The Dreamy "Paragliding" Venue at Luye Gaotai in Taitung – International Competition Kicks Off on August 12!

Reported and photographed by Reporter Li Ziyi / Taitung

Taitung County’s "Luye Gaotai" has become a popular attraction in recent years for its hot air balloon flight views, but it is also actually the largest all-around "paragliding" base in Taiwan. This year, it has for the first time secured the right to host the "2016 FAI Paragliding World Cup Taiwan Leg," where over 15 countries and regions from around the world will gather at Luye Gaotai for two consecutive days starting August 12 to compete for the top spot.

▲ The slope at Luye Gaotai in Taitung is a bit steep, making grass sledding quite thrilling; coaches also demonstrate paragliding here.

▲ Beside Luye Gaotai in Taitung are the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range. The area’s unique terrain and spectacular scenery make it an ideal paragliding venue.

▲ From August 12 to 14, paragliding athletes from various countries will gather here to compete, marking the first time Taiwan hosts an international paragliding competition.

Luye Gaotai is a highland on the northern side of Longtian in Luye Township, Taitung County, at an elevation of about 350 meters. Its vast grasslands and unique valley terrain are perfect for activities such as hot air ballooning, grass sledding, and paragliding.

With its stunning valley views, when paragliders glide off the platform, they look down upon lush green tea plantations, flanked by the magnificent landscapes of the Coastal and Central Mountain Ranges. Additionally, the nearby Longtian parachute landing zone is hailed as a "five-star" landing site and ranks among the top paragliding venues in Taiwan.

The 2016 FAI Paragliding World Cup Taiwan Leg consists of four competition stops, with Luye Gaotai in Taitung being one of them. The other three host countries are Montenegro, Albania, and Indonesia. The event in Luye Gaotai will take place from August 12 to August 14.

▲ Visitors can also try grass sledding at Luye Gaotai. The slightly steep slope adds a bit of thrill, and staff remind everyone to wear a helmet when participating.

During the competition period, the public can watch the games at the Longtian Landing Field. There will also be a funfair over the three-day event. Meanwhile, the grass sledding experience at Luye Gaotai remains open, allowing visitors to not only enjoy the thrilling competitions but also try out the speedy and exciting grass sledding themselves. At night, you can even lie on the grass to stargaze or watch meteor showers.

▲Paragliding at Luye Gaotai offers a bird’s-eye view of the chessboard-like landscape below, as well as sweeping views of the majestic Central and Coastal Mountain Ranges.

2016 FAI Paragliding World Cup Taiwan Leg
Date: August 12 to August 14
Location: Luye Gaotai, Taitung County

Grass Sledding Experience
Price: NT$100 per ride
Age: Available for those aged 6 and above