Five Must-Visit Healing Attractions in Hualien and Taitung for a Refreshing Midsummer Escape

By MOOK Scenic Spots, Reported by Christopher

The East Rift Valley boasts countless breathtaking landscapes, making it the perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle and relax both body and mind. Below are five carefully selected natural and cultural spots in Hualien and Taitung that heal the soul. Visitors planning a trip to eastern Taiwan in the future may use these as references and consider planning a journey through Hualien and Taitung.

1. Chihke Mountain
 
Chihke Mountain is a famous tourist destination known for its golden needle flower seas. The spectacular sight of blooming flowers attracts endless streams of visitors. During the flowering season from August to September each year, farmers are busy harvesting, sun-drying, and processing the flowers. In addition to the golden yellow blooms, visitors can also explore the renowned "Three Sights of Chihke," which include three black volcanic rocks nestled among the golden needle fields, the uniquely shaped Thousand-Ton Stone Turtle—a natural rock formation—and the over 40-year-old Wang Family Ancestral House.

2. Matang Marsh
 
The renowned Matang Marsh in the East Rift Valley is located at the foot of Maxi Mountain in Guangfu Township, Hualien County. It is a natural swamp wetland with continuously bubbling springs. Fed by underground springs and shaped by the varying depths of streams, this marsh nurtures a rich abundance of life. In summer, visitors can also admire blooming lotus flowers, making it an ideal spot for family outings and leisurely walks.

3. Moonlight. Sea Concert – East Coast Earth Art Festival
 
The third edition of the East Coast Earth Art Festival grandly opened in May. The “Moonlight. Sea Themed Concert,” unique to the East Coast’s moonlit seascape, uses natural landscapes as its stage backdrop. The dynamic display of natural phenomena such as moonrise, sunset, and the ebb and flow of tides subtly metaphorizes the leisure philosophy and aesthetic style of life on the East Coast that the Earth Art Festival aims to convey.

4. Bixilidan
 
Bixilidan is a simple Amis tribal village that blends traditional culture with innovative art. In addition to showcasing tribal handicrafts and local agricultural specialties, in July 2013, the “Jimmy Liao” brand held simultaneous themed exhibitions in Taitung City and the Bixilidan tribe. It also assisted the tribe in multifaceted development and transformation, including branding, environmental spaces, tour experiences, meals, merchandise, and artistic creations.