Tongcheng Huali × Taitung Tribal Food and Fashion | Mountain and Sea Tribe Travelogue
Connecting five major routes—mountain route, sea route, outlying islands, the Southern Crossing of the Taiwan Strait, and urban area—and combining three themes—limited-time festivals, popular destinations, and timeless classics—this tour invites you to explore local culinary brands, savor local flavors, experience cultural crafts, and discover hidden gems of the mountains and sea. Ten carefully selected itineraries offer a comprehensive journey encompassing food, culture, sustainability, and exploration.
Itinerary information
Taiwan Tours
Featured Itinerary
Theme Features:Explore secret hideouts in villages, fields, and by the sea along the Southern Cross-Island Highway.
Day 1
Kaohsiung City / Taitung County
9:30 Meet at Zuoying, Kaohsiung / Dawu Heart South Crossing Station / Lunch - Alangyi Tribal Kitchen / Jinlun Beach Stone Stacking Fun / Lika Cafe / Duoliang Station / Dinner - Fuse Experimental Kitchen / Check into Hotel
Day 2
Taitung County - Taipei City / Kaohsiung City
Hotel Departure / Zhiben National Forest Recreation Area / Lunch - Bulami Farm Experience and Dinner / Zhiben Railway Station / Return Home
Great Martial Heart South Return Station
The Dawu Heart South Crossing Highway Rest Stop is the largest and most distinctive rest stop on the Southern Crossing Highway in Taitung County, becoming a new tourist landmark with its lighthouse-shaped architecture and magnificent mountain and sea views. Spanning approximately 560 square meters, the rest stop features a spacious parking lot that can accommodate over a hundred vehicles, comparable in size to a highway service area. The rest stop is well-planned, including a shopping street, dining area, and cultural exhibition space, and features local delicacies such as aboriginal A-pai (a type of steamed bun), famous Taitung buns, and dishes made with natural and organic ingredients. An open-air observation deck on the second floor offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Dawu Mountain, making it a popular spot for travelers to take photos.
Lunch - Alangyi Tribal Kitchen
A few years ago, Nantian was listed as a potential nuclear waste storage site. The public attention and discussion brought together people from different fields who wanted to protect the land and do more. "The initial idea for running the tribal kitchen was actually because we wanted to protect the environment." Recalling the process of its establishment, Luo Beiwen and her husband were also young people who returned to their hometown and actively participated in related discussions and actions. "When discussing things, we always wanted to feed everyone!" So what started as a kitchen for cooking for friends has now become Alangyi Tribal Kitchen.
Lika. Coffee
Continuously seeking more connections and collaborations with the local community, in addition to providing ingredients through partnerships with tribal farmers, the tables and chairs in the store are handcrafted by young people from the Xiangyang Xinchuan Woodworking Workshop in the nearby Duolianglong Tribe. The store also has several shelves where various products from the tribe, grown, produced, and manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner, can be consigned at Lika without taking a cut. This allows visitors to enjoy scallion and sea salt croissants, millet or red quinoa bagels, and Maqao coffee, while also learning about different aspects of the local landscape through these products.
Duoliang Station
Duoliang Station, located in Taimali Township, Taitung County, is hailed as "Taiwan's most beautiful train station," boasting a magnificent view where mountains meet the sea. Originally a stop on the South Link Line, it ceased operation in 2006 due to infrequent service. However, its unique elevated design and ocean-facing platform offer visitors panoramic views of the azure Pacific Ocean, making it a must-visit destination for railway enthusiasts and travelers. Standing on the observation deck, one can not only admire the trains rushing by but also experience the breathtaking beauty of mountains and sea merging together.
Dinner - Fusai Experimental Kitchen
Enjoy a meal surrounded by mountains, sea, and blue skies with no menu, and experience the seasonal cuisine of Shishi.
—
Bulai
Paiwan language meaning: good days
Walking through the village, a greeting arrives: "Bulai sun, how are you?"
It's a greeting, and it's also a daily routine.
In the Paiwan language, Bulai means good, wonderful, or a good gathering.
Zhiben National Forest Recreation Area
Zhiben National Forest Recreation Area is located in Beinan Township, Taitung County. It is a subtropical monsoon forest covering an area of approximately 110 hectares, with an altitude ranging from 110 to 650 meters. It boasts rich ecological resources and diverse recreational facilities. The climate here is warm and humid throughout the year, and the forest is home to a variety of birds, insects, and plants, making it a natural ecological classroom.
Image credit: Bernard Gagnon – his own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.
php?curid=17574235
Lunch - Brami Farm Experience and Dinner
Before the opening of the Brahmi Lasang Inn in 2016, Chih-ming Kama and Hsiu-chun Ina spent a lot of time exploring and taking classes, hoping to be fully prepared from the start. Their goal was to create a diversified business, combining different workshops, homestays, hostels, production lines from the production and marketing group, and tour guides trained by the township office to create employment opportunities for the tribe. "Going out to see and learn often gives you a concept," Chih-ming Kama said. They learned to apply for different projects on their own. In addition to organically certified crops such as turmeric, tree beans, millet, red quinoa, and red rice, the two also obtained a Class C horticultural license to ensure that the food served is all locally sourced, not the stereotypical rich and heavy meat dishes, but rather seasonal ingredients cooked to their natural flavor.
Theme Features:Experience the natural beauty of mountains and sea through hands-on woodworking.
Day 1
Taipei City / Kaohsiung City / Taitung County
9:30 Meet at Zuoying, Kaohsiung and depart / Ocean University and Mountain Elementary School / Lunch - Alangyi Tribal Kitchen / Dinner - Bulami Farm Experience and Dinner / Check into Hotel
Day 2
Taitung County / Kaohsiung City
Hotel Departure / Millennium Dawn Memorial Park / Tai Ma Li Level Crossing / Lunch: Ganu Canteen / Dawu Mountain Ecological Education Center / Shao Ni Yao Handmade Baking / Dinner - Vuvu Wild Vegetable Farm / Return Home
Haida Mountain Small
Take a ride in a vintage-style boat propelled by a boatman, and drift downstream along the Arakawa River that flows through Nagatoro. The boatman uses only a pole to steer the boat across the stream, enjoying the valley scenery with its strange rocks and boulders along the way. The natural monument "Iwa-tatami" (rock stacks) along the riverbank stretches for five kilometers, and there is also a cliff known as "Chichibu Red Cliff." The boat seems to be flowing with the water through the crevices between the giant rocks.
Lunch - Alangyi Tribal Kitchen
A few years ago, Nantian was listed as a potential nuclear waste storage site. The public attention and discussion brought together people from different fields who wanted to protect the land and do more. "The initial idea for running the tribal kitchen was actually because we wanted to protect the environment." Recalling the process of its establishment, Luo Beiwen and her husband were also young people who returned to their hometown and actively participated in related discussions and actions. "When discussing things, we always wanted to feed everyone!" So what started as a kitchen for cooking for friends has now become Alangyi Tribal Kitchen.
Dinner - Brami Farm Experience and Enjoy Dinner
In addition to organically certified crops such as turmeric, tree beans, millet, red quinoa, and red rice, Chih-ming Kama and Hsiu-chun Ia have also obtained a Class C horticultural license to ensure that everything served comes from the local area, not the stereotypical rich and heavy meat dishes, but rather seasonal ingredients cooked to their original flavor.
Dawushan Ecological Education Center
The Dawushan Ecological Education Center aims to deepen the public's understanding of the significance and function of government-established nature reserves, and to help them appreciate the precious resources of the Dawushan Nature Reserve through exhibitions, guided tours, and multimedia interactions. The center has four floors. The first floor houses an indigenous artifacts exhibition room and a multimedia screening room, showcasing local culture. The second floor contains an ecological exhibition room and a reading room, displaying plant and animal specimens and interactive games, making it suitable for family visits. The center serves not only as a base for environmental education but also as an important window for promoting nature conservation. An outdoor hot spring foot bath area allows visitors to enjoy relaxation while learning.
Shao Ni Yao Handmade Baking
Ingredients are the soul of bread, and Shao Ni Yao Wengfule explores the possibilities of incorporating various ingredients into baking, which is what makes Shao Ni Yao's bread taste unique. Their signature dish is a wild onion bread bigger than a face, and the pipe bean lemon tart is also a popular dessert. Regarding ingredients, Shao Ni Yao Wengfule strives for zero waste, ensuring nothing is left over. In today's pipe bean lemon bread, she mixes pipe bean flour into the dough, adds dried fruit made from lemon zest, and uses the lemon juice to make lemon custard. Through these diverse variations, she not only provides consumers with multiple choices but also allows them to fully utilize the ingredients, demonstrating the utmost respect for the land.
Dinner - Vuvu Vegetable Farm
The hostess, Ms. Jingjing, told us that in order to supply the freshest ingredients, they actually cultivate a large area of vegetable gardens in the Senyong tribe and along the Southern Cross-Island Highway. Guests can enjoy a variety of different vegetables here. She emphasized that each vegetable has a different flavor, and she suggested that guests cook one vegetable at a time and savor its unique characteristics. On the tip of your tongue, you will feel that some vegetables are sweet, some have a sour taste, and some, although bitter, can bring a pleasant aftertaste. Awaken the original flavor in Vuvu's kitchen. If you love vegetarian hot pot, you can't miss it.
Theme Features:Combine farming experiences with low-carbon concepts to enjoy nature and local flavors.
Day 1
Taitung County
11:00 Taitung Railway Station / Lunch - Baoma Canteen / Chishang Barn Art Museum / Brown Avenue / Dinner - Bayang Amis Cuisine / Check into Hotel
Day 2
Taitung County
Hotel Departure / Gaiana Workshop (Bunun Millet Swing Table) / Taitung Native Plant Garden / Taitung Railway Station / Return Home
Chishang Barn Art Museum
Originally a grain warehouse for the Jianxing Rice Mill established in 1959, the building was renovated and opened to the public by the Taiwan Good Foundation in 2017. The exterior, originally a Japanese-style grain warehouse, is now presented as a bright and open space. The museum regularly hosts multimedia and graphic art exhibitions, invites domestic and international artists to create works in residencies, and holds lectures and workshops, allowing art and local culture to blend together. In 2019, it won the Far Eastern Architecture Award's "Special Award for Old Building Renovation," becoming a new cultural landmark in Chishang. The art museum is not only an exhibition space but also an important base for preserving local memories and promoting environmental aesthetics.
Brown Avenue
Brown Avenue is the most representative scenic spot in Chishang, Taitung. It is famous for its straight, pole-free rural road and the Takeshi Kaneshiro tree, and is known as the "Road to Paradise".
The road is flanked by vast rice paddies that display different appearances with the seasons: lush green in spring and summer, and golden yellow in autumn and winter. It gained international fame as a popular spot for taking photos after being featured in Mr. Brown Coffee and EVA Air advertisements.
Bayang Amis Cuisine
The Amis tribe's "ina" (a general term for elderly women) harvests freshly every day, drizzles it with mustard salad dressing, and sprinkles it with a generous amount of crushed peanuts, adding a touch of spiciness, crispness, and sweetness to the slippery texture of the "guo mao." In the past, when the Amis people were working in the fields or hunting in the mountains, they would carry pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and taro in bamboo baskets, blanch them in chunks, and then flavor them with chopped salted duck eggs and nuts, enjoying the nutrition bit by bit. Originally, because they had too much fermented rice wine and didn't want to waste it, they wondered how to preserve it or change the flavor, so they treated it with Japanese-style salt, stir-fried it with vegetables from their own garden, and created a seemingly simple yet uniquely flavorful dish.
Gaiana Workshop (Burun Millet Swing Dining Table)
Located in Kanting Village not far from Guanshan Railway Station, "Kaiana Workshop" is nestled beside a winding mountain path, a living space centered on Bunun culture. Strings of dried millet hang at the entrance, while golden millet rice is cooking in a large stove. This seemingly simple pot of millet rice needs to be stirred and pounded five times in the stove, allowing the crispy rice crust and aroma to slowly build up, making it a precious and hard-won flavor.
Kaiana is dedicated to preserving the millet culture of the Bunun people. Although millet cultivation had almost disappeared in the past due to population aging and land constraints, through years of hard work, Kaiana's millet fields have expanded from two fen (a unit of land area) to two hectares (a unit of land area), and the harvest has increased from once a year to twice a year. This not only continues the tradition but also creates local job opportunities.
Taitung Native Plant Garden
The park covers a vast area and cultivates over two hundred species of precious medicinal plants, most of which are native to Taitung. It is divided into six themed areas based on their characteristics, including an aromatic plant area, a herbal tea plant area, and a health-promoting herb area, allowing visitors to learn about the diverse applications of herbs in a natural environment. In addition to plant displays, the park features a family-friendly ranch and a skywalk, offering close encounters with animals and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Theme Features: Combining indigenous culture with hot spring wellness, enjoy nature and tribal flavors.
Day 1
Hualien County / Taitung County
11:30 Hualien Yuli Station / Lunch - Three Men / Half-day tour of Changguang Tribe / Dulan Cultural and Creative Park / Dinner - Yunzhan Music Restaurant / Check into Hotel
Day 2
Taitung County
Hotel Departure / Fuding Day Trip / Dirty Kids Studio / Taitung Railway Station / Return Home
Lunch - Three Men
By Xiaoyan,LeoandSawayThe three men who make up the group are a group in the Changbin area who are dedicated to preserving the life memories and cultural experiences of the Amis people and offering traditional cuisine. They offer indigenous-style meals without a menu, mountain and sea experiences, and tribal tours, making them a trendy restaurant that you can't miss when traveling to the east coast.
Half-day tour of Changguang Tribe
Changguang Village, formerly known as "Ciwkangan," is nestled between mountains and the sea, boasting a history of over a century. The village's inhabitants are predominantly Amis, and they still preserve traditional festivals and customs, showcasing a rich indigenous culture. Entering the village along Provincial Highway 13, you'll see the straight Jin Gang Avenue, with rice paddies on both sides changing color with the seasons—lush green in spring and summer, golden in autumn and winter—a scene comparable to Brown Avenue in Chishang. To the west lies Jin Gang Mountain, named for its resemblance to a gorilla, and considered the village's guardian deity.
Dulan Cultural and Creative Park
Originally the Dulan Sugar Factory built during the Japanese occupation, the park was idle for many years after ceasing production. In recent years, it has been revitalized by artists and local residents, becoming a base for exhibitions, workshops, and markets. The park retains red brick buildings and old chimneys, full of industrial heritage atmosphere, and introduces cafes, handicraft workshops, and exhibition spaces. It regularly hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural and creative markets, showcasing Taitung's diverse cultural energy.
Dinner - Yunzhan Music Restaurant
Yunzhan Tribal Music Restaurant, located in Taitung City, focuses on indigenous cuisine, using local ingredients to serve delicious dishes such as Maqao salted pork and basil snails. The chef regularly innovates with ingredients, such as the "Imperial Concubine Lychee"—based on lychee shrimp balls, infused with the indigenous flavor of Maqao. The freshness of the shrimp contrasts with the aroma of Maqao, creating a surprising yet harmonious flavor combination. The chef emphasizes that it must be enjoyed with the powder, especially the homemade Maqao pepper powder and locally produced honey, for a unique and delightful taste experience.
Floating Day Trip
Mountain trekking or boating trips are very popular, and travelers who have been engaged in such physically demanding activities have expressed their desire for a comfortable place to eat, relax, and unwind. This led to the creation of Floating Cafe. "Floating" comes from the Amis word for fish, "fudin" (or "futing"). The space, built on a green lawn with white shipping containers and wooden floors, is not just a coffee shop, but a multi-functional business offering dining, drinks, entertainment, and learning.
Dirty Kids Studio
Located in Longchang, Donghe, "Dirty Kids Studio" upholds the concept of being friendly to the ocean and sustainable to the land. It collaborates with local farmers in baking and cooking, using local ingredients, while promoting green and environmentally friendly packaging materials to reduce single-use waste. It hopes that visitors can enjoy delicious food while taking on environmental responsibility.
Theme Features:Classic attractions combined with indigenous culture, enjoy local tribal cuisine.
Day 1
Taitung County
10:00 Taitung Railway Station / National Museum of Prehistory / Lunch - Liangyaojiu Scenic Container Restaurant / Taitung Forest Park (cycling) / Dinner - Yunzhan Music Restaurant
National Museum of Prehistory, Taiwan
The museum grounds are vast, with architectural designs that blend modern aesthetics with prehistoric imagery, and feature unique landscapes such as outdoor lawns and Moai statues. The permanent exhibition is divided into three main halls: the "Taiwan Prehistoric History Hall" showcases archaeological findings from the past century, guiding visitors to explore prehistoric human life; the "Australasia Hall" presents oceanic culture from the perspective of Austronesian peoples, connecting global cultural interactions; and the "Taiwan Natural History Hall" introduces the island's geological evolution and ecological environment.
Lunch - Liangyaojiu View Container Restaurant
Liangyaojiu Scenic Container Terminal opened on February 19, 2018, named after the owner's birthday. The initial intention was to create a dream base for him and his mother after years of wandering and working away from home. How long has it been since you went home? How long has it been since you sat under a starry sky, having tea and reminiscing with your beloved family and friends? Liangyaojiu is not just a place of dreams, but also a reminder for those far from home to stay true to themselves, to look at the most beautiful night view of Taitung, and to remember their longing for home.
Taitung Forest Park (by bicycle)
The area was named "Black Forest" because of the extensive early planting of casuarina trees for windbreak, resulting in a dark and shady forest landscape. The park features three distinctive lakes: Biwa Lake, with its clear waters and a lakeside walking path; Heron Lake, a birdwatching paradise where egrets and black-crowned night herons are commonly seen; and Huoshui Lake, designed for water activities and most popular in summer. Visitors can also cycle along the tree-lined bike paths.
Dinner - Yunzhan Music Restaurant
Yunzhan Tribal Music Restaurant, located in Taitung City, focuses on indigenous cuisine, using local ingredients to serve delicious dishes such as Maqao salted pork and basil snails. The chef regularly innovates with ingredients, such as the "Imperial Concubine Lychee"—based on lychee shrimp balls, infused with the indigenous flavor of Maqao. The freshness of the shrimp contrasts with the aroma of Maqao, creating a surprising yet harmonious flavor combination. The chef emphasizes that it must be enjoyed with the powder, especially the homemade Maqao pepper powder and locally produced honey, for a unique and delightful taste experience.
Remark
Travel tips
1. Please confirm the meeting point and time before departure to avoid delaying your trip.
2. The itinerary involves a lot of outdoor activities, so we recommend wearing light clothing and preparing sun protection products.
3. If you are going to be active in mountainous or coastal areas, remember to bring rain gear and comfortable shoes.
4. Meals will mainly consist of tribal cuisine. Please inform us in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
5. When participating in tribal cultural experiences, please obtain consent before taking photos and respect local customs.
6. The itinerary emphasizes sustainability and low carbon emissions; please bring your own reusable tableware and water bottle.
7. Guests at hot spring hotels should bring their own swimsuits and swim caps for convenient use of the facilities.
8. Hands-on experiences such as woodworking and farming may stain your clothes, so it is recommended to bring a change of clothes.
9. For popular attractions such as Brown Avenue and King Kong Avenue, it is recommended to bring a power bank for taking photos.
10. Holidays often involve large crowds, so it is advisable to plan your transportation and spending in advance and prepare cash.
11. Most itineraries are two days and one night or one day trips, so please bring your personal toiletries and basic medications.
12. The area is a mix of mountains and sea, and the weather changes rapidly. It is recommended to carry rain gear and mosquito repellent.
13. Activities include farming, woodworking, snorkeling, etc. Please prepare appropriate shoes and clothing according to the itinerary.
14. When participating in snorkeling or water activities, be sure to follow safety regulations and instructions from your instructor.
15. Due to the large crowds during the festival, please keep an eye on your belongings and be patient.
16. Tribal cuisine is mostly local specialties; please respect the ingredients and culture and cherish the food.
17. Many hotels have hot spring facilities, so remember to bring your own swimsuit and swim cap for use.
18. There are many photo spots along the way, so it is recommended to bring a power bank in case your phone runs out of power.
19. When participating in tribal cultural activities, please be polite and follow the instructions of the guides.
20. Please keep the environment clean, take your trash with you, and work together to protect the tribe and the natural ecosystem.
Sign up
Tongcheng Huali × Taitung Tribal Food and Fashion | Mountain and Sea Tribe Travelogue
[Travel itinerary registration]
Please fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible