C O N V E N I E N T T R AV E L
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle website
Up the Lower East Coast From Taitung City to Sanxiantai by Tourist Shuttle Bus
Jialulan
Taitung County in eastern Taiwan is one of the most attractive areas for travelers visiting Taiwan. Sparsely populated, the county is strikingly scenic, with a colorful mix of towering north-south mountains, bucolic countryside, and a rugged Pacific Ocean coastline. The coastal highway (Prov. Hwy No. 11), which connects the cities of Taitung and Hualien, is a scenic route especially suited for relaxed road trips, the vast ocean in splendid view much of the time. If you don’t have your own means of transport, make use of the convenient hop-on/hop-off Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus service (www.taiwantrip.com.tw) by taking an East Coast Line bus, which takes you all the way north from Taitung City to a tourist-popular place named Sanxiantai (one-third of the way to Hualien City). Buses leave from the city-center Taitung Bus Station. Note that if you arrive in Taitung by train, you can instead board the bus at Taitung Railway Station; the station is a few kilometers to the northwest of the city center. Here are some of the numerous East Coast Line stops at which you’ll want to hop off: Xiaoyeliu The name Xiaoyeliu means “Little Yeliu,” referring to Yehliu Geopark, a major tourist draw on the North Coast known for intriguing rock formations sculpted by wind, rain, and wave. Xiaoyeliu has equally interesting natural stone sculpturing, and an informative visitor center. Jialulan This is a seaside park right beside the coastal highway that has a cluster of interesting large-sized installation artworks. The park presents you with excellent views along the coast, especially of the impressive coastal mountains to the north. Dulan In recent years the village of Dulan has become a popular getaway spot for expats living in Taiwan and for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the relaxed seaside vibe by the sea the Taitung coastal area is known for. The old Dulan Sugar Factory is today a hub for cultural-creative activities, especially on weekends.
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TRAVEL IN TAIWAN
Sanxiantai
Donghe
East Coast Line
The village of Donghe is known for an always busy highway-side restaurant selling steamed buns and for the scenic Mawuku River, crossed just north of the town. To get a closer look at the huge white boulders in the river here, walk across the old Donghe Bridge just to the west of the highway bridge.
Taitung Hotel Taitung Bus Station ( 臺東轉運站 ) For Teachers and Public Workers ( 公 教 會 館 ) Zhongxing Chuanguang Gengsheng ( 傳廣更生 ) Taitung Sugar Factory Chuanguang ( 中 興 傳 廣 ) Formosan Naruwan Hotel & Resort ( 台東糖廠 ) Taitung Railway Station ( 臺鐵臺 ( 娜路彎大酒店 ) Forest Park ( 森林公園 ) Fugang Bridge 東站 ) Fugang Fishing Harbor ( 富岡港口 ) ( 富岡橋 ) Jialulan Xiaoyeliu Scenic Area ( 小 野 柳 風 景 區 ) Shanyuan ( 杉 原 ) Fushan Fishery ( 加路蘭 ) Water Running Upward Reserve ( 富 山 保 育 區 ) Dulan Sugar Factory ( 都蘭糖廠 ) ( 水往上流 ) Donghe Steamed Buns ( 東河包子 ) Jinzun ( 金樽 ) Donghe Bridge ( 東 河 橋 ) Amis Folk Center Aquarium of Anemonefish ( 小 ( 阿美民俗中心 ) Chenggong ( 成功 ) Sanxiantai 丑魚主題館 ) Recreation Area ( 三仙台遊憩區 )
Sanxiantai This is a small island connected to the coast by the long Sanxiantai Arch Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the East Coast. The bridge is especially photogenic at sunrise. (For more info about this part of Taiwan, visit the East Coast National Scenic Area website at www. eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw.)
Xiaoyeliu
Fare: The fare is calculated according to distance (NT$192 for the full East Coast Line one way).
Departures: There are five services a day on weekdays. Buses leave Taitung Bus Station at 7:20am, 9:40am, 11:10am, 1pm, and 2:20pm; buses leave Sanxiantai at 9:40am, 12noon, 1:20pm, 3:20pm, and 4:40pm. On weekdays and holidays there is one additional service (Taitung Bus Station 3:30pm; Sanxiantai 5:40pm). The journey from Taitung Bus Station to Sanxiantai takes about 1hr 45min.