Aromatic Taitung – Sites in Taitung that will heal and restore your soul
For those of us who are trapped in the concrete jungle, when was the last time you took a real deep breath? Take advantage of your vacation days and follow the nice aromas to Taitung. Take a stroll through the rice paddies, experience tea picking, aromatherapy, and try your hand at making your own unique fragrance. Let this fragrance become your sweet memory of Taitung. (Front Page Banner Photo Credit:IG@ceimei)
In the morning take a stroll through Chishang Rice Paddies and experience the scents of rice, then to Dachi Tofu Skin Shop to take in the smells of beans. Longtian Village will be the next destination with tea picking with smells of tea all around you.
In the afternoon head down to Fun Things How May Aroma House to experience its aromatherapy, then to Dulan Seascape Platform to take in the essence of the ocean, and finish your itinerary with the Small Village Far Far Away by creating your own personal aroma.
1st Stop The Scent of Rice Unique to Taitung: Chishang Rice Paddies
When one mentions the scents of Taitung, the image and scent of Taitung’s rice paddies will appear in most people’s minds. Whether it be riding through Mr. Brown Avenue in the early mornings, or sitting by the rice paddies and gazing into the endless wavy grains, the gentle rice fragrance has become a staple of Taitung. The gentle rhythm of the rice waves will brush away the stress and pressure in your life. Pick a sunny day and come visit Taitung’s rice fields. Allow the scent of the rice fields to relax your mind and body. (Photo Credit:Taitung County Government)
Address: Mr. Brown Avenue, Chishang Township, Taitung County
Suggested Duration: 1.5 hours
2nd Stop Traditional Scent of the Bean: Dachi Tofu Skin
The sweet aroma of beans drifts through the allies. Dachi Tofu Skin Shop, located in Chishang Dapu Village, draws visitors in with its sweet fragrance. The shop has been emitting the sweet smell of beans for over half a decade. The three generations of owners have committed to making tofu skin using traditional methods. They begin grinding the beans before daybreak, cooking the soy milk, then picking the tofu skins. The time-consuming process is what makes this unique tofu skin shop’s product so famously delicious.
The only items on sale here are pan-fried tofu skin, soy pudding, and soy milk. The tofu skin is pan-fried to a beautiful golden crisp, exploding with a fresh soybean scent with every bite. The soy pudding is even more delicate than panna cotta. The soy pudding melts in your mouth and leaves behind a sweet soy flavor. The freshly made soy milk is rich, having a surprisingly naturally sweet taste. The only thing you must pay attention to is all items sell out quickly, so visitors should be advised to come sooner rather than later! (Photo Credit:IG@hanajan915)
Address: No. 39-2 Chishang Township, Taitung County
Phone Number: 0952-011-556
Hours of Operation: 07:00–14:00 (weekdays); 07:00–14:00 (Sat and Sun) (Closed on Wednesdays)
Suggested Duration: 1 hour
Official Website
3rd Stop Jade Green Tea Village: Longtian Village
The sweet aftertaste and relaxing properties of tea always bring to mind the images of the beautiful tea fields. Those fields that come to mind are Taitung’s beautiful Tea Village, Longtien Village. The gentle breezes carry the sweet aroma of tea that will lighten your burdens and relax your mind. Longtien Village’s lovely mountains and streams offer the perfect environment to produce the highest quality tea leaves. Tea can be harvested all year round, making it one of Taiwan’s main tea producers.
Some tea gardens plant their tea organically. Amongst the teas, Black Oolong and Honey Black Tea are the most popular. The tea is rich with a hint of fruity fragrance. It is a popular gift choice. Besides tasting the local teas, you might take a stroll around the village and enjoy the lovely tea gardens and inhale the tea-scented breezes in this slow-paced paradise. Tea picking experiences are also available upon reservation. Put on your tea picking outfit and learn to pick tea using the one-tip two-leaf method. The fresh scent of tea will give you a burst of energy. (Photo Credit:Taitung County Government)
Address: No. 308 Guangrong Rd. Longtien Village, Luye Township, Taitung County (Longtien Development Association)
Phone Number: 0919-551-259 (reservation required)
Suggested Duration: 2 hours
Official Website
4th Stop Aromatherapy to heal your body and soul: Fun Things How May Aroma House
Do you get sick easily or find it hard to relax? Aromatherapy doesn’t burden your body in any way, but only brings good vibes and happiness. If you’re in Taitung, consider visiting Fun Things How May Aroma House to experience the magical powers of natural scents.
Aromatherapy uses incense, massage, and other methods to relieve stress and negative energy to promote good health. Fun Things How May Aroma House is the first aromatherapy center catering specifically towards patients, and eldercare individuals. A group of aromatherapists partnered with Taitung St. Mary’s Hospital in 2009 to help the victims of Typhoon Morakot relax their bodies and souls after the flood. They applied aromatherapy to clinical work and have accumulated vast experience to this date. They have expanded their services to the general public and developed multiple essential oils with various healing properties. The three types of massages available are Fun Things How May massage, neck and shoulder massage, and foot massage. The massages will help relieve shoulder and neck tension, constipation, emotional stress, and other physical discomforts. The calming and peaceful scents will seep into every inch of your skin to help relax your whole body and make you feel fresh and whole again. (Photo Credit:FB@ Fun Things How May Aroma House)
Address: No. 106 Xinyi Rd, Taitung City, Taitung County
Phone Number: 089-330-958
Hours of Operation: 09:00–18:00 (Closed on Sundays)
Official Website
5th Stop Scent of the Pacific: Dulan Seascape Platform
The ocean may be the end of the land, but it is the beginning of thoughts. When you stand before the vast blue ocean, feel the ocean breeze in your hair, and smell the salty ocean scent, you’ll feel an unexplainable calmness in your heart. The Dulan Seascape Platform is surrounded by breathtaking views. There are no obstacles around, allowing visitors to take in a full 180-degree ocean view. There is even a swing facing the Pacific Ocean you can relax on. This location is a hidden gem with few tourists, making it the perfect place to have a peaceful and quiet afternoon sunbathing in the ocean breeze. Close your eyes and breathe in the breath of the ocean, relax your mind and listen to the gently crashing waves for a happy little afternoon. (Photo Credit:IG@shinchen_0630)
Address: Donghe Township, Taitung County
Suggested Duration: 1 hour
6th Stop Bring home Taitung’s fragrance – The Small Village Far Far Away
Scents are mysterious and magical. A unique scent can link your memories in time and bring us back to a specific point in time. The Small Village Far Far Away is located in Shangde Village, Hedong Township, lives up to its name. It is located in the valleys; visitors must cross through winding mountain roads to reach the store. The basin topography makes the area seem like a fairy wonderland. The shop has its own herb garden. They use local Taiwanese herbs and medicinal herbs as main ingredients to create natural shovel gels, mosquito repellent, dish soap, and more. No artificial scents are added to ensure that only the freshest and most natural smells can be found in their products, making it the most unique Taitung gift you can buy. You can also make a reservation to experience creating your own scent and learn about perfume making. You will be able to make a unique shower gel or lotion in this course. Let Taitung’s scent take you on this relaxing and memorable journey. (Photo Credit:IG@ceciliawang1103)
Address: No. 71 Qianliao, Shangde Village, Donghe Township, Taitung County
Phone Number: 0965-816-090
Hours of Operation: 09:00–17:00 (Please make a reservation)
Official Website