Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Luye
The township that ugliness forgot, Luye (Lùyě) was first settled by Amis and Puyuma
aboriginals who hunted the abundant herds of deer. After the Japanese settled the area in
the 1920s, they reportedly claimed this was the best place to live in Taiwan. Today, the
township is a prosperous tea-growing region, a popular retirement destination and, rather
incongruously, a centre for paragliding and the
Taiwan International Balloon Fiesta
(Rèqìqiú Jiāniánhuá;
http://balloontaiwan.taitung.gov.tw
)
. This hot-air balloon event, held each
summer from June to mid-August, is getting wildly popular, and in 2013, free-riding
(which means sailing on the balloons untethered) was added to the roster.
Township Rd 33 is the main route through Luye (turn off Hwy 9 at Km344.5). Keep in
mind the sprawl around the Luye train station off Hwy 9 is not at all representative of the
region.
Sights & Activities
Luye Gaotai
SCENIC AREA
(Lùyě Gāotái)
Luye's pastoral charms don't grow on you, they embrace you fast, like a
person you want to marry after a first date. And do! There's no better place to fall for the
township than the area known as the Gaotai, a fecund plateau rising sharply above the al-
luvial plains.
In addition to the orderly fields of tea and pineapples, and panoramic views, the lower
villages of Longtian and Yongan have maintained much of their historical character as
Japanese immigrant villages, and are worth a visit. The easiest way to find these villages
is to take Township Rd 34 off Hwy 9 just past the train station.
The Gaotai used to be a popular venue for tandem paragliding, but the future of that
sport is uncertain. Contact the
Luye Visitor Centre
( 551 637)
for more information.
To get to the Gaotai, take Township Rd 33 at Km344.5 and follow the signs up.
Hongye Hot Springs
HOT SPRING
(Shān Yuè Wēnquán Guǎn; per person NT$150; 2-11pm Mon-Fri, 10am-11pm Sat & Sun)
These
pleasant outdoor hot springs are just a quick hop from Luye; you could walk from the
Zixi Garden Lodge in about 20 minutes. At Km356 on Hwy 9, turn right and follow the
signs for Hong Ye Hot Springs (the old name for this place).
