By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported
Want to take a slow bike ride through Hualien and Taitung? Now’s your chance to experience it for free. Just sign up for the “Deep Experience Hualien-Taitung – Discovering the Pearl Hidden Gems” event, and you can explore 100 featured spots in the Huatung Valley area for free, including famous sights like Liyu Lake, Luoshan Eco-Station, and Luye Plateau. You’ll also get to taste locally voted delicacies such as Taitung Ailian’s 65°C handmade toast and Princess Café, plus participate in hands-on workshops at specialty studios. The entire one-day trip is completely free, with online registration only—each session is limited to 30 participants. The first two sessions are already full, but the session on November 26–27 will open registration on November 19. Don’t miss out—sign up quickly if you’re interested.
The scenic Luye Plateau in Taitung is one of the featured stops on this tour. (Photo by Traveler’s Eye Li Xinyi)
This year, the Huatung Valley National Scenic Area Administration held the “Top 100 Pearls Voting Event,” selecting 100 unique spots in the Huatung Valley in three categories: “Delicious Food,” “Lifestyle & Fun,” and “Stylish Accommodations.” The plan is to connect these locations using bicycles as the main mode of transport and design new deep-travel routes. The Pearl Hidden Gems exploration event will consist of four one-day tours on November 19, 20, 26, and 27, each limited to 30 participants. Currently, the November 19 and 20 sessions are fully booked, and the next online registration opens on November 19. The full-day experience is free and includes bikes, professional guided tours, special lunches, DIY handicraft workshops, and shuttle bus transfers from the station to the meeting point.
Chinan Treehouse, voted as one of the Top 100 Pearls in the Huatung Valley, offers indigenous-style meals. (Image provided by Mook Editorial Department)
Additionally, visitors can download discount vouchers from the event’s official website to enjoy deals at participating stores. There’s also a “Stamp Collection Challenge: Collect Pearls, Win Big Prizes” campaign. Just visit special Pearl-participating shops, collect six stamps, and you’ll be entered to win a grand prize—a Giant bicycle worth NT$10,000.
Event website: www.hahahe.com/pearl