Must-Visit Refreshing Destinations in Midsummer: Top 5 Healing Spots in Hualien and Taitung

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Reported by Christopher

The East Rift Valley boasts countless breathtaking landscapes and is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle, allowing both body and mind to relax. Below are five carefully selected healing spots—both natural wonders and cultural attractions—in Hualien and Taitung. Visitors planning a trip to eastern Taiwan in the future may use this as a reference and consider embarking on a journey through Hualien and Taitung.

1. Chikishan
 
Chikishan is a famous tourist destination renowned for its golden lily fields. The spectacular sight of blooming flowers attracts a constant stream of visitors. During the flowering season from August to September, farmers are busy harvesting, sun-drying, and curing the blossoms. Aside from the golden-yellow lilies, visitors can also explore the renowned “Three Scenic Spots of Chikishan,” which include three black volcanic rocks nestled among the lily fields, a uniquely shaped thousand-ton stone turtle as a natural landmark, and the over 40-year-old Wang Family Ancestral House.

2. Matang Wetlands
 
The most famous wetlands in the valley area, the Matang Wetlands are located at the foot of Maxisan Mountain in Guangfu Township, Hualien County. This natural swampy wetland is fed by springs that gush from underground, along with varying depths of streams, nurturing a rich diversity of life. In summer, you can even see 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 East Coast Earth Art Festival grandly opened in May. The “Moonlight. Sea Theme Concert,” featuring the unique moonlit seascape of the East Coast, uses natural landscapes as its stage backdrop. The dynamic display of natural phenomena such as moonrise, sunset, rising tides, and receding waves subtly metaphorizes the leisure philosophy and aesthetic style of life on the East Coast that the Earth Art Festival aims to convey.

4. Bixilidian
 
Bixilidian 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 Bixilidian tribe. It also assisted the tribe in transformation and diversified development in areas such as brand building, environmental spaces, tour experiences, meals, merchandise, and artistic creations.