Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taroko National Park & the East Coast Highlights
Hike ancient hunting trails and marvel at marble canyon walls in
Taroko Gorge
(
Click here
)
.
Cycle down the winding coastline on
Highway 11
(
Click here
).
Photograph the magical floral landscape on
Sixty Stone Mountain
(
Click here
)
.
Swim in pools of crystal-blue water in the
Mugua River Gorge
(
Click here
)
.
Join aboriginal festivals all summer long (
Click here
).
Soak in wild and tamed hot springs like
Antong Hot Springs
all over the east
(
Click here
)
.
Retrace colonial history and nature-watch on the
Walami Trail
(
Click here
)
.
Check out a thriving local art and music scene at
Dulan Sugar Factory
(
Click
Roam the back country on
County Road 197
(
Click here
)
.
History
Archaeological remains found in the Caves of the Eight Immortals, south of modern-day
Shitiping, date the first human habitation on the east coast as far back as 25,000 years.
However, the region remained isolated and primarily aboriginal until the late 19th cen-
tury. To Taiwanese, this was the 'land over the mountains'.
Under Japanese rule, roads and rails lessened the isolation (by 1926, Hualien and Tai-
tung were connected) and the east was gradually opened to fishing, logging, gold mining,
tobacco growing and sugar production. Taitung was also built up as an air and naval base
for the empire's expansion into the Pacific. (The region's continuing strategic military
importance is reinforced nearly daily with F-16s roaring across the sky from Chih-hang
Air Base.)
Under Kuomintang (KMT) rule, transport to the east was further opened with the com-
pletion of the Central and South Cross-Island Highways (now both defunct), as well as
railway lines that connected the region with Taipei and Kaohsiung. This brought in a
fresh round of immigration. At the time of writing, a faster and safer highway connecting
Suao and Hualien was in the works, but plagued by heavy rainfall and earthquakes.
The east coast comprises about 20% of Taiwan's land, but is home to only 3% of the
population. The indigenous people, at about one-quarter of the population, have a strong
influence, reflected in the large number of annual festivals held throughout the year and
the food visitors will encounter. The Amis make up the largest subgroup with about
