Explore Hualien and Taitung's featured spots with all-inclusive food, drinks, fun, and activities — completely free of charge.

By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported

Want to explore Hualien and Taitung by bike at a leisurely pace? Now you have the chance to experience it for free. Just sign up for the “In-Depth Experience of Hualien and Taitung – Exploring the Pearl Hidden Gems” event, and you can visit 100 featured spots in the Huatung Valley area for free, enjoy scenic attractions such as Liyu Lake, Luoshan Eco-Station, and Luye Plateau, taste locally voted delicacies like Taitung’s Love 65°C Handmade Toast and Princess Coffee, plus take part in hands-on workshops at specialty studios. The entire one-day itinerary is completely free, with online registration only — each session is limited to 30 participants. The first two sessions are already full, and the session on November 26 and 27 will open for registration on November 19. Interested individuals should act fast to secure a spot.

This year, the Huatung Valley National Scenic Area Administration held the “Top 100 Pearls Voting Event,” selecting 100 featured spots in the Huatung Valley area across three major categories: “Gourmet Snacks,” “Lifestyle & Creative Arts,” and “Stylish Homestays.” The plan is to connect these locations via cycling routes to create new in-depth travel experiences. The Pearl Hidden Gems exploration event will consist of four one-day tour sessions on November 19, 20, 26, and 27, each with a limit of 30 participants. Currently, the sessions on November 19 and 20 are fully booked, and the second round of online registration will open on November 19. The event is entirely free and includes bicycles, professional guided tours, special lunches, DIY craft workshops, and shuttle bus transfers from the train station to the meeting point.

Additionally, visitors can download discount coupons from the event’s official website to enjoy special offers at designated shops. There is also a “Stamp Collection Adventure: Collect Pearls, Win Big Prizes” campaign. Just visit the participating Pearl-affiliated shops, collect stamps, and once you’ve gathered six stamps, you can enter a lucky draw to win a Giant bicycle worth NT$10,000.

 Event website: www.hahahe.com/pearl