Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
challenge than they care for. Consider taking the train down to Dawu or getting a very
early morning start. Either way most riders can make it to Kenting in a day.
Chihpen (Zhiben)
Chihpen (Zhībě) lies about 15km southwest of Taitung in a canyon at the foot of the
Dawu Mountains. It's a popular hot-spring area, with rows of five-star hotels, garish
KTVs and traffic clogging the road into the canyon on weekends. At the far end of the
canyon is a lush jungle park with a beautiful banyan forest.
Sights & Activities
Chihpen (Zhiben) Forest Recreation Area
FOREST PARK
(Zhīběn Sēnlín Yóulè Qū;
www.forest.gov.tw
; admission NT$80; 7am-5pm)
This enchanting
forest park features a path of giants; giant white-bark fig trees, that is. These 'weeping
figs' have hanging ariel roots that form a complex spiderweb-like design. In the forest
it's also common to see Formosan macaques and even catch a glimpse of the tiny
Reeves' muntjac deer (barking deer), which makes a barking sound like a dog.
The recreation area is at the end of the road through the hot-spring area.
Hot Springs
The quality of the sodium bicarbonate spring water (colourless, tasteless and 90°C) was
first recognised by the Japanese, who built a resort here in the early 20th century. They
dubbed the area 'Chihpen', meaning 'source of wisdom'. Most hotels have hot-spring fa-
cilities that are open to nonguests.
Toyugi Hot Spring Resort & Spa
HOT SPRING
(Dōngyóujì Wēnquán Dùjiàcūn;
www.toyugi.com.tw
;
admission NT$300; 8am-10pm)
This resort
sits on a large shelf above the river valley, giving it a private feel in the madhouse that is
Chihpen. Facilities include a multipool complex, restaurant, and rooms and cabins (from
NT$3500 per night). To get to the hotel look for the sign a few kilometres down the main
road reading 'Journey to the East'.
Eating
The main road through Chihpen (Longchuan Rd) has plenty of small restaurants and
noodle stands selling decent local food at standard prices.
