Luye Township is situated in central Taitung County, in the southern section of the East Rift Valley. It borders Guanshan Township to the north, Haiduan Township to the northwest, Donghe Township to the east, and Yanping Township to the west and south.
Luye Township is primarily an agricultural region, with most residents engaged in farming. Its main crops include tea leaves and pineapples. Every year, from July to August, the Luye Highland hosts the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, attracting many visitors who come to experience the unique thrill of hot air balloon rides.
(Photo credit: @a_tainan2002)
Rediscovering the Rhythm of the Land by Taking Life Slow
Luye, meaning “a plain populated by deer,” has witnessed waves of migration by various groups since the late Qing Dynasty. Indigenous Amis communities, Plains Indigenous peoples, and, later, Japanese settlers all left their marks, forming agricultural industries such as sugarcane and coffee. Historical features including Japanese-style street layouts and irrigation canals have survived to the present. After World War II, retired military personnel from mainland China also settled here, further enriching Luye’s cultural diversity.
(Photo credit: @backpackerdog_hostel)
(Photo credit: @kltw2016)
Today, Luye is known for its Cittaslow lifestyle, emphasizing organic agriculture, community revitalization, and cultural preservation. From the restored Japanese-era shrines and the Luye Hakka Fabric Lantern Workshop to the Taiwan International Balloon Festival and paragliding activities, Luye weaves tradition and innovation into a tapestry of the vitality and aesthetics of rural life. Whether cycling through tea fields, savoring Indigenous cuisine, or spending a few quiet hours in the local library, Luye invites visitors to slow down and enjoy a sustainable and livable cultural community.
The Intertwined Aromas of Red Oolong and Pineapple in Luye
One of Luye’s most distinctive flavors is Red Oolong Tea, known for its ripe fruit and honeyed aromas. The tea leaves undergo a higher degree of oxidation and roasting, combining the lingering sweetness of oolong tea with the rich body of black tea. Cold-brewed and hot versions each reveal different layers of flavor. Local tea farmers have also developed Red Oolong tea bags, tea-infused snacks, and desserts, bringing the fragrance once found in hillside tea gardens into everyday food and local souvenirs.
(Photo credit: 台東紅烏龍)
(Photo credit: Buoya Tea)
(Photo credit: Imagine Taitung)
Luye’s sunny climate also allows its pineapples to develop a full, natural sweetness. Besides being enjoyed fresh, they are made into dried fruit, jam, pastries, and frozen desserts, extending the flavor of the harvest season. Tea and fruit may offer very different aromas, but both reflect Luye’s changing seasons and agricultural rhythm. From a cup of Red Oolong Tea to a bite of pineapple pastry, these subtle fragrances and flavors reveal the character of this farming township in the East Rift Valley.
