  • Viewpoint

    Fengbin Skywalk

    This short but memorable seascape experience includes a cliff-ledge walk where a 40m section is along a glass-floored protruding shelf above the Pacific…

  • Cultural Centre

    Amis Folk Centre

    On a convex grassy hillside amid trees both young and wizened, a series of contemporary outdoor sculptures add to wide sweeps of sea view. Down a stairway…

  • Arts Centre

    Dulan Sugar Factory

    One of the east coast's most appealing concentrations of craft shops, artists' workshops and quirky cafes is clustered around the former sugar refinery…

  • Amusement Park

    Farglory Ocean Park

    This family-oriented theme park combines Disney-style 'castle', cable car, Ferris wheel, log flume, rollercoaster and pirate ship along with some ocean…

  • Viewpoint

    Baci Viewpoint

    On a bend of Hwy 11, this small roadside rest stop has what is arguably the most beautiful panorama of the whole east coast. Leafy branches frame the…

  • Arts Centre

    Niushan Huting

    This eccentric if unpolished beachfront complex attracts visitors with its comically naive collection of driftwood art formed into gruesome faces beneath…

  • Monument

    Tropic of Cancer Monolith

    Busloads of visitors stop at Km69.8, where a tall, white monolith marks the Tropic of Cancer, though probably, before seeing it, few had ever stopped to…

  • Sculpture

    Patarongen Rice Terraces

    The indigenous Kavalan people migrated to Patarongen (新社; Xīnshè) from Yilan, settling on a nearly flat headland which they converted into terraced rice…

  • Cave

    Baxian Caves

    Backing a pretty landscaped garden right beside Hwy 11 are a series of rocky cliffs cut into which are at least 30 natural caves and crevices. Within,…

  • Landmark

    Water Running Up

    Is the anti-gravity stream-flow an optical illusion or a hydrological oddity? Decide for yourself while strolling this attractively landscaped park 1km…