Fantastic sea views, like this one at Shihtiping, are common along Taiwan's East Coast National Scenic Area

We here at WoWasis feel this is one of the most remarkable drives in Taiwan. Beginning just 24 km south of Taroko Gorge National Park is the city of Hualien, the northern terminus of the 170 km long East Coast National Scenic Area, which reaches its southernmost point near the city of Taitung. Like the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area  120 km to the north, the East Coast National Scenic Area comprises spectacular ocean views and interesting things to see, with relatively little traffic. These two drives, combined with Hengchun Peninsula drive 100 km south of Taitung, comprise a spectacular trip that will allow you to see Taiwan’s most scenic coastal sights

Begin the East Coast National Scenic Area drive by stopping at the Hualien visitor Center, 10 km south of the city on Highway 11, where you can get a very good English-Chinese map. 4 km further south is the Henan Temple, where a statue of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, overlooks the sea. 14 km south, stop at the Fanshuliao Bridge at the 29.5 km sign. Walk across the highway to the old bridge. Walk on the old bridge, and you’ll get a nice view of a gorge that runs down to the ocean.

Shihtiping

South of Fanshuliao, you’ll pass some scenic views at the Baci Recreation area of the Jici seashore below you. 25 km south of Jici, you’ll need to stop at Joki (click on the link for full description and pictures), the coffee bar and studio of Kan Hsin-Yi, who makes and sells decorative sculptural items and furniture using local material, unlike anything you’ll see in Asia. at Shihtiping, where a wooden walkways takes you to some of the most spectacular moonscape-like sea rocks you’ll see in Taiwan. The turn off is at GPS: N23°29.452’  E121°30.524’.

Just south of Joki, you’ll cross the Changhong (Rainbow) Bridge, which spans the Xiuguluan (Siougulyuan) River, where we encourage you to take a rafting trip down the river to the sea from the nearby town of Rueisuei   Just after you cross the Rainbow Bridge heading south, you’ll see a tall obelisk, which marks the Tropic of Cancer.

10 km south of the Rainbow Bridge are the Basian Caves, with a small visitors’ area displaying Paleolithic items found in the caves, and the caves themselves, now filled with Buddha images, which we found far too commercial for our tastes.

Sanxiantai Bridge

One of the most scenic spots in eastern Taiwan is the beautiful footbridge at Sansiantai (Sanxiantai), 24 km south of the Basian Caves, just off Highway 11 (look for the signs). The bridge resembles a dragon’s back, and takes you to the Platform of the Three Immortals, s small island. You’ll walk over wonderful small smooth speckled stones (called Haulien stones) that are particular to the East Coast National Scenic Area.

24km south is the  East Coast National Scenic Area Visitor Center in Chenggong, with a view of Green Island, and close to the nearby Ami Folk Center, an aboriginal venue featuring Ami cultural exhibits. Further south is the Donghe Bridge. Turn just before the bridge at the 140 km sign to a parking lot, where you’ll see magnificent views of the Mawuku  river. There are wonderful sea views att the way to the end of the Scenic Area at the city of Taitung, home of the National Museum of Prehistory.    After Taitung, proceed south for 100 km to the spectacular Kending National Park on the Hengchun Peninsula.