Beinan Township borders Taitung City and boasts a prime location with both convenient transportation and rich natural resources. Chulu Ranch, with its vast grasslands and Holstein dairy cows, is a family-friendly outdoor destination. Zhiben Hot Springs, known for their high-quality alkaline bicarbonate waters, are a popular spot for relaxation, especially when paired with nearby attractions like the forest park and Baiyu Waterfall. Geological formations such as the Liji Badlands and Little Huangshan make excellent sites for geological research and ecological observation. The Fushan–Shanyuan Marine Conservation Area preserves a pristine intertidal zone and features trails for observing marine life up close. Beinan is also home to several Indigenous villages. In spring, cherry and apricot blossoms bloom across the forests, where natural beauty and cultural heritage merge to reveal Beinan’s unique vitality.
(Photo credit: @neolu4444)
The name Beinan originates from the Beinan word “Puma”, meaning “respectful address,” in honor of the 19th-century Beinan chieftain Pinara, who was celebrated for his wisdom in governance, establishing social systems, and at one time ruling the entire Taitung Valley as a legendary figure. The term “Punuyuma” means “to gather and unite,” which later evolved into the ethnonym “Puyuma”, symbolizing cohesion and autonomy.
(Photo credit: @fairytsai_)
Since the Qing dynasty, Beinan has undergone several administrative changes: from the Beinan Subprefecture during the Qing, to the Beinan Village Office under Japanese rule, and later designated as Beinan Township after the war. However, the present-day administrative district of “Beinan” is not within Beinan Township but rather included in Taitung City, making it a rare case in Taiwan’s place-name evolution.
(Photo credit: @fairytsai_)
The township embodies deep cultural integration, where Bunun, Puyuma, and other Indigenous peoples coexist alongside the legacy of Han settlers. This land preserves collective memory and diverse cultural contexts—through village stories, language transmission, and local beliefs—offering profound insights into Taitung’s multicultural identity.
From Ranches to Orchards: The Sweet Flavors of Beinan at the Entrance to the Rift Valley
Beinan Township sits at the southern entrance of the East Rift Valley, where the land rises from plains to rolling hills and terraces, nurturing a wide variety of farm and pasture products. Among these, the most representative is Chulu Ranch in Mingfeng Village. Nestled on rolling hillsides, the ranch offers a pastoral scene rarely seen in Taiwan, where dairy cows graze leisurely on expansive, open pastures. The fresh milk produced at the ranch has a rich flavor and a mild, creamy aroma. It is also used to make treats such as fresh milk buns, fresh milk popsicles, and fresh milk slices, letting visitors taste fresh local flavors amid the greenery. For many, a trip to Chulu is not only about the scenery but also a way to get to know Beinan through taste.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Heading downhill from the ranch, the pastoral scenery of Beinan gives way to expanses of orchards. The township is one of Taitung’s key sugar apple growing areas, and the atemoya, known locally as the pineapple sugar apple and in season during winter, is especially distinctive. A cross between the sugar apple and the cherimoya, the atemoya has firmer flesh with a balanced sweet-tart flavor, and its good storage life allows it to be exported from Taitung to overseas markets. Farmers prune, pollinate, and bag the fruit according to the seasons, carefully tending each one until the winter harvest. From the hillside ranch to the orchards on the plains, Beinan’s local products reflect a slow, seasonal rhythm of life in which people work in harmony with the land.
(Photo credit: foodNEXT)
