Family Travel / Soar Above Taitung from High Above and Immerse in the Nature of the Longitudinal Valley

It’s recommended that families planning to take a tethered hot air balloon ride stay overnight at a nearby hotel or homestay the night before. If the weather is good, arrive around 5 a.m. to queue up for tickets. You can also watch the process of the balloons being inflated and enjoy the hot air balloon flight performances. After your ride, you can stroll through the special market set up at the event venue or rent a bicycle to explore the area. In the evening, you can return to the high platform, relax on the grass to watch the balloons inflate and take off, or try grass sledding, enjoy flight shows, shop at the market, and taste local delicacies. There are also grassland music concerts held from Thursday to Sunday. If your kids have trouble waking up early, you can opt for the afternoon session, though it tends to be more crowded. Ticket registration opens at 4 p.m., so make sure to arrive early.

The Green Tunnel near Luye Gaotai hosts a friendly market every weekend, selling locally grown pesticide-free produce and handmade cultural and creative products. A short detour will take you to a local summer retreat known as the “Jade Dragon Spring Trail.” Aside from the legendary magical spring, this lush trail features year-round bubbling streams and is home to creatures such as crabs, small fish, and butterflies. You can book through the local association to enjoy a natural cleanse in this beautiful setting after your high-altitude hot air balloon experience.