Attractions
Jiqi Beach Recreation Area
Address: At the 38-km marker of Route 11 .Jiqi Beach is a rare sandy beach on the East Coast. Stretching 3 kilometers, the sandy beaches are very approachable. Unlike other beaches, Jiqi is located at the junction of the mountains and the sea, like a soft cloud on the steep coastline. People surfing and enjoying water activities always bring Jiqi Beach laughter and vitality. Visitors can soak in the seawater under the blue sky of the East Coast, feel the embrace of the Pacific Ocean, and watch the footprints on the beach being washed over by the tide. Everyone can experience this charming natural beach in their own way.
(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Dashibi Mountain
Address: At the 38.5K marker of Route 11 .Dashibi Mountain is located at the southern end of Jiqi Beach Recreation Area. It is a hill that protrudes from the coastline. As the landform is mostly huge rocks, the part protruding from the coast looks like a nose and the shape of the mountain also resembles the back of a turtle. Therefore, it is called "Dashibi" (big stone nose) Mountain or "Guian" (turtle hut) Mountain.
(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Yuedong Recreation Area
Address: At the 65-km marker of Route 11 .Yuedong is situated in Fengbin township in Hualien county, with Shitiping to the south and about 1 kilometer away from the Gangkou village. It is a natural stalactite cave, and in the eyes of the coastal indigenous tribes is a piece of natural land. In the cave, water has accumulated into a five-meter high lake, with the lake’s water level rising and falling in accordance with the waxing and waning of the moon. Therefore it became known as “Yuedong” (“Moon Cave”), known alternatively as “Yuejing” (“Moon Well”). It is said that within the lake there are many giant mottled eels, with one so-called millennium eel weighing more than 10 kilograms, as well as possessing an attacking nature, and therefore up to the present time still no man has dared dive into to the water to explore. Yuedong’s height is about 80 meters above sea-level, and is about 800 meters distance from the coast, with the cave’s entrance reaching to a height of about 25 meters. The cave’s entire length is about 176 meters. The cave’s carved shape is particularly uniquely: within the cave there is a left and a right cavern, the left side cavern mouth is comparatively wide at about 50 meters, and tapers as it reaches the top, at the summit providing habitat for hundreds of thousands of bats, adding a more mystical atmosphere. The right side cavern mouth is comparatively shorter at 40 meters. Within the cave it is mystical and dark, and the marks of stalactites can be found all over the rock walls, as well as a colony of bats above-head hanging down. There are also hidden streams, numerous droplets, stalagmites, swallow’s nest fossils, fish head fossils and other assorted sights. If you want to enter the cave to explore, it is necessary to ride in the boats of specialist navigators, and the illumination from the lighting upon the boats can give a rewarding tour. The temperature inside the cave is about 20 ℃. In winter warm and in summer cool, the cave is suitable for touring all year round.
(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Shihtiping Recreation Area
Address: At the 64-km marker of Route 11 .World-class outdoor geology classroom
Shitiping is located at the south end of Shiti Bay in Fengbin Township, Hualien County. The entire area is a huge, well-developed sea erosion terrace. The marine bench, raised coral reefs, sea ditches, and sea cliffs can be easily spotted, among which the pothole landscape is the best in Taiwan.
The coast of Shitiping is rich in coral reefs and tropical fish. The tide pools formed by the potholes in the intertidal zone are filled with various marine life such as seaweed, fish, shrimps, and shellfish, making Shitiping the perfect place for observing intertidal zone ecology, diving, and rock fishing.(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Visitors can follow the circular trail or climb up the 17-meter-high cuesta. You can enjoy the geological landscape of Shitiping as well as the magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.Shimen Recreation Area-The well-known March Cave
Address: At the 60-km marker of Route 11 .Shimen Recreation Area is located 4 to 5 kilometers north of Shiti Fishing Port. Its name ("Rock gate") originated from the huge sea caves in the coastal reef area that are shaped like gates. The Hollywood film, Silence (2016), was shot here, making Shimen landscape known to the world.
Following along Provincial Highway 11 to Shimen Recreation Area, you will first find JOKI Café. This is an art space established by East Coast artist Gan Xinyi in 1996, where visitors can enjoy the art and dine. Next to the art space you can find parking space and trails built along the terrain. On the right, the trail leads to public toilets; the middle trail leads to the pavilion with sea view of the sea; and on the left the trail leads to the sea cave.
From Shimen Recreation Area to Shitiping and Gangkou Tribe, there is a reef coast stretching for several kilometers. The reef coast, which was originally a volcanic rock formation, has been eroded by waves for many years, developing a variety of geological wonders, such as sea caves, sea grooves, potholes, and sea terrace. The largest Shimen sea cave is 5 meters tall and 18 meters wide, with three openings. On top of one opening there is a giant large-leaved banyan tree. The sea-facing opening is called the "March Cave" as it looks like a March (a Nissan car model). Together with the sea groove facing the Pacific Ocean outside of the sea cave, this spot is now a must-see attraction for visitors.
When visiting Shimen Recreation Area, besides taking pictures at the March Cave and the beach, you can stand in the cave and listen carefully to the 3D sound effect of the whistling wind and pounding waves. In addition, carefully observe the vibrant coastal ecology here, especially the various seaweeds growing all over the reef coast, which is a paradise for fish and shrimp and a natural classroom for observing and learning about coastal creatures.(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Dawan Rest Area
Address: At the 58.8-km marker of Route 11 .The resting area in Fengbin Township on Provincial Highway No. 11 features natural scenery with an unobstructed view. If you get tired from driving, you may take a break to enjoy the natural sea breeze before going on your journey. Located at the 59-kilometer point on Provincial Highway No. 11, the Dawan Rest Area is quite eye-catching whenever you drive by and stop to enjoy the sea view. With the magnificent scenery of undulating landscape, the moderately sized Da Wan rest area is a transit point for a short break. There is a tiny observation deck to appreciate the boundless and unobstructed sea view.
(Hualien Tourism Website)
Xinshe Terrace Paddies
Address: At the 43.5-km marker of Route 11 .The famous “Sea Terrace” is Xinshe terrace, where you can appreciate the splendid scenery of the sea terrace in any season of the year, whether it is at the time of rice planting, before harvesting, or after the fallow season. The most impressive scenery is when the spikes of rice are swaying under the sunlight with the sea breeze. As you walk amongst the ridge of the rice fields, you can see the Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean from afar, as if you have blended in with the picture and been unwilling to leave. The Kavalan who had migrated south from Yilan settled in Fengbin Township, Hualien, and thus the village was named Xinshe, which means “the place where everything is nurtured” in Kavalan. The residents were accustomed to farming in Yilan and missed the taste of rice, so they transformed the hill terrain into distinctive terraces for rice-planting fields along the sea, and thus they were called sea-facing rice terraces. The Xinshehai Terrace is the largest sea-facing annual rice terrace in Taiwan. The terraces are located right in front of the Coastal Range, adjacent to the ocean. The rice terraces are arranged in the shape of a sawtooth heading toward the sea and horizon, and there is a wooden trek at one end of the rice terraces for strolling and enjoying the scenery.
(Hualien Tourism Website)
Baqi Gazebo-Embracing the Pacific Ocean Seascape
Address: At the 32-km marker of Route 11 .On the long Route 11, Baqi Observation Deck is said to be the most beautiful "turning point" of the road. When driving here from Hualien City, while going through the hairpin bends, you will notice the scenery changing suddenly from the verdant mountains on both sides to the vast Pacific Ocean, with Coastal Range towering majestically. Walking onto the observation deck and looking toward the east, the Pacific Ocean is so blue and healing, making people forget about all the trouble to go through to come here. Looking towards the south from the viewing platform, you will have a clear view of the top of Dashibi Hill on the south side of Jiqi Bay.
In addition to the observation deck, there is also a rest area here. There is a convenient small parking lot, clean toilets, and shops which provides a variety of hot and cold drinks, light meals, luwei (Taiwanese stew), and coffee. Sitting on the rustic wooden chair, in the cool sea breeze, would you like to take a nap here? Stretching toward the Pacific Ocean, you will be ready to set off again after the rest!
Below the observation deck, there is a plank trail about 100 meters long. At the end of the trail is a cool, shaded deck on the lawn. Visitors can take a break here, enjoy the coolness, and listen to the beautiful sounds of cicadas and birds.(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Changhong Bridge
Address: At the 68-km marker of Route 11 .The elegant arches of Changhong Bridge span across the banks of Xiuguluan River estuary, forming a beautiful rainbow where the mountains and the sea meet. It has become a famous photo spot and a landmark on the East Coast. It is also the final destination for rafting. Exhausted and content rafters dock their rafts here. Strolling along the trail by the river, you can see waterfowls foraging along the riverbed, bicycles coming and going, plants on both sides changing with the seasons. If you are tired, you could take a break at the nearby New Pacific No. 1 and have an afternoon tea and enjoy some relaxing time.
Xibulan Island at the estuary, also known as Shiqiuyu, is the sacred land of the coastal Amis people. It is also an island made of volcanic agglomerates. Due to the barrier of streams, it remained in a fairly primitive state. Feeding birds, migratory fishes, shrimps, and crabs all gather here, making it a good place for observing the ecology.(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Shiti Port
Address: At the 63-km marker of Route 11 .Shiti Port is located to the northwest of Shitiping. It is the birthplace of, and also the best place for, whale watching in Taiwan. Your chances of spotting whales and dolphins would be the highest in Taiwan. There are more than 16 species of whales and dolphins in the open sea, among them four species are the most common, including pantropical spotted dolphins with a pointy rostrum and white spots, Fraser's dolphins who travel in groups, spinner dolphins that are like ballet dancers in the sea, and Risso's dolphins with a bulbous head. The chances of seeing whales and dolphins in one sail can be as high as 95%. April is the season of flying fish in the Hualien-Taitung sea. At this time, when you sail out to watch whales and dolphins, another big reward is to see the flying fish being chased and hunted by dolphins. Shiti Port has access to rich fish sources. In the fish market, you can find all the fresh catches of marlins, mahi-mahi, flying fish, and bonito brought back by the fishing boats. The busier auction times are 7:30am and 4:00pm. Affordable and high-value restaurants in the port area provide tourists with a delicious feast!
(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Xibulan Island
Address: At the 68-km marker of Route 11 .Before the Xiuguluan River enters the sea, a small island stands at the wide estuary, dividing the stream into two, going into the Pacific Ocean each in the north and in the south. The small island is located in the center of the estuary, like a ball in the lion's mouth—and therefore the name Shiqiuyu ("Lion ball island") in Chinese and Xibulan Island in the Amis language. The small island is composed of volcanic clastic rocks of the Duluan formation. It covers an area of only 10.67 hectares and the highest point is 40 meters high. It is usually blocked by streams on all sides so few people visit the island. It is an excellent spot for bird watching and a rare, complete coastal thorn forest in Taiwan of great conservation value. Currently, Xibulan Island is a natural conservation zone where landing is prohibited.
(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
Tropic of Cancer Marker
Address: At the 69.5-km marker of Route 11 .There are three Tropic of Cancer markers in Taiwan, located in Shuishang in Chiayi, Wuhe Terrace in Hualien, and Fengbin Township. This Tropic of Cancer marker is located at the 70.5-km marker of Route 11. The white landmark sits within the beautiful scenery of the Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean, attracting tourists to make a stop here and take pictures. Do you know why there is a thin slit in the center of the Tropic of Cancer marker?
The Tropic of Cancer refers to 23.5°N latitude, which is the dividing line between tropical and temperate zones. The most obvious manifestation is that tropical fruits such as pineapples and custard apples mainly grow south of the Tropic of Cancer in Taiwan, while the main crops in the north are temperate crops such as tea and rice. At noon in the summer solstice, sunlight will shoot right into the slit of the Tropic of Cancer. In this very moment, visitors next to the tower can have the amazing experience of having no shadows under the sun! So, in addition to taking pictures here as a souvenir, read the signs with information to know more about the mystery of seasons!(East Coast National Scenic Area Headquarters website)
