A Visit to Taitung’s Coastal Towns – Fun Day Trips Along the Pacific

The most peaceful place in the world is the Pacific Ocean at sunrise. Welcome in a new day and enjoy Taitung’s serene beauty as you glide over the ocean on a stand-up paddleboard. You might have seen the acronym SUP before. It actually stands for “Stand-Up Paddleboarding.” Can’t surf? No problem. People who’ve never touched a surfboard pick up riding an SUP in no time. Everyone is welcome to sign up for this sunrise outing which usually starts at 4 in the morning. Before you head out into the ocean, an instructor will teach you the basics of how to paddle, turn and balance.

The best place to watch the sunrise on a crisp and clear morning is from an SUP. Just as the sun peaks up above the horizon, the sky above you turns into a brilliant symphony of color. Enjoy the silence at sea that is free from the clamor of everyday life. Close your eyes and feel deep inner peace as a refreshing sea breeze caresses your face. Take a moment to lay on your board and feel the waves roll by. At some points, it even seems like your heartbeat is moving in unison with the rhythm of the ocean. When you get a chance, look back at the tranquil coastline and the misty peaks of Mt. Dulan. We’re sure you’ll agree this is truly the best spot to take in the scenic beauty of the east coast.

Duli Beach is beautiful and serene, but at the same time, mysterious and dreamy. When you visit, you’ll see that Duli Beach is a vast expanse of black sand along the coast. The iron-rich sand here is relatively firm and doesn’t get washed away with the tide. The sand here has formed a supple and firm stretch of coastline, which traps seawater above the beach at low tide. Therefore, when the sun is shining down on Duli Beach, the thin sheet of water above the sand turns into a smooth reflective surface. The sheet of water captures the azure-blue sky above. As you look along the beach, you’ll think the ocean and the heavens above are merging together. Thus, Duli Beach is also known as “Sky Mirror,” or “Mirror Coast.”

The “mirror” creates a parallel universe on the horizon. If you flip a picture of Duli Beach over, you’ll doubt whether you’re looking at something that is here on Planet Earth. It’s as if you’re caught in some alternate reality, which is sending out a beautifully poetic message to humanity. Couples take romantic pictures here facing the ocean. Groups of friends stage a fun shot where they jump right as their picture is being taken. The “Sky Mirror” also reflects good vibes, and makes things seem twice as fun. Remember to enjoy the stunning coastline after you take your picture. Sit down and listen to the surf, splash in the waves, make a sandcastle or even give surfing a go. If you’re interested, make an appointment with one of the local surf shops before you head to the beach.

Not far from Sanxiantai, sits a tranquil seaside village. This hidden Amis town is called Pisirian. Pisirian in the Amis language means “Grazing Pasture.” In the past, the Amis raised sheep on the small offshore islands across from Sanxiantai. You won’t find sheep here anymore because the Amis stopped rearing lifestock here long ago. However, visitors can take pictures with the driftwood sheep instillations found on the boardwalk next to the beach. Artist Rahic Talif and young people from Pisirian made these colorful sheep. Each one of the sheep are painted in their own special color, and have come to symbolize the spirit of life in the village. Looking at these sheep from afar as they blend into the ocean below and the sky above is incredibly spellbinding.

Stick around after you take some pictures of the sheep. There’s still mystery here waiting for you to explore. In 2013, the people of Pisirian and Jimmy Liao, a famous Taiwanese cartoonist, teamed up to make every nook and cranny of the village beautiful and inspiring. Together, they painted murals of 11 images from Liao’s book “One More Day With You” in different parts of the village. You can also let the locals show you around on a guided tour of the village. They’ll take you down all the peaceful side streets so you can feel what daily life is like in a quaint fishing village. You’ll also learn how to make “Toron,” traditional Amis mochi, and get a chance to try some sweet and refreshing rice wine!

If you think sheep are too cute to handle, then you’ve got to sign up for our “Paint Your Own Sheep” workshop. During the workshop, you’ll learn how to make your own sheep out of driftwood. Then, you can give your sheep some personality by making it your favorite color and painting it any way you want. It’s a great chance to make your own special souvenir to bring back home with you.

Speaking of art, checking out a show from Pisirian’s “PawPaw Drummers Club” is a must. In the Amis’s language, “PawPaw” means “buoy.” Artist-in-residence, Talaluki, brought together unique Amis symbols and decorations to create “PawPaw” instruments that are just like African drums. He made his drums out of bamboo poles, sheep skin and discarded buoys that were used to keep fishing nets afloat. Talaluki created the “PawPaw Drummers Club” with Chen Chunmei, Chairman of the Sanxian Community Development Association, to look after kids whose parents had moved outside of the village for work. The “PawPaw Drummers Club” brings the young people of Pirisan, aged 10-17, together to create their own takes on traditional indigenous songs. This energetic performance of drumming and singing in Amis authentically showcases Pisirian’s traditional culture. In addition to watching the show, visitors also get a chance to play some “PawPaw” drums with the help of the performers. This is a trip that will surely get you in touch with the warmth here at Pisirian.

The Amis see mother nature as the source of all life, or in other words, their kitchen fridge. Pisirian is nestled between the mountains and the sea. The cuisine of Pisirian is always changing because the people here use the freshest seasonal produce in their cooking. Therefore, it seems like every Amis is a natural born chef. From a young age, people are taught how to procure their own food. They learn how to catch fish in the ocean and go into the mountains to pick vegetables or grow their own at home. Each person here has their own recipes with their own stories. Therefore, you won’t need a menu when you dine in Pisirian. All you need when trying Pisirian’s surf and turf is an open mind and an adventurous spirit.

The people of Falehay never, ever take orders from their guests, but don’t take it personally. This restaurant doesn’t have a menu, so what you see is what you get. Even though you’ll never see a menu here, you will definitely see tables covered in all kinds of mouth-watering dishes. The presentation of a colorful Falehay meal, which includes a delicious drink, appetizer, main course, dessert and fruit is unique and exciting. If you’re here for flying fish season, you’ll get to try a one-of-a-kind seafood meal. Falehay is probably the only indigenous restaurant with a front row seat of the Pacific Ocean. The décor features traditional indigenous color and tribal artwork. Guests can also see an endless expanse of ocean blue from the restaurant’s windows. Kick back and feel the ocean breeze as you enjoy some delectable cuisine.

If you love seafood, then you’ll love Chenggong. The Kuroshio Current runs along the east coast and brings the freshest and biggest fish towards the Chenggong Fishing Harbor. Meet Marlin, a small and elegant seafood restaurant located close to the Chenggong Fishing Harbor, doesn’t look like your average seafood joint. Many Taiwanese celebrities have graced this authentic local eatery. Terry Gou, CEO of Foxconn, Ang Lee, Director of Life of Pi and Yilan, a well-known travel and food writer, have all stopped by for a meal. Meet Marlin is a must when you visit Chenggong Township.

Meet Marlin’s owner, Lin Yubin, is living out his father’s legacy by bringing Chenggong’s costal lifestyle to the dinner table. Every day, Lin Yubin goes to local merchants and handpicks the freshest fish he can find. Lin Yubin wants guests at Meet Marlin to enjoy the finest seafood that Chenggong Fishing Harbor has to offer. You can also enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and the fishing port from the restaurant’s large windows. At Meet Marlin, you can dine and watch the fishing boats come and go. But more importantly, you get a chance to experience the laidback lifestyle of a Taiwanese fishing town.

Meet Marlin showcases a wide array of dishes cooked in a variety of delicious ways. A must-have appetizer is their refreshing and sweet chilled seaweed salad. Their dazzling assorted sashimi platter uses thick slices of fresh fish that’s made to order. The platter also comes with tantalizing freshly ground wasabi from Alishan. Meet Marlin also features a flavorful and crispy deep fried Mahi Mahi fillet as well as pork feet boiled with pieces of dried Mahi Mahi. This special stew is thick, sweet and goes well with rice. A meal at Meet Marlin is the perfect way to wrap up your eventful day along the coast.