The "Diamond Avenue" in Taitung stretches straight across the mountains toward the azure Pacific Ocean.

Text/Photos byDouglas Fang

Visit Date: 2017.8.5

On the third day of my trip to Taitung, I decided to drive along Provincial Highway 11 along the coast, stopping at various attractions along the way. Along the route, I passed the Jialulan Recreation Area, Golden Cup Coffee, Sanxiantai, and Shiyusan, finally arriving at Diamond Avenue in Changbin, Taitung. I must say, while the drive wasn’t too stressful, the distance was quite far—about 80 kilometers from downtown Taitung.

There weren’t many signs along the way, so I wandered around for a while that day before finally finding the entrance. To be precise, it’s near the intersection of Kilometer 83.8 on Provincial Highway 11 and County Road 13 in the east. After turning left, you’ll see a sign for the Zhongyong Bicycle Path. Seeing this sign means you’re on the right track. After a few turns, the legendary Diamond Avenue comes into view.

In recent years, the most famous avenue in Taitung has undoubtedly been Brown Avenue in Chihshang. During the rice harvest season, Brown Avenue is a golden-yellow thoroughfare. Diamond Avenue in Changbin, Taitung, however, may not be as well-known due to its relatively remote location.But this Diamond Avenue is definitely worth a visit if you have the time and opportunity. There are no unnecessary utility poles on this straight road, which runs directly from the mountain ridges behind to the deep blue Pacific. With clear skies, it’s even hard to distinguish between the sea and the sky. There are also many rice fields along the roadside, and visiting during the rice harvest season is absolutely stunning.

At the other end of the road is the Coastal Mountain Range, and the large mountain behind is Diamond Mountain. Personally, I can’t see the connection between this mountain and the name "Diamond," but it’s certain that this straight road is named after the mountain behind it: Diamond Mountain.

Unlike Brown Avenue, Diamond Avenue is a road completely untouched by commercialization. Here, there’s only the ocean, the blue sky, the mountains, and the straight road, which makes the awe-inspiring feeling of Diamond Avenue even more pronounced—a sense of tranquility, completely free from the noise of crowds.

Basically, the scenery along this road is quite beautiful, making it perfect for photography. Passing vehicles can even serve as photo subjects. The straight road is also great for jump shots, so you’ll see lots of people jumping around on Diamond Avenue.

I’ve traveled to Taitung quite a few times and visited many attractions, but it’s truly hard to find a place as serene as the atmosphere at Diamond Avenue. Calling Diamond Avenue a hidden gem isn’t quite right either—I think quite a few people know about it, and there are plenty of travel blogs online. But the number of people who actually visit is surprisingly low. If you’re visiting Taitung’s coastal area next time, consider spending a bit more time here at this road in Changbin, Taitung, and leave a beautiful photo on this avenue.

[Changbin, Taitung – Diamond Avenue]
Address: County Road 13, Changbin Township, Taitung County

Douglas Fang
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