Weekend Getaway to Taitung: Chase Hot Air Balloons and Visit the Most Beautiful Fengyuan Elementary School

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Special Feature

The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off on June 1st. Recently, visitors can head to Taitung to not only experience and watch hot air balloons take flight at Luye Plateau but also plan a fun two-day, one-night trip to enjoy a pleasant weekend.

The highlight of this two-day, one-night itinerary is participating in the hot air balloon events. On the first day, aside from arriving in Taitung, the main activities are centered around the downtown area to conserve energy for the next day. Among these,Makabaha Park(formerly known as Seaside Park, renamed on July 25, 2010), “Makabaha” means “hello” in the Amis language, an indigenous group. The “Makabaha Cultural Tourism Festival” is held here every year, and on regular days, the park’s sea view offers a relaxing atmosphere, making it a great first stop for a “Taitung trip.”Pipa LakeLocated within “Taitung Forest Park (Black Forest)” under the Zhonghua Bridge, Pipa Lake got its name because its overall shape resembles a pipa (a traditional Chinese instrument). It was formed when underground springs from the Beinan area emerged but were blocked by a sandbar at the outlet. The lake is often home to egrets and contains native freshwater fish, making it a precious wetland ecological area.

▲Pipa Lake is located within Taitung Forest Park, where the tranquil waters create a rare ecological wetland. (Photo / Courtesy of Taitung County Tourism Website)

Fengyuan Elementary SchoolKnown as “Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Elementary School,” it earned the title due to its Greek-style design, with white walls accented by blue trim. This elementary school has now become a popular tourist spot, often chosen by couples for wedding photos, and sees a steady stream of visitors on holidays.


▲ “Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Elementary School,” Fengyuan Elementary, with its Greek-style architecture, has long been a popular attraction. (Photo / Provided by netizen Chiu Yu-ching)

When hunger strikes at noon, try a bowl of“Beinan Pig’s Blood Soup”. With a 50-year history, Beinan Pig’s Blood Soup is located on Chuanguang Road. It started as a street cart business and has since expanded into a storefront. The soup, made from a proprietary bone broth recipe, has made the dish famous across the streets. After eating, visit the music- and art-filled“Iron Flower Village Music Community”. This “village” was created by Taitung locals who are passionate about music and art. Spend the afternoon here enjoying music and exploring the market.

 
▲ Left: “Iron Flower Village Music Community” was conceived by a group of music and art enthusiasts. Right: There’s also a “thrift market” to explore. (Photo / Courtesy of Iron Flower Village Music Community Facebook Page)

How can a two-day, one-night trip be complete without visiting a night market? Taitung Night Market is located in the city center and offers a wide variety of northern and southern Taiwanese street food. Opened three years ago, it serves both tourists and locals and is currently the largest night market in Taitung in the evening. For accommodation at night, consider staying at“Muquan Homestay”in downtown Taitung. It provides affordable and clean lodging in a cozy wooden setting that feels just like home. Its convenient location and transportation make it easy to rest after visiting the night market.


▲ “Muquan Homestay” is centrally located in the city, with convenient transportation and a warm, comfortable interior. (Photo / Courtesy of Muquan Homestay Website)  

The highlight of the second day in Taitung is“Luye Plateau”, which hosts the Hot Air Balloon Festival every summer. With its elevated position offering breathtaking views and surrounded by lush green mountains, standing atop the plateau is an incredibly refreshing experience. Originally a paragliding site, the plateau has recently become famous for its hot air balloons, attracting many visitors from afar.


▲ The famous hot air balloons at Luye Plateau include a “heart-shaped” one this year, drawing large crowds annually. (Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government)

While in the Luye area, also check out“Luye Sightseeing Tea Plantation”. Luye is Taitung’s most renowned tea-growing region, with a climate and soil perfectly suited for tea cultivation. The tea produced here is called “Fulu Tea,” a type of oolong tea. Covering 94 hectares, the Luye tea plantation is a vibrant expanse of green. The final stop is located in Longtian Village, Luye Township,"Longtian Elementary School", the only two remaining Japanese-style school buildings exude a strong nostalgic charm. Built in 1935 during the Japanese colonial period for Japanese students, the school was renovated in 1998 (the 87th year of the Republic of China), giving off an ancient atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.

[Attraction Information]
Makabai Park
Address: Datong Road, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Taitung Forest Park
Address: Intersection of Zhongshan Road and Special Road No. 2, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Fengyuan Elementary School
Address: No. 392, Section 4, Zhonghua Road, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Benan Pig Blood Soup
Address: No. 117, Chuanguang Road, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM

Tiehua Music Village
Address: No. 26, Lane 135, Xinxing Road, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Taitung Night Market
Address: Zhengqi Road, Taitung City, Taitung County
Opening Hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Muquan Homestay
Address: No. 137, Fujian Road, Taitung City
Phone: (089) 327-789, 0932664282

Luye Gaotai
Address: No. 84, Lane 42, Gaotai Road, Luye Township, Taitung County

Hot Air Balloon Experience
Experience Price: NT$500 per person.
Ticketing Time: Morning session at 5:00 AM, afternoon session at 3:00 PM
Experience Duration: 5 to 7 minutes, tickets available only on-site with queuing.
Experience available from the afternoon session on June 1 to the afternoon session on August 11.
Daily from 5:30 to 7:30 and 17:00 to 19:00 (subject to adjustment based on weather conditions)

Luye Sightseeing Tea Plantation
Address: No. 46, Gaotai Road, Luye Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Longtian Elementary School
Address: No. 236, Guangrong Road, Luye Township, Taitung County
Opening Hours: 24 hours