Eastern Taiwan

As introduced by the Yearbook of the Republic of China:

Eastern Taiwan has some of the island's most beautiful and accessible attractions, notably Taroko Gorge, the East Coast National Scenic Area, and the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area.

Taroko Gorge, a spectacular marble-walled cleft that runs for 19 kilometers through the mountains near the east coast, is the focus of Taroko National Park. At the head of the gorge is the village of Tiansiang, which is known for its suspension bridge, pagoda, and a new five-star hotel.

Located at the eastern end of the Central Cross-island Highway, the city of Hualien is renowned for producing the best marble products on the island. The vast marble deposits in the area are sculpted into an amazing range of products, such as animal figures, chess sets, wine and coffee sets, bookends, ash trays, kitchen utensils, and furniture.

Hualien is also popular for performances of song and dance by the island's indigenous people. Nearly 80,000 aborigines, mostly from the Ami tribe, reside in the area. The annual Ami harvest festivals, which are held in more than 20 villages in Hualien and Taitung Counties on various days in July and August, are elaborate spectacles of colorful costumes, music, and dance. Tribal dances are also performed regularly at the Ami Culture Village, which is about a 15-minute drive from Hualien.

Most of the coastal road from Hualien to Taitung runs through the East Coast National Scenic Area, an isolated, unspoiled region where development is strictly controlled to preserve the area's natural beauty. The coastal highway's attractions include picturesque temples inside mountain caves, ancient banyan trees, coral reefs, fantastic rock formations, and deserted beaches that stretch for miles.

The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area covers the inter-mountain valley in Hualien and Taitung counties, with the exception of the nine urban planning areas of the National Dong Hwa University special district. The total area is 138,368 hectares. The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration was established on April 15, 1997, to develop the area.

Just south of Taitung is the Jhihben Hot Springs resort, which offers several interesting sites for tourists. First are the hot springs themselves, with the Jhihben resort providing many public bathing facilities and nearby hotels providing additional private ones. A short distance from the hotels is a path that leads to the beautiful White Jade Waterfall. Inner Hot Spring, two kilometers down the main road from the Jhihben Hot Springs, has newer hotels and a mineral water swimming pool. On a lane off the main road from Jhihben to the Inner Hot Spring is Cingjyue Temple, which has two large Buddha images: one of bronze from Thailand and the other of jade from Burma. A suspension bridge leads to the Jhihben Forest Recreation Area, which is located on a mountainside covered with bamboo groves and dense forests. The recreation area offers a riverside picnic spot, campground, bonfire area, flower garden, and a footpath to a waterfall. Near the top is a huge banyan tree, whose long, gnarled roots surround half of a restful pavilion.

Green Island, located just off the Pacific coast of Taiwan, is now a part of the East Coast National Scenic Area. The island is known for its saltwater hot spring (one of only three in the world), coral reefs, and spectacular coastal scenery. The island's reefs, waters, and beaches are great for fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Just south of Green Island lies Orchid Island, which takes its name from the wild orchids that grow in the hills. Orchid Island is inhabited by the Yami, one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, who do some farming but rely primarily on fishing for a living. The intricately painted wooden boats used by the tribe are built entirely by hand and are joined together by wooden pegs.